places, nor even within the limits of cities, except in the case of kings and very distinguished men. The strictness of the religious code against pollution would, however, forbid that even these should be interred in the neighborhood of a temple or sanctuary.
As far back as the era of Abraham, sepulchral monuments are mentioned. When Rachel died, we are told that Jacob "set a pillar upon her grave." The ancient Arabians erected a heap of stones over the dead; but as among the Hebrews such a heap was an indication that the body beneath had been stoned to death, the latter nation, therefore, confined their monuments to a single stone, which it was usual carefully to hew and to ornament with inscriptions.
Although among the early Jews the burning of the body was
