THE TEMPLE OF BELUS. 
325 
of this temple, besides numerous statues in massy gold; and 
Diodorus Siculus describes one of forty feet high; which our 
learned Prideaux, on very good grounds, assumes to have been 
that which Nebuchadnezzar set up on high on the plain of 
Dura. It is not improbable that the treasury of all these im¬ 
mense stores, was to be found within the great pile itself; 
somewhere between the present summit of the solid structure 
that remains, and the superior towers which held the peculiar 
chambers of the god. It, indeed, appearing reasonable to de¬ 
duce, from the relic of an interior wall being yet extant on the 
summit of the third tower or stage, that all others from that 
point would be of a similarly heightened superstructure; that is, 
be divided into apartments, for various uses attendant on the 
immediate service of the idol and his treasury. Hence, the im¬ 
mense tract of mound, described as exactly facing the eastern 
projection of the great pile, seems well placed to have sustained 
the habitations of the chief ministers, sacerdotal or otherwise, 
required to officiate in the sacred rites, or to take charge of the 
sacred property. 
The only objects now seen above its desolate surface, are two 
small Mahomedan buildings, called Koubbes ; meaning oratories, 
or places of prayer. The one bears the name of Makam Ibra- 
ham Khali, the other that of Makam Saheb Zeman ; but botli 
are nearly in ruins. Standing on this supereminent mound, as 
a central position, from it I made my observations on all the 
remains yet visible within what must have been the great en¬ 
compassing quadrangle of the sacred enclosure. The great 
mound, and the great tower, occupied the interior space of the 
quadrangle, with a large open area stretching on all sides of 
them ; but, on looking towards the north, where the area 
