Page "Bubastis" Paragraph 6

:" Temples there are more spacious and costlier than that of Bubastis, but none so pleasant to behold.

It is after the following fashion.

Except at the entrance, it is surrounded by water: for two canals branch off from the river, and run as far as the entrance to the temple: yet neither canal mingles with the other, but one runs on this side, and the other on that.

Each canal is a hundred feet wide, and its banks are lined with trees.

The propylaea are sixty feet in height, and are adorned with sculptures ( probably intaglios in relief ) nine feet high, and of excellent workmanship.

The Temple being in the middle of the city is looked down upon from all sides as you walk around ; and this comes from the city having been raised, whereas the temple itself has not been moved, but remains in its original place.

Quite round the temple there goes a wall, adorned with sculptures.

Within the inclosure is a grove of fair tall trees, planted around a large building in which is the effigy ( of Bast ).

The form of that temple is square, each side being a stadium in length.

In a line with the entrance is a road built of stone about three stadia long, leading eastwards through the public market.

The road is about broad, and is flanked by exceeding tall trees.

It leads to the temple of Hermes.