Page:A History of Art in Ancient Egypt Vol 1.djvu/537

 General Characteristics of the Egyi'tian Temple. 441 Greek temple was not isolated and hidden behind a stone curtain ; it could be seen from all sides in its commanding position ; its encircling band of porticos seemed to invite all comers to the shelter of their galleries, while they charmed all eyes with the play of light and shadow afforded by their alternate voids and solids. The colonnades reserved by the Egyptian for the decoration of courts and halls were placed by the Greek upon the external faces of his temples, and although the task of both Fig. 255. — The godde;s Anouke suckling Rameses II., IJeit-Wali ; from Iloreaii. architects was to fulfil almost identical requirements, this trans- position of the elements employed was sufficient to cause a profound difference in the outward expression, in the physiognomy, of their several works. Another and perhaps still more characteristic diff,i'ence is to be found in the fact that the Greek temple is not susceptible, VOL. T.