The Antiquities of Egypt - With a Particular Notice of Those That Illustrate the Sacred Scriptures #252068

The northern portion was called Lower Egypt and here once stood the other great capital °of the whole empire, Memphis. But the three great pyramids of Ghizeh, the colossal sphynx in their neighbourhood, and the tombs hewn in the rocky platform on which they are erected, are the only remains of its former greatness: The hand of the spoiler has pressed heavily upon it, and the site of ancient Memphis is now covered with a forest of date palms. The vicinity of Egypt, however, to the land of Canaan, from which it is only separated by the portion of Arabia Petraea which extends to the shores of the Mediterranean, is the circumstance in its geographical position which renders its history and antiquities so peculiarly interesting and important. The Greek historians often allude to the relations, literary, political and commercial, that had at all times existed between the two countries, and their consequent interchange of manners and customs. But we know the fact upon far better authority. The Scrip tures of truth inform us that the oriental name of Egypt, D'fi'm. Mizraim, is also that of the third son of Ham, by Whose descendants it was first peopled, as well as the neighbouring countries. They also inform us that it was Canaan, the first born of Ham, who gave his name to the country which was afterwards colonized by his family, Gen. X. 6. 13. 20. This affinity would itself tend to pro mote close intercourse between the two neighbouring nations, Egypt and Canaan.