84 
IJEPARTMENT OF ANTIQUITIES. [GROUKD AND 
NORTHERN GALLERY. 
The larger sculptures ia the Northern Gallery belong to the 
] 8th dynasty, during whose rule Egypt was m a state of great pros- 
perity. It commenced with the expulsion of the Hyksos, or Shepherd 
Kings, from Lower Egypt, and its monarchs extended their conquests 
into ^Ethiopia and Asia, and built great edifices at Thebes. The close 
of this dynasty was troubled by disturbances, caused by a heresy in the 
Egyptian religion, called that of the Disk-worshippers, which has left 
its traces on several monuments in the collection. The principal 
sculptures proceeding Northwards are as follows : — Two statues in black 
granite of King Horus, one representing him under the protection of 
the GodAmen-ra. — Two red granite lions, one having upon it the name 
of King Amenophis III., the other that of one of his successors, as well 
as the name of an Ethiopian monarch; from Mount Barkal in 
Nubia. — The head of a colossal ram, from an avenue of ram-headed 
sphinxes, which led to a gateway built by King Horus at Karnak. — 
Two seated statues in black granite of King Amenophis TIL; Thebes. — 
A sandstone tablet recording the passage of Amenophis III. into 
Ethiopia, the extent of his conquests, and the number of the prisoners 
and slain ; Samneh. — A column, with a capital in the form of lotus 
buds, inscribed with the names of Amenophis HI. and two later 
kings ; Cairo. — Two colossal heads, representing Amenophis III., 
found near the statue called the *' Vocal Memnon,"at Gourneh, Thebes. 
— Several statues of the cat-headed goddess Pasht (Bubastis), inscribed 
with the name of the same monarch ; Karnak. — A black granite sculp- 
ture representing a boat, in which is seated Queen Mautemua, wife of 
Thothmes IV., and mother of Amenophis III. — In the centre of 
the Gallery is a colossal head of King Thothmes III., discovered 
by Belzoni near the granite sanctuary at Karnak: near the head 
is the arm of the same figure, — A stele or monument sculptured on four 
sides ; upon it is represented in bas-relief King Thothmes III., sup- 
ported by the God Muntra and the Goddess Athor ; Karnak. — Small 
limestone statue of the prince Anebta, dedicated by Thothmes III. — In 
the central recess of the East side of the Gallery is fixed the tablet of 
Abydos, an inscription of great value in determining the names and 
succession of the kings of various dynasties. It appears originally to 
have commemorated an offering made by Rameses 11. to his predecessors 
on the throne of Egypt ; and was discovered by Mr. W. Bankes, in 
a chamber of the temple of Abydos, in 1818. In the same part of the 
Gallery are placed some fine specimens of Egyptian painting, repre- 
senting banqueting scenes, fowling, and other subjects of ordinary 
Egyptian life. 
NORTHERN VESTIBULE. 
In this apartment arc placed the monuments of the first twelve 
dynasties of Egyptian monarchs. Though small in size, they have 
considerable interest, being the most ancient sculptures preserved in the 
Museum ; and they show that art had made great progress in the early 
