Note (return) — TWO PERSIAN SCHOOLBOYS.
Reading edition
High above the topmost roofs of even the lofty towers on the walls rose the great sanctuary of the Magi,1 the immense Temple of Bel, visible in all quarters of the city, and seen for miles from every part of the flat plain on which Babylon stood. The huge staircase wound like a serpent round and round the outside of the building to the highest story, which contained the sanctuary itself and also the observatory whence the priests studied the stars.