History of Egypt, Chaldæa, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, Volume 4 (of 12) by Gaston Camille Charles Maspero
page 24 of 342 (07%)
page 24 of 342 (07%)
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[Illustration: 029.jpg THE RUINS OF BABYLON] Drawn by Boudier, from a drawing reproduced in Hofer. It shows the state of the ruins in the first half of our century, before the excavations carried out at European instigation. The vestiges of a few buildings remain above the mounds of rubble, and as soon as the pickaxe is applied to any spot, irregular layers of bricks, enamelled tiles, and inscribed tablets are brought to light--in fine, all those numberless objects which bear witness to the presence of man and to his long sojourn on the spot. But these vestiges are so mutilated and disfigured that the principal outlines of the buildings cannot be determined with any certainty, and afford us no data for guessing their dimensions. He who would attempt to restore the ancient appearance of the place would find at his disposal nothing but vague indications, from which he might draw almost any conclusion he pleased. [Illustration: 030.jpg PLAN OF THE RUINS OF BABYLON] Prepared by Thuillier, from a plan reproduced in G. Rawlinson, _Herodotus_ Palaces and temples would take a shape in his imagination on a plan which never entered the architect's mind; the sacred towers as they rose would be disposed in more numerous stages than they actually possessed; the enclosing walls would reach such an elevation that they must have quickly fallen under their own weight if they had ever been carried so high: the whole restoration, accomplished without any certain data, |
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