RUINS OF THEBES. 
163 
ported by columns sculptured in the form of ani- 
mals, while the roof, of an azure colour, was varie- 
gated with stars of gold. Beyond this peristyle, 
another portico, more highly ornamented with 
sculptures than the former, introduced the spec- 
tator 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 
inscription : " 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 author, the sculptures on the walls of 
this monument commemorate the triumphs of this 
prince over the insurgents of Bactria. The most 
celebrated monuments of ancient Thebes are situ- 
ated on the eastern bank of the river, and extend 
from the Arabian village of Luxor or Aksor, men- 
tioned by Abulfeda, to Carnac. Luxor is probably 
the Diospolis of the Greeks, but Carnac may like- 
wise be included in Ptolemy's Great City of Jupi- 
ter. In approaching the ruins of the palace of 
Luxor from the river, two immense obelisks appear 
in the front, and between these and the edifice two 
colossal statues of black granite, about thirty-eight 
feet in height. Of the palace, various magnificent 
colonnades still exist, but some of the wings are 
* Diodorus Siculus a Heyne, Vol. I. p. 145, 
