The most flourishing period in the history of Thebes was between 1600 and 1100 B. C. Thebes in turn fell into decay, and is now only a small place visited in the course of a trip to Luxor and Karnak. The situation of Thebes is interesting. It lies in the widest section of the Nile Valley, with a broad plain on the west stretching off to the Libyan Mountains. On this plain are the famous statues known as the Colossi of Memnon. Across the Nile, on the east bank, stand the ruins of Luxor and Karnak, and beyond them to the east are the Arabian hills. [Illustration: MEMPHIS Front of the second court of the Ramesseum.] [Illustration: THE COLOSSI OF MEMNON These two gigantic statues stand near the approach of the Temple of Amenophis. One of them is known as the Vocal Memnon. Inscriptions on the vocal statue record the visits of those who were with Hadrian, and of others, and relate that they heard the voice of Memnon. The Colossi are of hard gritstone, monolithic, and forty-seven feet in height, with pedestals twelve feet high. They represent Amenophis III, seated on his throne, and are sixty feet apart.] Notable monuments on the west side are the temples of Seti I, Rameses II and III, which bear the names of El Kurna, the Ramesseum, and Medinet-Abu. Lying by the side of the Ramesseum is the fallen Colossus of Rameses II, the largest statue in Egypt. It is made of pink granite, and is about sixty feet in height--or length, we should now say, since the statue is prostrate. LUXOR Not far from Thebes is the village of Luxor: not much in itself, but just a place to stay while visiting the temples. It is pleasing to note that they have done a good work there in raising the embankment in the hope of keeping the Nile water out of the temples. The bank is steep; for the Nile rises high every year. In olden times these temples were evidently protected from the water by some means; but now it rises half up over them. The Temple of Luxor is one of the most beautiful and interesting in Egypt; though not so imposing as the Temples of Karnak. As you approach you can only see a part of it; for there is a fence up there, and if you want to go through you have to show a ticket. A so-called "monument ticket" can be obtained from the government for about six dollars a year, and this will enable a visitor to see every monument in Egypt. The fund thus raised is used to save the monuments, and every penny of it goes to that work. [Illustration: RAMESES STATUES AT LUXOR] The beauty of the Temple of Luxor is in its splendid colonnade. It must have been superb when in good condition, with colors fresh and bright. KARNAK