PORTICO OF THE TEMPLE OF DENDERA. 
These magnificent ruins are situated on the western plain of the valley of the Nile, 
and about two miles from the river; they lie not far from the base of the Libyan 
chain of mountains, which here assume forms of a highly picturesque character. 
The Portico of the Temple is lofty enough to be seen from the river. The state 
of its preservation is remarkable, for the parts uninjured by violence are as sharp in 
the sculpture and as vivid in the painting as if they were recently executed; but 
force has been used to obliterate the features of the goddess, to whose worship the 
Temple was dedicated. As it was erected long after the destructive invasion of Cambyses, 
or the civil wars of the Egyptians themselves, these injuries were done, most probably, 
by the Iconoclasts upon the introduction of Christianity into the valley of the Nile; 
for the features of Hat Hor, Athor, or Isis, to whom it is dedicated, which form the 
capitals of the columns in the fagade, have been destroyed, though within the portico 
they have been less injured. The exuberance of hieroglyphic decoration has given a 
character of exceeding richness to the whole Temple: every part of the entablature, 
and every column and its abacus, are covered; but, in execution, the sculpture and 
carving are far inferior to the earlier works of the same class in Egypt; though the 
architecture itself is still grand and imposing, the parts thereof are heavy and almost 
grotesque, still there is a grandeur in its vastness and a beauty in its characteristic 
symmetry. The entablature is enriched with representations of processions and sacri¬ 
fices, in honour of Athor; and, overspreading the entrance in the cove of the cornice, 
the winged globe is extended above the head of the goddess, of whom it is also 
the emblem; whilst, on either side, the wings of similar emblems droop protectingly 
over other heads of Athor, which are supported by emblems of Truth. The winged 
globe is carved and painted in the soffit of the entrance and on the ceiling of the 
portico. 
Dendera is the Tentyra of the Romans; the Tentathor, or abode of Athor, of the 
Egyptians ; the Isis of the Greeks. The gigantic capitals of the columns are quadrifrontal 
representations of the head of Athor, the Egyptian Aphrodite, or Yenus. The Temple 
was commenced by the celebrated Cleopatra and Cassation, her son by Julius Caesar, 
and appropriately dedicated by her to Athor. The building was continued by Augustus; 
and the Emperors, who succeeded him till the time of the Antonines, added to, repaired, 
or adorned, this Temple. The portico was the work of Tiberius, as a Greek inscription 
records on the projecting summit of the cornice, which also mentions that Aulus 
Avillus Flaccus was military governor, or prefect, and Aulus Fulminus Crispus was 
commander of the forces. 
Though it is the most recent of the Egyptian temples, for it was begun at the 
commencement of the Christian era, still, from its magnitude and beauty, it is scarcely 
