GRAND GATEWAY LEADING TO THE TEMPLE OF 
KARNAK, THEBES. 
TITLE VIGNETTE TO VOL. V. 
This stupendous gateway, which is covered with the most elaborate sculpture within 
and without, is situated on the western side of the grand inclosure that surrounded 
the whole of the sacred buildings known as Karnak; it was a wall of sunburnt bricks, 
which may yet be traced. This vast gate is one of two in that wall by which the 
inclosure was formerly entered; they are of immense height, from seventy to eighty 
feet, and are, from the richness of their sculptured decorations as well as brilliancy 
of colour, most striking and impressive. At this gate terminated the grand avenue 
of Sphinxes which extended from Luxor to Karnak, a distance of four miles. 
What must have been the impression given by the glories of these temples on 
entering this sacred inclosure when Thebes was in its greatness! It can only be 
imagined, by those who have contemplated the ruins. How overwhelming must have 
been the effect of the Great Temple itself: its vast extent; the beauties of the smaller 
temples by which it was surrounded; the elaborate enrichments, decorations, and 
paintings ; the sacred character too of the edifices thus enclosed in the midst of the 
vast city of Thebes, whose antiquity is concealed in impenetrable remoteness, yet rich 
in historical associations,— these temples, raised by the mightiest of her Pharaohs, the 
abode of the most wise and profound of those who “were cunning in all the learning 
of the Egyptians.” 
Directly facing the dromos is a propylon, which led by a lateral entrance to the 
Great Hall of Columns, beyond which, on the right, the vast Obelisks still point to the 
“blue serene.” Within the gateway of our view is a smaller gate, on the side of 
which is recorded, in the language and character of the Egyptians, the taking of 
Jerusalem by Shishak, king of Egypt, during the reign of Rehoboam, the son of 
Solomon. 
This view, which is taken from the line of ruined Sphinxes in the foreground of 
the colossal gateway, and at right angles with the great Temple, presents its lateral 
appearance, throughout the entire length, from the great propylon to the Obelisks, and 
offers one of the most impressive views of the ruins of Karnak. 
