You know, relatively speaking, things were pretty good for ancient Egyptian women. Especially when compared to some of the other cultures during the same time period. Except for them not being allowed to become pharaoh (though there were even some who managed to do that with the right circumstances), most women were considered to be equals to men in regards to the law. They could own property, borrow money, sign contracts, initiate divorce, appear in court as a witness, etc. And while men were still considered to be the head of the household, the non-royal women were considered to be in charge of running the home and men were encouraged to let them do it without interference. And then there was the issue that love and affection was considered to be an important aspect of marriage, so a lot of the men married a woman because they cared about them rather than because they needed an heir quick. Women could also manage farms and businesses when their husbands or sons were away. Or they could be professional mourners, perfume-makers, acrobats, singers, dancers, or musicians and these careers were considered respectable. Then there were the priestesses, which came from the noble class. A few were even business owners and doctors. And a lot of the Great Wives ended up wielding quite a bit political and diplomatic power. Compared to a lot of cultures during the time period, women had things pretty good.
Of course, Kahmunrah doesn't really consider his sisters to be important since they can't inherit the throne like he can. Which kind of gives him a low opinion on most women's importance. Of course, he considers Shepsheret to be important due to the whole "I want to make Mother and Father proud of me" thing that most kids have. And he prefers Raia to any of the other servants and will listen to her somewhat. But for the most part, he doesn't really see their importance beyond the obvious. On the other hand, he doesn't really have a much better opinion of Ahkmenrah either, so it isn't so much that he thinks women are less important as it he thinks almost everyone is less important.
And no, I don't own Hatshepsut. She was a real person. And no, she isn't really the daughter of Merenkahre, but I kind of erased her real father from existence when I added these characters to the line of succession. So since Thutmose I was replaced by Merenkahre, he gets to be her replacement parent in the story. Anyway, on with the story. Please enjoy.
The quarters for the women of the royal family were separate from those for other members of the household. It made sense since the pharaoh had several wives and they could not all dwell with him at the same time. So they stayed with the unmarried women. This arrangement prevented any whispers of disloyalty or rumors that their children were anything less than truly legitimate. The only time a male would live in these quarters was when a prince was especially young and still in need of both their mother and wet-nurse's attention.
This meant that Aneksi rarely saw her husband even before Kahmunrah left to join the army two years ago. And perhaps that was a good thing. She'd been very young when the prince left to live in his own quarters, but she remembered he was temperamental even then. Rarely when the wives and mothers could see, but the younger princesses knew better than to question his word or to comment on the strange way he spoke. And some whispered that the day his companion Thuity ended up battered and bleeding was not truly an accident. Those whisperers later wondered if his journey to Memphis to join the temple of Sokar was due to Kahmunrah wishing to be rid of him or if the scribe's son wished to escape the prince by any manner possible. Regardless, there was something about the elder prince that made some uneasy.
And Aneksi was his wife. True, they were only married in word so far and not action. She was still a child, her body not yet ready for motherhood. But someday she would be grown and he would return from the fields of battle. And some already wondered if he might be cruel in private and away from prying eyes. What could be more private than in the bed chamber with his wife?
She dreaded the day he would return. She didn't know what the future might hold, but she feared it. Even though there were few men worthy of marrying the daughters of a pharaoh, Aneksi wished her husband was another. She could have been wed to Ahkmrenrah or a high-born member of nobility that was close to the family. Or she could have even been sent as a bride to a foreign land to marry their ruler and promote peace between their lands. Even the perils of distant, unknown lands sounded better than being the wife of Kahmunrah.
"Sister, you are brooding again," said someone behind her, drawing Aneksi out of her thoughts.
She turned to see her sister, Hatshepsut, stepping around the column to join Aneksi as she stared out towards the garden. The other princess was a beautiful and strong-willed girl. Aneksi always liked her. She was easier to talk with than some of their other sisters.
"I was not brooding, Hatshepsut," she said. "I was merely thinking."
She gave Aneksi a knowing smile, "Do not fret about Kahmunrah. He is far away and will not return for some time. Whether or not he changes for the better while he is gone does not matter. You may be his wife and you may someday bear his son, but that does not mean you will have to be with him at all times. He will have other wives and you will have other duties within the household. A few of Father's wives rarely see him, after all. Even if you are his Great Wife, that does not mean you must be like Shepsheret and stand by his side during most hours of the day."
Aneksi relaxed slightly at her elder sister's words. When Hatshepsut spoke, it was easy to believe that she was right. Perhaps she did not need to worry as much about what the future might bring. Time may change Kahmunrah's temperament or he may choose to avoid her company. Regardless, it was a worry for another day. It would be best to pray to Isis for her blessing over the marriage and to enjoy the time he was away until then.
"Come, Aneksi," urged Hatshepsut. "Leave these darker thoughts behind. It is a beautiful day and one that should not be spent in such a manner. Let us go. I am certain that if we sneak down to the kitchen, one of the servants will take pity upon us and will be generous enough to offer dates and honey."
"May I come?" asked Ahkmenrah, startling the two girls as he stepped into view.
"How long have you been listening, brother? Sneaking around entrances is not the action of a member of the royal family," said Hatshepsut.
Aneksi hoped he didn't hear much. So far, the younger prince adored his elder brother. He never heard the whispers about Thuity's "accident" and he rarely saw Kahmunrah's temper flare beyond an occasional sharp tongue. He never commented on his elder brother's lisp and Kahmunrah avoided Ahkmenrah's presence when they were younger, so he never had the opportunity. And now that the elder prince was gone, there was no reason to disillusion him and destroy his admiration of his brother and future pharaoh.
"I only arrived a moment ago to hear you mention a trip to the kitchen," said Ahkmenrah. "I did not mean to listen to conversations I should not. Was it supposed to be a secret?"
Hatshepsut shook her head and smiled at the boy. There was a slight warmth in her expression and the way the prince glanced down briefly made Aneksi wonder. Was she seeing a hint of Hathor's blessing on them? Could there be the start of love between them?
True, Ahkmenrah still wore the side-lock of youth, having lived through only seven floodings of the Nile. And it was true that Hatshepsut was five years his elder, her mother Ahmose giving birth to her nearly twelve floodings before. But that was the same age difference as Aneksi and Kahmunrah, though he was the elder in the pairing instead. The differences in age were even greater between Pharaoh Merenkahre and Shepsheret. And though there was no great hurry for the younger prince to gain a wife, they might someday make a fine match. At least they seemed fond of one another, which was better than Aneksi's feelings towards her own husband.
"While we did not intend to tell anyone, it was not truly secret," said Hatshepsut. "If you wish to come with us, you shall be welcomed. I doubt that another person will ruin our plans. There should be plenty of honey and dates for three."
The boy smiled, "Then we shall have to hurry. I have lessons soon and Hekaib would not be happy if I was late."
With that last remark, the trio of royal children scurried back into the depths of the palace. Aneksi did notice, however, that Ahkmenrah was holding Hatshepsut's hand as they headed towards the kitchen.
Serving Sokar was proving to be a far better life than Thuity expected. Far from the palace and wherever Kahmunrah was sent, the scribe's son felt more at peace than he ever imagined. With his scrawny build and higher education, none expected him to craft the gold artifacts that were blessed by the god. Instead, once he was initiated into the temple and was taught the proper rituals to serve Sokar, they were eager to have him record the essential prayers in writing, document the more intricate and valuable creations, and to organize the scrolls of information that already dwelled within the temple. Thuity thanked Sokar every day for his good fortune at finding a way to serve that suited his skills and preferences so well.
It also served his other purpose at the temple. Kahmunrah bid him to seek out knowledge that would help the future pharaoh, to find out about the tablet they crafted and to find secrets that would give him power. And Thuity did not dare disappoint him. So with his role within the temple, Thuity watched and listened to those around him. But mostly, he lurked in the dark hours of the night and read the scrolls by the flickering light of the flame. If any should ask, he would claim that the prince sought his council on a topic and he merely was searching for an answer. And such a statement would be mostly true, so Ma'at would not be greatly angered. But no one asked and so Thuity never had to answer.
He sent regular messages to Kahmunrah, even after several years in Memphis. While he knew for a fact that the prince's reading and writing skills were weak, Thuity also knew that he would easily find someone who possessed those skills and who could keep the contents of the messages secret. So Thuity knew the prince would be informed of all he learned within the temple of Sokar, regardless of his weak reading ability.
When Thuity learned that the craftsmen and priest who Pharaoh Merenkahre housed for several years crafted a magical tablet of such unique and unmatched power and that it was intended for the younger prince, he understood why Kahmunrah sent him. It also made him remember the story of the Book of Thoth, but the lack of divine punishment suggested that none of the spells on the golden creation were too powerful to be meant for mortal man. He sent all that he could learn about the tablet to the future pharaoh, though Thuity knew it could not be replicated. And once he shared all that he could find on that artifact, Thuity searched the scrolls for something equal or greater that could serve Kahmunrah's needs. Perhaps if the elder prince was provided a magical object that exceeded his sibling's, his rage and jealously would dim.
But thus far, Thuity's hunt was fruitless. Even a few careful questions into a few sympathetic and friendly ears revealed nothing that could compare to the golden tablet crafted in Ahkmenrah's name. And with each passing year and with each message from Kahmunrah, Thuity knew the prince's displeasure was growing.
As Thuity examined a final scroll for the night, one that he'd nearly missed due to being shoved to the back of a shelf and buried in dust, he abruptly realized it was a miraculous gift. He did not know whether to thank Thoth or Sokar for the good fortune granted that night, so he quickly sent a prayer of thanks to both. After searching every night with the same dedication that Ra faced Apep with during the nightly journey through the underworld, Thuity had found what he'd been looking for.
Quietly and carefully, he studied the description written on the scroll. Hours passed as Thuity read and copied the hieroglyphs. He would send all the necessary information to Kahmunrah and see what he wanted to be done.
Thuity did not realize how long he'd been working until he was no longer alone. A brief movement from the corner of his eye caused the young man to spin around, startled at the new arrival. Next to the shelves stood Nasser, the temple's high priest. The man looked curious about Thuity's presence, but the expression of sympathy was stronger.
"What are you doing here so early, Thuity? The light of Ra shall not reach us for some time," remarked Nasser.
Rather than admit he'd been there all night, Thuity said, "I am simply eager to perform my duties to the one I obey."
And it was true. But he was not the only serving Sokar's will, but also the future pharaoh's. Speaking the truth without revealing too much was far wiser than telling falsehoods. He did not wish for his heart to grow heavy with lies and doom himself to oblivion in death.
"I know that you once lived in Thebes before you came here," said Nasser. "I know your family still dwells within the palace, your scribe father serving the pharaoh and his family. News has just arrived from Thebes that disease has struck the city harder than usual. It is even harming those within the palace walls. I was uncertain if you would wish to risk sickness to return there in case prayers to Sekhmet and the care of physicians are not enough and your family should fall victim to the plague. Those within the temple understand the obligations to your family should you need to arrange for their care or burial should the gods be unkind. The choice is yours."
Fears of disease within the palace reaching his family did briefly slither around Thuity's mind, but he knew traveling to Thebes would not help. He served Sokar, not Sekhmet. There were no spells or treatments he knew that could heal them. And just because disease was near them did not mean it would harm them. Thuity knew his family possessed well-crafted protective amulets. They could easily escape the worst ravages of illness. Until news reached him that they were truly sick, he would remain at the temple.
Besides, Kahmunrah would be unhappy if he left Memphis before he was allowed.
"While a generous offer, High Priest of Sokar, I feel that my place is here and that I could do greater good in the temple than if I were to leave," he said.
Nasser nodded, "Your devotion to Sokar is admirable. Let no one ever doubt that your place is among us. You may have joined the temple later in life, but you have served Sokar well since your arrival."
"I know my role and who I serve. Obedience and dedication easily follows."
Kahmunrah stepped off the battlefield, flicking the blood off his Khopesh. He could and occasionally did dual wield the weapons, but he generally preferred using a single blade. It let him concentrate on putting more force behind his blows. There were several men on the battlefield that no longer possessed a head due to his skills. Though he initially resented his father sending him away to the army years ago, the prince was flourishing.
Between training alongside the various battle-hardened soldiers and the minor skirmishes with trouble-making groups of bandits, Kahmunrah learned more about combat, planning attacks, and ruthless choices than he could have ever imagined. And he learned that nothing could ensure unquestioning loyalty and obedience quite like following a man into battle; not fear, reverence, nor knowledge that he would someday rule all of Egypt. The guards intended to protect him often ended up being inadvertently saved by his blade. The common soldiers who saw him command from the field of combat while splattered in the blood of his enemies were always quick to rally around him and throw their lives away to serve his cause. It was glorious.
The lesson his father wanted him to learn was clear. Prove your strength with violence and ruthlessness in all situations and everything else would fall into place. His future throne was more secure than ever since he'd won the hearts and mind of so many trained warriors. Father would be proud.
But not long after witnessing the Nile rise for the seventeenth time in his life, Kahmunrah was dealt a true challenge to prove himself. Back when his father first took up the throne, he went forth and dealt with the Kush. He killed their king and appointed Turi to serve as Viceroy of Kush. This expanded and strengthened the lands that he ruled. It was not long after that his son was born. For a time, all was well and the Kush remained as they should. Recently, however, groups of rebels were testing their limits and it would only grow worse whenever Kahmunrah took the throne. A new ruler would bring them hope of victory over the Egyptians and more might choose to join them. Kahmunrah would not allow that to happen. The prince and the forces he led into battle with Pharaoh Merenkahre's blessing were meant to dissuade them of that notion.
Kahmunrah led his men to where the rebels awaited and slaughtered anyone in sight.
Feeling rather pleased with his accomplishments, the prince slipped into the tent that was set up for him. Waiting inside was a scroll delivered earlier by one of his preferred messengers, one that was swift and silent about his travels between Kahmunrah and the Temple of Sokar in Memphis. He would have read it before, but battle was far more important and entertaining. Besides, he needed to wait for someone anyway.
While the Khepresh on his head and the Khopesh in his hand were comfortable by this point rather than a burden, Kahmunrah did take a moment to sit down and relax. He even took a moment to drink some wine. Victory, especially one as impressive as this one, was always worth a small celebration.
Thankfully, he didn't have to wait too long. Racing into the tent, Sneferu did not look like he belonged on the battlefield. He seemed too short and skinny to be a warrior. He was normally kept in the back ranks during combat for that reason. But he was fast, nimble, and vicious with a blade when pushed. And most importantly, he was literate and absolutely obedient to the prince. The scar on his neck and his missing fingers on his left hand from the time he tried to steal a small trinket from Kahmunrah and was barely spared his life ensured that he would not betray the man's secrets. The former thief would always do as he was ordered and would always keep his secrets.
"What does Thuity report this time?" asked the prince as Sneferu picked up the scroll.
"He claims he has found reference to an object that should give you the power to conquer any lands that you might choose, ensuring that you would be remembered as the greatest pharaoh who ever ruled," he reported, reading the message carefully.
"Indeed?" said Kahmunrah, tilting his head slightly. "And what object would that be?"
"A gate to the underworld," Sneferu read. "And if it was created correctly and was provided with enough power, it would summon an army that belongs to Sokar and allow you to command it."
The prince smiled at the idea. He could already do so much with an army of mortals. What could he accomplish with one that belonged to a god? He could conquer anyone. Or everyone. All those treaties, alliances, and other wasteful strategies would be unnecessary. He could rule more than just Egypt. He could conquer the entire world.
"Can it be made? Since no past pharaoh has used such a gate before, I assume that it is difficult to craft."
Sneferu said, "It would take time and patience, but he believes that finding craftsmen who could perform such a task and who would serve you loyally could done. The magic necessary to connect the gate to the underworld is what would be the most difficult."
"So how does he propose to power this gate? It would indeed have to be very strong magic and I do not know if a priest of Isis would be easily swayed to help," remarked Kahmunrah.
"It would take a direct blessing from the gods themselves, according to Thuity's message. He also puts forth a solution. He writes that from his research on the tablet that he believes it should serve that purpose quite well. You can take an object meant for your brother and use it for yourself."
That certainly held potential. The tablet shouldn't belong to Ahkmenrah in the first place. He didn't deserve it. He didn't even deserve to…
"My prince," called a voice from outside the tent, interrupting his thoughts. "A grave message from Thebes."
Another messenger ran into the tent before kneeling before the young man. While momentarily annoyed by the interruption, Kahmunrah acknowledged his presence after a brief hesitation. The lack of scroll suggested that the message was one committed to the man's memory. While easier to prevent another from learning the message, it did require a level of trust in the messenger's memory and loyalty that the prince rarely possessed. He usually just used illiterate men to carry the scrolls.
"What news from the palace do you bring?" he asked.
"A plague upon the city," said the messenger. "Many have been loss to the sickness. I bring grave news that Aneksi, daughter of Pharaoh Merenkahre and wife of Kahmunrah, has died."
How strange. Kahmunrah had witnessed others receive the news of death before. He knew that they always seemed upset at the news, reacting with grief and loss. Some wailed and cried like professional mourners. But he did not feel that pain. He just felt mildly annoyed.
Perhaps it was because he hadn't seen the girl in five years and that she was still a child when he left. They were married and she was considered his wife, but it was little more than a vague knowledge that she would someday bear him an heir in the future. She served no greater purpose than that. Her name meant "she belongs to me" and it was certainly true. She was his wife and half-sister, but that no longer mattered since she was dead. And it barely mattered while she lived. He wasn't happy she was gone, but neither was he sad or angry.
He just didn't really care.
True, it was an inconvenience. He would have to select a new Chief Wife.
Kahmunrah noticed that both the messenger and Sneferu were watching him closely, as if waiting for his reaction. The prince knew he would have to deal with this before he could handle more important matters.
"You have delivered your message," Kahmunrah stated firmly. "Leave me."
"I am sorry, your highness," said the messenger as he backed out of the tent.
Turning towards Sneferu, he ordered, "We will continue this later. I have one last task to complete as the leader of this army before the day is done."
"As you command, my prince," he nodded as Kahmunrah stepped out of his tent.
Waiting a reasonable distance away was his men, gathered in a circle. The prince calmly and evenly approached the crowd of people. His warriors cleared a path for him as he walked, ensuring that he both had a way to the center and that all of them were watching closely.
Awaiting his approach was two of his strongest and most dedicated soldiers. They'd missed the battle, but only because Kahmunrah sent them on a more important task. Between them they held a struggling figure. The man, dressed in fine clothes, had been dragged a long distance and looked very confused. He also appeared to be afraid.
Good.
"Turi, Viceroy of Kush," greeted the prince, making sure to speak loud enough for all to hear. "I am grateful that you could join us."
"Prince Kahmunrah, I am confused," he answered in a shaking voice. "Why have your men brought me here? If you wished to speak with me, all you needed was to ask. I am an obedient and willing servant to the pharaoh."
"Not quite that obedient, it would seem," he said, gesturing towards the bloody and corpse-covered surroundings. "Did you miss the signs of battle on your way here?"
Still clearly confused and afraid, Turi asked, "The rebels against the pharaoh and myself? They are traitors of Kush. I sent word to the pharaoh myself to warn of these uprisings."
"You did not stop them. My father tasked you to look after these lands and these people in his stead. If you had sought them out and silenced these rebels before they could gain strength, then my men would not have needed to travel here to solve the problem. They would not have needed to risk their lives."
There was a brief cheer of agreement from the gathered soldiers in response, but Kahmunrah didn't allow it to distract him. He continued to stare at the viceroy with a slightly friendly smile on his face.
"It is highly important to cut off problems while they are still small and weak. If you allow them to grow and fester, they can become dangerous," said the prince. "And you must continue to strike down on any threat or complication so that it may never rise up against you. You did not stop the rebels when they were merely whispers and rumors, so this is your fault."
"There have always been whispers and rumors, my prince. These people hear stories from their fathers and their grandfathers of the days before the pharaoh claimed these lands," he explained frantically. "But it was never more than talk. There was no way that any could have foreseen that they would grow bold enough for action."
"I would not have waited for them to grow bold," Kahmunrah said simply. "Now, I want you to give me something and I want you to give it to me exactly when I tell you to. You may have utterly failed me, and thus my father. But I am certain that you can do this right."
His confusion and fear clearly growing, "What is it that you wish from me?"
"You will give me a single reason why I should forgive this nearly traitorous failure in your role as Viceroy of Kush and you will give it to me at this very moment," he said with a predatory grin.
"I am sorry, but—"
Kahmunrah was already moving. His Khopesh flashed through the air and chopped into the man's throat. The angle was wrong for a proper decapitation, but blood rushed out of the wound as Turi collapsed onto the sand. There were shouts of shock from the crowd, but the prince didn't truly pay attention.
"You did not give me what I asked when I told you to," he shouted at the dead body. Then, in a quieter voice, he said, "I will be obeyed. And incompetence is never forgiven."
He turned to his crowd of soldiers. Some looked uneasy with what he'd done, but more seemed to accept his actions as the right ones. He was descended from Ra. He was the future ruler of Egypt. Any decision he might make was the right and just choice. No one could question his judgment because divine blood ran through his veins. Most of his warriors understood that. The rest would have to be reminded.
"Let this be a warning to any who would fail their pharaoh," Kahmunrah shouted. "And let us go further and leave a further warning for those who would rebel against Egyptian rule. Kush shall be drenched in blood until Sekhmet herself would be quenched of her thirst. Let us leave a fear in them so that they never seek to raise their fists against us again."
Still filled with the thrill of victory while rested enough that the weariness of battle would not bother them greatly, his words managed to stir the crowd into a cheer of enthusiasm. There would be no armed forces to face this time, but they should be able to make an unmistakable impression on the people of Kush regardless.
As Ra neared the horizon in order to begin his nightly journey through the underworld, the sky was stained red. Kahmunrah smiled as his warriors prepared to continue the campaign. His father would be so proud of what he'd learned since he left the palace.
Quite a bit more time is passing for the characters. It was bound to happen since I have to get them to the ages where they eventually die. But I digress.
The Book of Thoth is part of a story from ancient Egypt, one that sounds more like their version of a cautionary tale rather than an important religious story. It mostly involves a man locating the book (it was hidden inside a gold box inside a silver box inside an ebony/ivory box inside a wooden box inside a bronze box inside an iron box, guarded by scorpions and a deadly serpent, and resting in the deepest part of the Nile). The book, written by Thoth and made of emerald, is said to contain two spells, one of which allows the reader to understand the speech of animals, and one of which allows the reader to perceive the gods themselves. But mortals weren't supposed to possess this knowledge, so the guy and his family were killed and the book was buried with him. Then when the next guy tried to come and claim the book, the ghost of the first man warned him away and showed him horrible visions of what would happen if he should take the book. The second guy was smart enough to seal the book away and even buried the first man's wife and son.
Infectious diseases were rampant in the relatively densely populated Nile valley, where practically the whole population lived within a narrow strip of land along the river, and their incidence was dependent to some degree on the seasons. Smallpox , diarrhea, dysentery, typhoid, jaundice and relapsing fever were responsible for many deaths, above all during spring and summer. The ubiquity of water during the inundation brought with it a different set of ailments, chief among them probably malaria, which were the main cause for mortality in late autumn; while the cooler weather of autumn and winter seems to have favored the outbreak of respiratory illnesses.
A lot of the physicians would also be priests since most treatment involved both magical and medical components. And one of the major deities to call upon when faced with diseases would be Sekhmet. She is mostly views as the harsher aspect of Hathor. She was the goddess of fire, war, vengeance, menstruation (which is kind of amusing considering the previous ones), and medicine. She could either stop or summon plagues, was a patron of physicians and healers, and could be very scary when in battle. She had the titles of "Lady of Terror," "Lady of Life," and "One Who Loves Ma'at and Who Detests Evil." She had a lioness head, dressed in red, and wore a solar disk and a uraeus (the snake thing on Egyptian crowns). She also has a habit of drinking blood of her enemies, that was once used to trick her into getting drunk to stop one of her insane slaughters.
As for the army coming out of the underworld with hawk/falcon heads being connected to Sokar rather than Horus, I have my reasons. Horus might be the son of the ruler of the underworld, but he isn't really mentioned to dwell there. Sokar, who also has a bird head, does live there. Sokar is directly connected to the underworld, so it makes more sense for a gate to the underworld that summons bird-men to be connected to him rather than Horus. At least it makes more sense to me.
And yes, there was some trouble with the Kush in 1493 BC (which would have been when Kahmunrah was 17). That part is based on historical fact. But the part about killing the viceroy and going on to kill more people other than the rebels, that's all Kahmunrah.
I hope you liked this chapter. Remember, reviews are always appreciated.