. The redemption of Egypt. ly designed for the purpose which theywere intended to perform—that is, to preserve the body of thedead king until, after the lapse of ages, his soul should return toit again. Not only so, but the manner in which this designwas executed, shows that skilful workmen were employed underthe direction of men who were conversant with certain principlesof architecture. For in addition to the admirable workman-ship displayed in the setting of the stones, the whole plan of theinterior chambers, with their passages, au-vents, false passages, and P 226 THE REDEMPTION OF EGYPT s
. The redemption of Egypt. ly designed for the purpose which theywere intended to perform—that is, to preserve the body of thedead king until, after the lapse of ages, his soul should return toit again. Not only so, but the manner in which this designwas executed, shows that skilful workmen were employed underthe direction of men who were conversant with certain principlesof architecture. For in addition to the admirable workman-ship displayed in the setting of the stones, the whole plan of theinterior chambers, with their passages, au-vents, false passages, and P 226 THE REDEMPTION OF EGYPT saper-chciiiibers relieving the tomb-cliambor from the super-incumbent mass, show technical skill of the highest degree. Inshort, they oftered an asylum to the body more secret, more safe,and more durable, than that of any other form of tomb. But though this was the first it was not the only purposeof the Pyramid. Besides affording an inviolable asylum to thedead kings body, it was also intended to present a symbol of his. Group of Arabs, with Pyramids in Distance. {Photo, by Mrs. Kat/.) greatness, which should serve to preserve his memory in futureages. Here again, the form of the structure employed Avasdetermined, in part at least, by the conditions under whichit was erected. In the Nile valley the area of cultivable landAvas too small to permit of any part of it being used as aburial ground; and the tombs were therefore erected in desertplaces at a distance from the town. The tombs Avhich were THE PYRAMIDS 227 erected here must, if they were to serve also the purpose ofmonuments, be great objects, vast enough to be seen from along distance. In these circumstances the Pyramid was themost fitting of monumental erections; for its solid mass andsimple outline caused it not only to be seen from a distance,but to lose as little as possible of its original effect when thusseen. The Pyranuds, therefore, were perfectly adapted to fulfilthe purposes which were required of them. But u
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