Literary notes about Necropolis (AI summary)
Writers use "necropolis" both to denote actual, sprawling burial sites and to evoke a powerful, often supernatural atmosphere. In historical and archaeological narratives, the term labels vast, ancient cemeteries—such as those in Memphis, Thebes, or other storied locales [1], [2], [3], [4], [5]—underscoring the deep connection between place, memory, and mortality. At the same time, literary authors employ it metaphorically to suggest a landscape of dreams, loss, or hidden depths [6], [7], [8], imbuing scenes with an eerie, timeless quality. In each context, the word transcends its literal meaning to evoke mystery and the eternal interplay between life and death.
- Thus at Bou Nouara there is a hill about a mile in length which is a regular necropolis of dolmen-tombs.
— from Rough Stone Monuments and Their Builders by T. Eric (Thomas Eric) Peet - Again, effigies of Osiris, with faces of green wax and their interior full of grain, were found buried near the necropolis of Thebes.
— from The Golden Bough: A Study of Magic and Religion by James George Frazer - Before his time each sacred bull had its separate tomb in a quarter of the Memphite Necropolis known to the Greeks as the Serapeion.
— from History of Egypt, Chaldæa, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, Volume 5 (of 12) by G. (Gaston) Maspero - Necropolis, suburb of Alexandria, iii. 230 , 231 , 236 .
— from The Geography of Strabo, Volume 3 (of 3) by Strabo - Then follows the suburb Necropolis, in which are numerous gardens, burial-places, and buildings for carrying on the process of embalming the dead.
— from The Geography of Strabo, Volume 3 (of 3) by Strabo - A second-hand book-shop always reminds me of a Necropolis.
— from The Book of Khalid by Ameen Fares Rihani - So, before long, we had passed together into a sweet necropolis of dreams, whither, if the Reader care, I will soon take him by the hand.
— from The Book-Bills of NarcissusAn Account Rendered by Richard Le Gallienne by Richard Le Gallienne - The step drew nearer, and a guardian in a braided cap walked listlessly through the room like a ghost stalking through a necropolis.
— from The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton