We
now enter the First Hypostyle Hall, whose extraordinary appearance is due to
the fact that part of the Coptic village of the place was built above it .
Leaving the pavilion, and the other temples to right and left, we pass
straight across the court to where the great pylon still rises to an impressive
height, though its upper portion, with the overhanging cornice, has vanished .
Before us there now lies the Great Temple of Ramses III, which, alone of
the great temples of the New Empire, the native period of Egypt's glory,
survives in a state of reasonable preservation .
This is, of course, the supreme object of interest at Medinet Habu, and
to it most of our attention must be devoted . In approaching it, however, we
have first to pass the pavilion of Ramses III,
About three-quarters of a mile from the Memnon colossi lies the
southernmost group of the long line of mortuary temples which extends along the
whole eastern face of the Theban necropolis .
We next come to the Small Hypostyle Hall, whose roof, in good condition,
is supported by eight papyrus-bud columns . It is decorated with astronomical
figures, and representations of the king before the gods .
The Second Court, which we now enter, though badly ruined, is in better
condition than the First . On the north and south sides it had a double row of
columns,
The great eastern pylon which formed the entrance to the First Court is
now a ruin ; but it was originally 220 feet across the front of its twin towers
.
This great temple, though unfortunately largely ruined, is of such
importance as to deserve a visit to itself, in which case it is most easily
approached by the pathway which leads across the cultivation from the Memnon
colossi and the landing-place on the west bank of the Nile ;