herodotus

That this lake is artificial and formed by digging is self-evident,for about in the middle of the lake stand two pyramids, each risingabove the water to a height of fifty fathoms, the part which is builtbelow the water being of just the same height; and upon each is placeda colossal statue of stone sitting upon a chair. Thus the pyramids area hundred fathoms high; and these hundred fathoms are equal to afurlong of six hundred feet, the fathom being measured as six feet orfour cubits, the feet being four palms each, and the cubits six. Thewater in the lake does not come from the place where it is, for thecountry there is very deficient in water, but it has been broughtthither from the Nile by a canal: and for six months the water flowsinto the lake, and for six months out into the Nile again; andwhenever it flows out, then for the six months it brings into theroyal treasury a talent of silver a day from the fish which arecaught, and twenty pounds[132] when the water comes in. 150. Thenatives of the place moreover said that this lake had an outlet underground to the Syrtis which is in Libya, turning towards the interiorof the continent upon the Western side and running along by themountain which is above Memphis. Now since I did not see anywhereexisting the earth dug out of this excavation (for that was a matterwhich drew my attention), I asked those who dwelt nearest to the lakewhere the earth was which had been dug out. These told me to whatplace it had been carried away; and I readily believed them, for Iknew by report that a similar thing had been done at Nineveh, the cityof the Assyrians. There certain thieves formed a design once to carryaway the wealth of Sardanapallos son of Ninos, the king, which wealthwas very great and was kept in treasure-houses under the earth.Accordingly they began from their own dwelling, and making estimate oftheir direction they dug under ground towards the king's palace; andthe earth which was brought out of the excavation they used to carryaway, when night came on, to the river Tigris which flows by the cityof Nineveh, until at last they accomplished that which they desired.Similarly, as I heard, the digging of the lake in Egypt was effected,except that it was done not by night but during the day; for as theydug the Egyptians carried to the Nile the earth which was dug out; andthe river, when it received it, would naturally bear it away anddisperse it. Thus is this lake said to have been dug out.151. Now the twelve kings continued to rule justly, but in course oftime it happened thus:--After sacrifice in the temple of Hephaistosthey were about to make libation on the last day of the feast, and thechief-priest, in bringing out for them the golden cups with which theyhad been wont to pour libations, missed his reckoning and broughteleven only for the twelve kings. Then that one of them who wasstanding last in order, namely Psammetichos, since he had no cup tookoff from his head his helmet, which was of bronze, and having held it