Page:Discovery and Decipherment of the Trilingual Cuneiform Inscriptions.djvu/63

 1634 and 1638, is extremely meagre and imperfect. He says it was built by 'Sosarinus, who lived in the Median dynasty, the third Imperor from Arbaces, who gave end to Sardanapalus.' It flourished for two hundred and thirty years till destroyed by Alexander. He does not believe that Shiraz was ever a part of Persepolis, thirty miles distant, though the one may have risen out of the other. He remarks that the 'whole basis' or platform 'is cut by incredible toyle out of the solid marble rock twice the compasse of Wyndsor Castle.' It is approached by 'ninety-five easie staires, dissected from the durable black marble,' 'so broad that a dozen horsemen may ride up abreast together.' The total ascent, however, is not more than twenty-two feet, and at the summit is a gate 'engraven with a mightie elephant on one side and a Rhynoceros on the other.' These majestic figures are thirty feet high; and a little beyond are two other piers 'wherein is engraven a Pegasus.' Between them he noticed two columns, and was consequently more accurate than Don Garcia. 'Of like work, bulk and matter are two gallant Towers.' The gate leads to the famous Columns, of which only nineteen now remain standing, and one other below in the plain. 'Howbeit the mines and ground of four score more are yet visible: this great roome was the Hall.' He at first estimated the height of the columns at 'fifteen foote,' but later (1638) he modified this to from fifteen to twenty cubits. And they 'rise beautifully in forty squares or concave parallels; every square has three full inches.' ' Adjoining