by Edgar Allan Poe

Chacun ses vertus --_Crebillon's Xerxes

ANTIOCHUS EPIPHANES is very generally looked upon Gog prophet Ezekiel This honor is, however, more properly attributable to Cambyses, the son of Cyrus And, indeed, the character Syrian monarch does by no means stand in need of any adventitious embellishment His accession throne, or rather his usurpation sovereignty, hundred and seventy-one years coming of Christ; his attempt to plunder the temple of Diana at Ephesus; his implacable hostility Jews; his pollution Holy of Holies; miserable death at Taba, after tumultuous reign of eleven years, are circumstances of prominent kind, and therefore more generally noticed historians time impious, dastardly, cruel, silly, and whimsical achievements which make up the sum total private life and reputation

suppose, gentle reader, now the year world three thousand eight hundred and thirty, , , imagine ourselves most grotesque habitation of man, the remarkable city of Antioch there were, in Syria and other countries, sixteen cities appellation, besides the one I more particularly allude But ours which went name of Antiochia Epidaphne, from its vicinity little village of Daphne, where stood temple divinity built (although about some dispute) by Seleucus Nicanor, the first king country after Alexander the Great, in memory father Antiochus, and became immediately the residence Syrian monarchy flourishing times Roman Empire, it ordinary station prefect eastern provinces; and emperors queen city (among whom mentioned, especially, Verus and Valens) spent here the greater part time But I perceive arrived city itself ascend this battlement, and throw our eyes town and neighboring country

"What broad and rapid river which forces its way, with innumerable falls, mountainous wilderness, and finally wilderness of buildings ? "

Orontes, and only water in sight, exception Mediterranean, which stretches, like broad mirror, about twelve miles off southward has seen the Mediterranean; but let me tell you, few peep at Antioch By few, I mean, few who, like you and me, , same time, the advantages of modern education Therefore cease to regard that sea, and give your whole attention mass of houses that lie beneath us remember now the year world three thousand eight hundred and thirty Were it later -- for example, were it the year Lord eighteen hundred and forty-five, deprived extraordinary spectacle nineteenth century Antioch is -- , Antioch -- in lamentable state of decay been, , totally destroyed, at three different periods, by three successive earthquakes Indeed, the truth, what little former self may then remain, found in so desolate and ruinous state patriarch removed his residence to Damascus well you profit by my advice, making the most of your time in inspecting the premises -- in

-satisfying your eyes

memorials things of fame

That most renown this city -

I beg pardon; I had forgotten that Shakespeare will not flourish for seventeen hundred and fifty years But the appearance of Epidaphne justify me in calling it grotesque ?

" well fortified; and respect is indebted to nature art "

Very true

" prodigious number of stately palaces "

" numerous temples, sumptuous and magnificent, may bear comparison most lauded of antiquity "

All this acknowledge Still an infinity of mud huts, and abominable hovels help perceiving abundance of filth in every kennel, and, were it not over-powering fumes of idolatrous incense, find most intolerable stench Did you ever behold streets so insufferably narrow, or houses so miraculously tall ? What gloom their shadows cast ground ! well the swinging lamps in those endless colonnades are kept burning day; otherwise have the darkness of Egypt time of her desolation

" certainly strange place ! the meaning of yonder singular building ? See ! it towers above all others, and lies eastward of what I take the royal palace "

new Temple Sun, adored in Syria under the title of Elah Gabalah Hereafter very notorious Roman Emperor will institute this worship in Rome, and thence derive cognomen, Heliogabalus I dare say like peep divinity temple not look up heavens; his Sunship there -- not the Sunship adored Syrians That deity found interior of yonder building worshipped under the figure of large stone pillar terminating summit in cone or pyramid, whereby is denoted Fire

"Hark -- behold ! -- those ridiculous beings be, half naked, with their faces painted, shouting and gesticulating rabble ? "

Some few are mountebanks Others more particularly belong race of philosophers The greatest portion, however -- those especially who belabor the populace with clubs -- are the principal courtiers palace, executing as in duty bound, some laudable comicality king's

"But what have we here ? Heavens ! the town is swarming with wild beasts ! How terrible spectacle ! -- how dangerous peculiarity ! "

Terrible, please; but not least degree dangerous Each animal pains to observe, is following, very quietly, wake master Some few, , are led with rope neck, but these are chiefly the lesser or timid species The lion, the tiger, leopard are entirely without restraint They trained without difficulty present profession, and attend upon their respective owners capacity of valets-de-chambre true, occasions when Nature asserts her violated dominions; -- but then the devouring of man-at-arms, or the throttling of consecrated bull, is circumstance of too little moment more than hinted at in Epidaphne

"But what extraordinary tumult do I hear ? Surely loud noise even for Antioch ! It argues some commotion of unusual interest "

Yes -- undoubtedly The king has ordered some novel spectacle -- some gladiatorial exhibition hippodrome -- or perhaps the massacre Scythian prisoners -- or the conflagration new palace -- or the tearing down of handsome temple -- or, indeed, bonfire of few Jews The uproar increases Shouts of laughter ascend the skies The air becomes dissonant with wind instruments, and horrible with clamor of million throats descend, love of fun, going on ! -- be careful ! Here principal street, called the street of Timarchus The sea of people is coming , and find difficulty in stemming the tide pouring alley of Heraclides, which leads directly palace; -- therefore the king is most probably rioters Yes; -- I hear the shouts herald proclaiming his approach pompous phraseology East glimpse person as he passes temple of Ashimah ensconce ourselves vestibule sanctuary; here anon meantime survey this image it ? Oh ! god Ashimah in proper person You perceive, however, that neither lamb, nor goat, nor satyr, neither has he much resemblance Pan Arcadians Yet all these appearances given -- I beg pardon -- given -- learned of future ages, Ashimah Syrians Put spectacles, and tell me what it ?

"Bless me ! an ape ! "