166 
DESCRIPTIONS OF EGYPT. 
with Memnon. Diodorus has left us a description 
of this astonishing edifice. The vestibule, of co- 
loured stone, was two hundred feet in length, and 
sixty-eight feet in elevation. The peristyle was of 
a square form, each of its sides was four hundred 
feet long, supported by columns sculptured in the 
form of animals, while the roof, of an azure colour, 
was variegated with stars of gold. Beyond this pe- 
ristyle, another portico, more highly ornamented 
with sculptures than the former, introduced the 
spectator to the view of three statues, formed of 
one stone, not more remarkable for their gigantic 
size, than for their exquisite workmanship. On the 
largest of these statues was the following proud in- 
scription : " I am Osymandyas, king of kings ! Let 
" him who would know how great I am, and where 
" I repose, surpass my works." * According to 
the same anthor, the sculptures on the walls of this 
monument commemorate the triumphs of this prince 
over the insurgents of Bactria. The most cele- 
brated monuments of ancient Thebes are situated 
on the eastern bank of the river, and extend from 
the Arabian village of Luxor or Aksor, mentioned 
by Abulfeda, to Carnac. Luxor is probably the 
Diospolis of the Greeks, but Carnac may likewise 
be included in Ptolemy's Great City of Jupiter. 
In approaching the ruins of the palace of Luxor 
* Diodorus Siculus a Heyne, Vol. I. p. 145. 
