- Decimius Magnus Ausonius, Roman Poet A. D. 310-395
While it is unclear whether this poet’s general observation of pyramids was inspired by those in Egypt, it is known that Ausonius’ contemporary, Ammianus Marcellinus recorded from Egypt in A. D. 361:
”There are also in this country many things exceedingly worthy of observation, of which it is a good time now to mention a few. Everywhere there are temples of great size. There are seven marvellous pyramids, the difficulty of building which, and the length of time consumed in the work, are recorded by Herodotus. They exceed in height anything ever constructed by human labour, being towers of vast width at the bottom and ending in sharp points.
And their shape received this name from the geometricians because they rise in a cone like fire (πῦρ). And huge as they are, as they taper off gradually, they throw no shadow, in accordance with a principle of mechanics.” Roman History, Book XXII, XV, 28-29.
Original north side photo credit Mark Lehner; Image date and time information courtesy of Glen Dash.
†”The pyramid itself swallows the shadow born on its summit”
Dr. Troglodyte