Sinaitic Peninsula. That part of western Asia lying between Syria and Egypt, and playing an important part in the forty years' sojourn there of the Israelites under Moses. [1] [4] [9] [11]
Sion House Obelisk. Perhaps the same as the Alnwick Castle Obelisk, which see.—Sion House is the country-seat of the Duke of Northumberland. [10]
Sioot. The modern name of the capital of the XIIIth nome of Upper Egypt, called in Egyptian
Soughton Hall Obelisk. An obelisk mentioned by Bonomi, which may be identical with one of those at present in England. [11]
Sphinx. There are three kinds of sphinxes: Androsphinxes, having the head of a man; Criosphinxes, having that of a ram; and Hieracosphinxes, having that of a hawk. A few are also found with the form of a woman. "The Sphinx" is the monster figure in front of the Pyramid of Khufu, but older than it. It was cut out of a solid mountain, and had between its paws a temple of Harmachis, to whom it was dedicated. The sphinx represents the incarnation of the divine wisdom of the Pharaoh [32] [46] [47] [49] [50] [51] [52] [53] [54] [55]
Stele. A slab rounded off on top and covered with inscriptions. It was made either of wood or of stone. The word comes from the Greek στήλη [stêlê]. The Egyptian word for it is
St. Ephraim Syrus. A Christian writer of the Syrian church, who died 373 A. D. [19]
Sta. Maria Maggiore Obelisk. The companion of the Monte Cavallo Obelisk, at present in front of the basilica (church) of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. It has no inscriptions, and was removed to Rome by the emperor Claudius. Sixtus V. re-erected it on its present site in 1587. [9]