Strabo circa 64 BC-19 AD

At the distance of 40 stadia from Memphis is a brow of a hill, on which are many pyramids, the tombs of the kings.64 Three of them are considerable. Two of these are reckoned among the seven wonders [of the world]. They are a stadium in height, and of a quadrangular shape. Their height somewhat exceeds the length of each of the sides.65 One pyramid is a little larger than the other. At a moderate height in one of the sides66 is a stone, which may be taken out; when that is removed, there is an oblique passage [leading] to the tomb.


Pliny

We must make some mention, too, however cursorily, of the Pyramids of Egypt, so many idle1 and frivolous pieces of ostentation of their resources, on the part of the monarchs of that country. Indeed, it is asserted by most persons, that the only motive for constructing them, was either a determination not to leave their treasures to their successors or to rivals that might be plotting to supplant them, or to prevent the lower classes from remaining unoccupied. There was great vanity displayed by these men in constructions of this description, and there are still the remains of many of them in an unfinished state. There is one to be seen in the Nome of Arsinoïtes;2 two in that of Memphites, not far from the Labyrinth, of which we shall shortly have to speak;3 and two in the place where Lake Mœris4 was excavated, an immense artificial piece of water, cited by the Egyptians among their wondrous and memorable works: the summits of the pyramids, it is said, are to be seen above the water.

The other three pyramids, the renown of which has filled the whole earth, and which are conspicuous from every quarter to persons navigating the river, are situate on the African5 side of it, upon a rocky sterile elevation. They lie between the city of Memphis and what we have mentioned6 as the Delta, within four miles of the river, and seven miles and a-half from Memphis, near a village known as Busiris, the people of which are in the habit of ascending them.

The important aspect of this is of course that Cladking already knows this - he has seen this information many, many times.

Diodorus Siculus

The smaller bears no inscription but has steps cut into one side. And though the two kings built the pyramids to serve as their tombs, in the event neither of them was buried in them;



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 12/27/2021 11:32AM by Hans.