'Narrative of a journey to the site of Babylon in 1811, now first published: memoir on the ruins; with engravings from the original sketches by the author: remarks on the topography of ancient Babylon, by Major Rennell; in reference to the memoir: second memoir on the ruins; in reference to Major Rennell's remarks: with narrative of a journey to Persepolis: now first printed, with hitherto unpublished cuneiform inscriptions copied at Persepolis: by the late Claudius James Rich, Esq., formerly the Resident of the Hon. East India Company at Bagdad. Edited by his widow.' [‎8] (35/474)

viii
INTRODUCTION.
most interesting work at Babylon was the Temple
of Belus,* which is said by some authors to have
stood near the old palace. Herodotus, who men- »
tions only one, describes the Temple of Belus as
standing in an enclosed space, in the centre portion
of the city, opposite to the palace. *' It is," says
Herodotus, " a square structure, each side measures
two stadia. Within the enclosure is erected a
solid tower, measuring a stadium both in width
and depth; upon this tower is raised another and
another, making eight in all. The ascent is by a
path which is formed on the outside oi the towers.
Midway in the ascent is a resting-place, furnished
with easy chairs, in which those who ascend repose
themselves. On the summit of the topmost tower
stands a large temple, and in this temple is a great
couch, handsomely fitted up, and near it stands a
golden table. No statue whatever is erected in the
temple. Within the precincts of the Temple ol
Belus," adds the same author, " there is a smaller
edifice on the ground, within which there is an im
mense golden statue of Jupiter in a sitting posture;
around the statue are large tables, which, with the
steps and throne, are all of gold, and, as the Chal
deans affirm, contain 800 talents of gold. Without
* The meaning of Belus is Heaven, God, or Lord, says M. de
St. Croix. Upon which he observes, " The inhabitants of Meso
potamia had not always been idolaters; and though they became
such, they for a long time acknowledged the supremacy of the God of
Nachor, and of Abraham."