Page:A History of Art in Ancient Egypt Vol 2.djvu/34

 T4 A History of Art ix Anxtent Ec;vpt a repetition on a far larger scale of the sdlamlik of an Oriental dwelling. The harem lay farther on, behind gates which were jealously guarded. In it the king passed his time when he was not occupied with war, with the chase, or with the affairs of state. Between the buildings there was space and air enough to allow of the king's remaining for months, or years if he chose, within the boundary walls of his palace ; he could review his troops in the vast courtyards ; he could ride, drive, or walk on foot in the shady gardens ; he could bathe in the artificial lakes and bath-houses. Sometimxes even huntincr-crrounds were included within the outer walls. These facilities and easy pleasures have always been a dangerous temptation for Oriental princes, A long list might be formed of those dynasties which, after beginning by a display of singular energy and resource, were at last enfeebled and overwhelmed in the pleasures of the palace. By those pleasures they became so completely enervated that at last a time came when the long descended heir of a line of conquerors was hurled from his throne by the slightest shock. The tragic history of Sardanapalus, which has inspired so many poets and historians, is a case in point. Modern criticism has attacked it ruthlessly ; names, dates, and facts have all been placed in doubt ; but even if the falsehood of every detail could be demonstrated, it would yet njtain that superior kind of truth which springs from its general applicability — a truth in w^iich the real value of the legend consists. Almost all the royal dynasties of the East ended in a vSardanapalus, for he was nothing more than the victim of the sedentary and luxurious existence passed in an Oriental palace. If we knew more about the internal history of Egypt, we should doubtless find that such phenomena were not singular in that country. The Rammesides must have owed their fall and disappearance to it. The Egyptian palace cannot have differed very greatly from the type we have described, all the character- istic features of which are to be recognised in those edifices which have hitherto been called villas.' There was the same ' Nkstor L'Hotf, — a fine connoisseur, wlio often divined focs which were not finally demonstrated until after his visit to Egypt — also received this impression from his examination of the remains at Tell-el-Amarna : " Details no less interesting make us accjuainted with the general arrangement .... of the king's j^alaces, the l)ortiros and propyhxa by which they were approached, the inner chambers, the