The Sphinx: Book 2 of The Giza Trilogy

The Sphinx is the fictional account of the life of Pharaoh Khafre and the construction of the Sphinx on the Giza Plateau. It covers the time period from c.2558 B.C. to 2532 B.C. Whereas the first book in The Giza Trilogy series, The Pharaoh, was more concerned with the life and achievements of Pharaoh Khufu, Khafre’s father, this second book diverges slightly into the religion of Ancient Egypt (or Kemet as it is called in the trilogy), as well as the mysteries of the Sphinx itself.

What did the Sphinx symbolize? Why was it built? Who built it? These questions are partly explained and answered in the book through careful detective work of the known facts. As with Pharaoh Khufu in the first book, little is known about the life of Pharaoh Khafre or about the Sphinx itself. I have used all of the facts now known to us to present my own theories, which I feel may be very close to the truth in solving the mysteries of the Sphinx, or at least some of these mysteries.

The book also diverges slightly into the distant past. King Narmer is believed to have been the first king or Pharaoh of a unified Kemet. He ruled sometime around c.3150 B.C. although many historians now think his rule may have perhaps been earlier than this. Lions have always played a major part in the history of Kemet: Pharaohs often organised lion hunts and the lion quickly became a symbol of the power of the Pharaoh. I have therefore theorized in the book that perhaps this interest in the Sphinx may have begun much earlier than Khafre’s time, possibly going back to the beginnings of Pharaonic Kemet. This is of course only a writer’s theory and has (as yet) no hard evidence – the possibility, however still remains.

As with the previous book in the trilogy, The Pharaoh, I have taken certain liberties with Pharaoh Khafre. He is neither a stone Pharaoh nor is he one who merely sits on his throne day in and day out, muttering a few words of judgement here and there and doing little else. The Pharaoh was indeed a living god and so the Pharaohs in the three Giza Trilogy books are men of action and of thought. They fight wars of conquest and they make important decisions in consultation with their close advisors.

The closest of these advisors is referred to in the three books by the title, Royal Scribe. Scholars and historians have a tendency to refer to Pharaoh’s closest advisor(s) as Vizier(s) but this is based on a medieval Arabic term. The scholars of ancient Kemet were the scribes who knew the art of both writing and counting. They were learned men. It was most likely the scribes who would have advised the Pharaoh on both minor and major matters concerning the running of Kemet.

SOME NAMES USED IN THE BOOK

Where known, I have kept to the Ancient Egyptian person and place names rather than using more familiar Greek or Roman names. To help the reader, who may know the royal capital of Old Kingdom Egypt (Kemet) as Memphis rather than the Ancient Egyptian name of Ineb-hedj, I’ve listed below both the Egyptian names used in the book and some of the more familiar Greek or Roman names. These names are shown as follows: Egyptian – Greek/Roman – Meaning in Ancient Egyptian (or explanation):

ABEDJU – Abydos – City near where was located the royal residence (in Tjenu) of King Narmer. Abedju later became an important religious centre.

ASKALON – Ashkelon – Ancient Canaanite city located on the south coast of modern-day Israel. Askalon has existed continuously for more than 5,000 years.

BALAT – Small trading town located in the Western Oasis (el-Dakhla). There were several of these oases in this region, serving rich caravan routes from the west.

DJEDEFRE – Son of Pharaoh Khufu and his immediate successor. Djedefre ruled for only a short period of about eight years. His name means Enduring Like Ra.

INEB-HEDJ – Memphis – Royal city whose name means White Walls. This was most likely a reference to the plastered white walls of the royal palace.

IUNU – Heliopolis – Main religious centre dedicated to Ra.

KEMET – Egypt – The Black Land, a reference to the rich black soil deposited by the Nile after the yearly inundation.

KHAFRE – Chepren – Son of Pharaoh Khufu who became Pharaoh after the death of his stepbrother, Djedefre. His name means Appearing Like Ra.

KUSH – Nubia – The region in the far south of modern-day Egypt and in the north of the Sudan.

LIBU – Lybia – The region to the west of modern-day Egypt.

SHESEP ANKH – Sphinx – An Ancient Egyptian name, which means living rock.

THE GREAT SEA – Mediterranean – The expanse of water between North Africa and Southern Europe.

WHITE ROCK – Giza Plateau – Plateau of white limestone where Khafre’s pyramid and the Sphinx were built.

MAIN AND SUPPORTING CHARACTERS

AMENEMOPE – Priest of Isis and High Priest of the Sphinx Temple.

ANWHERA – High Priest of Ra during the reign of Khafre.

APEPI – Military officer who accompanied Khafre on his first sea voyage.

ASUSIS – Royal Scribe to Pharaohs Djedefre and Baka.

BAKA* – (Pharaoh?) Son of Pharaoh Djedefre. An unfinished pyramid near Zawyet el-Aryan, a short distance south of Giza is similar in construction to the pyramid of Djedefre. Two names were found at this site – Djedefre and (?)ka. Djedefre had two sons – Baka and Setka, and it is possible that one of these sons may have succeeded him for a short period following Djedefre’s death. The unfinished pyramid (construction was most likely halted after only a year), continues to baffle archaeologists.

DJEDEFRE* – (Pharaoh) Son of Pharaoh Khufu who assumed the throne on the death of his father in 2566 B.C. Queen Meritates was Djedefre’s mother.

HENUTSEN* – (Queen) Second favourite wife of Pharaoh Khufu and mother of Prince (later Pharaoh) Khafre.

HETEPHERES II* – (Queen) First favourite wife of Pharaoh Djedefre and widow of the deceased Prince Kawab.

HETOIS – High Priestess (during the time of King Narmer) to Sekhmet, Goddess of War and Destruction.

ISIS – (Queen) Lesser wife of Pharaoh Khufu, who after the death of Khufu marries Senostris, Overseer of the Sphinx.

ISIS II – Daughter of Isis and Senostris.

KHAFRE* – (Pharaoh) Son of Pharaoh Khufu and half-brother to Pharaoh Djedefre. Queen Henutsen was his mother. Khafre became Pharaoh, possibly on the death of Djedefre’s son, Baka.

KHAMERERNEBTY I* – (Queen) First favourite wife to Pharaoh Khafre and mother of Prince Menkaure.

KHENTETKA – (Queen) Second favourite wife to Pharaoh Djedefre and mother of Prince (later Pharaoh?) Baka or Setka.

MENKAURE* – (Prince) Son of Pharaoh Khafre who later became Pharaoh.

MERESANKH III* – (Queen) Second favourite wife of Pharaoh Khafre.

MERITATES* – (Queen) First favourite wife of Pharaoh Khufu and mother of Djedefre.

MERNEPTAH – Priest of Sekhmet who conspires against Hetois and King Narmer.

NARMER* – (King) The southern king of Upper Kemet who united the two lands of Upper and Lower Kemet in c.3150 B.C.

NEBKA – General of Pharaoh Khafre’s army, following the death of General Ipuni.

PEPI – Royal Scribe to Pharaoh Khafre and the son of Anwhera, High priest of Ra.

QETESH – High priestess (in Askalon) of Qetesh, the Goddess of Love whose name she also carries.

SENOSTRIS – Common worker hauling stone blocks for the pyramid of Khufu, and who later rises to the position of Overseer of the Sphinx. Senostris marries Queen Isis, lesser wife of the deceased Pharaoh Khufu.

UNAS – Royal Architect who designs and constructs Pharaoh Khafre’s pyramid. Unas is a fictional character – the name of the real architect of this pyramid is unknown.

* Denotes non-fictional characters in the book.

GODS AND GODDESSES MENTIONED

ANUBIS – Jackal God and Guardian of the Dead who was associated with the mummification process. Anubis was also Guardian of Tombs.

HAPY – Nile River God and God of the Annual Inundation (flooding) of the Nile. He wore a headdress of river plants and weeds.

HATHOR – Goddess of Love and wife of Horus. Hathor was also Goddess of Joy, Music, Dance and Fertility. She was often depicted as either a cow or a woman wearing a headdress with cow horns and solar disc.

HORUS – Hawk God who was the Symbol of Kingship, as the Pharaohs carried the royal title: Son of Horus. Horus was the son of the Osiris, carrying out revenge for his father’s death at the hands of Seth. Horus was also the protector of Pharaoh in the mortal life.

ISIS – Goddess of Healing and Magic. Isis was wife to Osiris and mother of Horus.

MAAT – Goddess of Truth and Justice responsible for the divine order. Maat was portrayed as a woman wearing an ostrich plume on her head.

NUT – Sky Goddess who swallows Ra (the setting sun) and then gives birth to him each morning. Nut was the wife of Geb, the Earth God.

OSIRIS – God of Death and Resurrection represented as a man in mummified form. Osiris was one of the most important gods, standing in judgement of the dead in the Hall of Truth. He was husband of Isis, father of Horus and brother of Seth, his murderer.

PTAH – God of Craftsmen and Patron of Healers as well as Creation. Ptah was represented in the form of a mummified man. He was closely associated with the Opening of the Mouth ceremony, an important ceremony in the mummification process.

QETESH – Canaanite Goddess of Love. This was the name also carried by the High Priestesses of this goddess.

RA – The Sun God who had the body of a man but the head of a falcon wearing a sun orb headdress. Ra was perhaps the most important of the gods, and his name was later incorporated into the official title of the Pharaoh: Son of Ra.

SETH – God of Chaos, with the body of a man and the head of a mythical animal – a long nose and squared-off ears. Seth was the brother and the murderer of Osiris.

SEKHMET – Goddess of Destruction and War who had the body of a woman and the head of a lioness. She was the daughter of Ra and wore a sun orb on her head. She was also the Eye of Ra and her duty was to destroy all enemies of Ra.

THOTH – God of writing and Wisdom who was depicted with the body of a man and the head of an ibis. Thoth was the Patron God of Scribes.

ANCIENT KEMET MEASUREMENTS

The scribes, priests and builders in Ancient Kemet had their own system of measurements far different from our own. These measurements are used throughout the book (with equivalent and modern metric measurements shown in brackets beside them). Here are some of the measurements you will see during your journey through the land of Kemet.

River Measure = 20,000 cubits = c.10.5 km

Rod = 100 cubits = c.52.5 m

Royal Cubit = 7 palms = 28 fingers = c.52.5 cm

Standard Cubit = 6 palms = 24 fingers = c.45 cm

Remen = 5 palms = 20 fingers = c.37.5 cm

Djeser = 4 palms = 16 fingers = c.30 cm

Hand (large) = 1 hand = 3.5 palms = 14 fingers = c.25 cm

Hand (small) = 1 small hand = 3 palms = 12 fingers = c.22.5 cm

Palm = 1 palm = 4 fingers = c.7.5 cm

Finger = 1 finger = 1 quarter palm = c.1.875 cm

DJEDEFRE AND KHAFRE’S KEMET

Question and Answer Guide to the Second Pyramid on the Giza Plateau and the Builders of the Sphinx

Who was Pharaoh Djedefre?

Djedefre was the son of Pharaoh Khufu; becoming Pharaoh upon the death of his father in 2566 B.C. Djedefre ruled for only a short time until his own death in 2558 B.C. and therefore very little is known about this Pharaoh. Djedefre did not build his own pyramid on the Giza Plateau beside that of his father, but chose a nearby plateau about eight kilometres (five miles) to the north. The pyramid he built was smaller in size than his father’s and many of the stone blocks were later looted in Roman times – little now remains of this pyramid, its mortuary temple, boat pit and walls, with only a deep causeway dug into the rock where Djedefre’s burial chamber was located and a rubble of stone and mortar remaining.

Who was Khafre?

Khafre was the son of Pharaoh Khufu. Queen Henutsen was his mother. Pharaoh Khafre reigned from 2558 B.C. until 2532 B.C. and is known for the pyramid he built on the Giza Plateau beside that of Khufu, his father’s pyramid. Khafre’s own pyramid is slightly smaller in size but because it was built on the highest point of the plateau, its pinnacle is higher than Khufu’s pyramid. The Sphinx is located directly in front of Khafre’s pyramid, but recently discovered evidence shows that the Sphinx was not built entirely by Khafre; Djedefre most likely participated in its construction prior to his own death. Egypt became prosperous under Khafre’s rule, although, as with all the early Pharaoh’s of the Old Kingdom; few details remain of his life with the exception of some well-crafted and beautifully-made statues of him.

A few facts and figures on Khafre’s pyramid.

Khafre’s pyramid is the second largest pyramid to be built on the Giza Plateau. It consisted of some 2,000,000 blocks of stone each weighing between two and three tons. The base of the pyramid measures a length of 705 feet (215 metres) and its height was 471 feet (143.5 metres). The angle of the pyramid is 53° 10’. Unlike Khufu’s pyramid which had four small satellite pyramids beside it, Khafre’s pyramid has only one satellite pyramid. The interior chambers and corridors are much simpler than in Khufu’s. There were five boat pits located next to the mortuary temple. A stone causeway stretched from this mortuary temple at the base of the pyramid to the valley temple beside the Sphinx.

What is the Sphinx? Who built it and how was it built?

The Sphinx, like its name implies, is something of a mystery. It was carved from a single piece of megalithic limestone rock and is believed to represent the power of Pharaoh, for the body of the Sphinx is that of a lion, while its head is that of a Pharaoh. But which Pharaoh? The face has certain features that are more representative of Pharaoh Khufu, Khafre’s father rather than of Khafre himself. The author of the Giza Trilogy believes that perhaps all three Pharaohs were involved in its construction: Khufu planned and designed the Sphinx, but it was either not begun or it was only in its initial stages of construction when abandoned at the time of his death; Djedefre then continued the work on and off when constructing his own pyramid, working to the plans instigated by Khufu, for the Sphinx would honour his dead father; and finally, this work was completed by Khafre who claimed the face of the Sphinx for himself. A temple, the Sphinx Temple, was located in front of the Sphinx and beside Khafre’s valley temple. The Sphinx measures 241 feet (73.5 metres) in length and is 66 feet (20.2 metres) high.

My utterance is mighty,

I am more powerful

than the ghosts;

May they have no power

over me.

Book of the Dead

BOOK ONE

1. THE POOR LAND

PRINCE KHAFRE was watching the scorpion hiding beneath the shade of the nearby water jug. He had been watching the scorpion throughout much of the morning as it scurried around the edges of the waterhole, hiding here and hiding there as it waited for its prey, although what this prey was the young Khafre had no idea.

You must pay attention, said the nearby voice, and these words had been repeated often during the morning spent beside the waterhole. Khafre now turned his attention back to the thin slate board resting on his knees.

The lesson being taught by the scribe who stood before the seated prince was a lesson about the old Pharaohs – Khafre was not interested in these old Pharaohs, but when the scribe made mention of Pharaoh Khufu, Khafre’s father, the young prince was suddenly very much interested. He remembered his father well and also the pyramid his father had built on the White Plateau. It was a pyramid which the gods themselves would be proud to call their own, but the young prince knew he himself could never build such a magnificent monument – his older stepbrother, older by a year, Djedefre was now Pharaoh of Kemet and it was for this reason that Khafre was now sitting beside the waterhole under the shade of its trees in the distant town of Behdet, a distant and forgotten town close to the neutral zone and Kemet’s borders with Kush. Prince Khafre, however, was not alone in this baked and fly-ridden town; Queen Henutsen shared the self-imposed exile of her son.

It had been his mother’s idea barely a day after Pharaoh Khufu was buried in his pyramid. Djedefre is unpredictable, she told her young thirteen year old son. He does not think when he is making decisions and then he quickly blames others for these poor decisions. I am thinking we should go on a journey to the south and return when Pharaoh Djedefre has settled into his job as the one living god and ruler of Kemet. We can then return to Ineb-hedj, the royal city in perhaps a year or two. Two long years had now passed and it was 2564 B.C. and the beginning of Year 3 of Pharaoh Djedefre. Prince Khafre who was fifteen considered himself a man. He was married to a young woman of royal blood, Khamerernebty, and he had a young new born son whose name was Menkaure. He was eager to return to the royal city with his young family, but his mother was wise enough to advise caution, saying they should remain in Behdet for yet another year.

You are not paying attention to the lesson, said the scribe. Again, Khafre turned his eyes to the slate resting on his knees. Tell me of your father, mighty Pharaoh Khufu. What was his greatest achievement? asked the scribe

It was the peace treaty he made with King Daka, the rightful king of Kush. The scribe was not happy with this reply.

I would have said Pharaoh Khufu’s greatest achievement was in the building of his pyramid? Do you not think this an achievement greater than a simple diplomatic agreement with a poor and submissive king? Khafre though had a quick reply; his mind was always thinking quickly.

If it had not been for this simple and poor diplomatic agreement then there would have been little if any gold with which to build the pyramid. One action leads to another, but the greater achievement must always be traced back to the first action; otherwise there can be no greater achievement.

Your mind works in strange riddles, the confused scribe replied. I think your mother should have arranged for you to be taught by the higher thinking priests instead of scribes. Again, Khafre was thinking deeply about past events.

It had been Queen Henutsen, his mother’s idea to have the young Khafre taught by the scribes. Your father could read hieroglyphs, she had said to him. It made him far stronger and wiser. He could read the words of the gods for himself without listening to the voices of others who could twist or change these words. Khufu had studied under the supervision of Old Scribe for a short time, but Khafre had spent nearly two years at this work and was now more skilled than many of the scribes teaching him. He placed the slate beside him and stood up.

I thank you for all you have taught me, said the young prince suddenly. My life must now move on. He bowed politely before the surprised scribe, raising his right hand in gratitude and then silently walked away – the time for learning had come to an end. A short time later, Khafre was seated in the garden of the villa looking out over the waters of the nearby Nile.

There were several boats on the river. Khafre watched them with interest, particularly the ones sailing north. He wondered if any of these boats would be travelling to Ineb-hedj. The journey would take less than a week – the boat would be sailing with the flow of the river. He had asked his mother Henutsen many times but now he would ask her one last time; if she refused then he would disobey her wishes. He knew that Khamerernebty was also reluctant to return to Ineb-hedj.

We will be separated for only a month, perhaps two months at the most, he told her. When I am established and I am convinced all is safe, I will then send for you and little Menkaure.

I am fearful, Khamerernebty replied. I am fearful for Menkaure. We can face the possible danger from Djedefre together but Menkaure is only a baby. He can be easily harmed.

Djedefre is my stepbrother, was the confident reply from Khafre. No harm will come to us and little Menkaure will be safe. He is the nephew of Pharaoh. Khamerernebty reluctantly gave her blessing to Khafre on his planned journey to the royal city. Khafre now had to obtain the blessing from Henutsen.

I think it is time, he said to his mother a short time later when he found her seated alone in her private quarters. She was looking at the papyrus on the wall, a papyrus of Pharaoh Khufu standing before the god Osiris; the god was judging the dead Pharaoh in the House of Truth. Henutsen often spent long hours looking at this papyrus and in reality, her private quarters were a shrine to her beloved Khufu; there were several other papyrus images of the dead Pharaoh on the walls of the room as well as a small gold statue of him on the table beside her bed. Perhaps the strangest object, however, was a block of stone on which the tiny gold statue sat, for it was a piece of polished limestone from the pyramid itself! Hemiunu, the Royal Architect of Khufu’s pyramid had presented it to the Queen prior to her final departure from the royal city.

Consider it a gift of gratitude to one who was the wife of Pharaoh, he had told her. The workers in the quarry were over-enthusiastic in their work and prepared one extra stone that was not needed. and Hemiunu had smiled as he spoke his next words. You cannot hold this against them, for they were totally dedicated to their beloved Pharaoh. Who can criticise such dedication if 2,300,001 stones were cut instead of 2,300,000? The cut and polished stone was precious to Henutsen. She had given strict instructions that on her own death the stone was to be placed next to her sarcophagus in the burial chamber of her own small pyramid on the plateau, the small pyramid standing in the shadows of Pharaoh Khufu’s larger House of Eternity.

I think it is time, said the young Prince Khafre. I think it is time that I returned to Ineb-hedj for a visit. He was surprised when his mother nodded her head in agreement and remained silent. There was no argument or pleading with the decision. She then reached out and gently took his hand, pulling her young son closer to her.

Will you return to Behdet? she asked, and he could hear the sorrow in her voice.

I will be gone only a month.

Then you must go.

I promise to return.

You are young and have your life before you. Do not complicate your life with promises to others. I am old and do not wish to become involved once more in the complications of life in the royal palace. The heat of the desert is more agreeable than the coldness inside the royal palace. Khafre remained silent at these words and tried to hold back his own tears, for he knew that his mother knew – knew he would never again return to the town of scorpions and flies on the edge of the empty desert.

2. PHARAOH DJEDEFRE

Pharaoh Djedefre sat alone in his royal chamber. It was late in the night and all others in the palace were asleep with the exception of the living god. He often sat alone in his royal chamber seated on his golden throne – thinking the things that needed to be thought about. There was much troubling his thinking mind.

The magnificent and imposing tomb of his father, the pyramid, Horizon of Khufu had been sealed with the body of the dead Pharaoh more than two years before. This should have been a joyful occasion, but the final sealing of this magnificent tomb had only succeeded in opening up a nightmare of problems to be solved: but solved how and with what means? The construction of his father’s pyramid and Khufu’s strange request that all statues of him be made of gold and nothing else had left Kemet in a sorry situation. The Treasury were now empty and the will of the people, after spending twenty long years constructing the pyramid was finally exhausted. Added to this, were some of the bad decisions made by Djedefre himself. He was new to being Pharaoh and these bad decisions could be expected but in truth, this was no real excuse for what was happening; Kemet was in both a troubled and a desperate situation.

The inundation the year after Pharaoh Khufu’s death had been an average one and this was followed by a poor one. The reserves of food in the storehouses were running dangerously low, but there was an even greater danger in the whispers in the market places in the cities and towns of Kemet. These whispers were: The gods have looked unkindly on Pharaoh Djedefre, successor to Pharaoh Khufu. He will bring ruin to Kemet and we will be much poorer for this.

Even the temples were complaining. The people do not easily give up their offerings to the gods anymore and when they do give these offerings, which is of course very rare, the donations are only donations of poorly painted and chipped pottery worth only to be thrown into the Nile.

The scribes were also unhappy. The traders in the market place sell few if any goods and therefore little taxes are paid; the scribal schools are empty, because who would wish to sit all day outside a temple that cannot afford to pay for the services of a temple scribe?

The unrest had even extended to the army. We cannot afford to pay the soldiers, the Royal Scribe and successor to Keb, an elderly man by the name of Asusis had informed Djedefre. The four regiments guarding Kemet’s borders were then immediately reduced to three and many of its generals pensioned off, replaced by junior officers on far less pay. Building projects had also suffered under the reign of the new Pharaoh.

Djedefre had intended on honouring Khufu’s promise of building twenty grand and magnificent temples to the more important gods, but only two of these temples were begun and the work was then quickly abandoned. The new Pharaoh knew that the gods would not be happy with this decision and the priests even less, but there was no other choice. Kemet – like the abandoned building projects seemed abandoned to chaos and confusion, poverty and despair, a suffering it had not known for many years.

But not all had gone wrong in the first two years of Pharaoh Djedefre’s troubled reign.

Though the army was weakened and the Kushites continued to raid the towns in the south, there were no major battles fought and the few which were fought were easily won by the Kemet army. Kush had also suffered bad times at the hands of the gods – the land of Kush had been in severe drought during the two years of Djedefre’s own rule over Kemet.

When morning came, Djedefre remained seated on his throne and it was Asusis, his Royal Scribe who discovered him asleep in the royal chamber. The Royal Scribe gently called up to his Pharaoh from the bottom of the steps leading to the throne. A few moments later, Djedefre awoke from his troubled sleep. He seemed partly upset and partly relieved at being woken.

The scribes have presented their scrolls for the Nilometre, said Asusis. The Nilometre was used to make readings to measure the inundation of the Nile, which in turn would measure the rich silt deposits left by the annual flooding of the river. A medium to high flooding represented a good silt deposit. This meant a good crop to be grown, as the soil would be enriched by the silt carried down the river from its source. A low flood would in turn represent a poor crop, while an extremely high flood could also mean disaster, for much of the soil would be washed away. Djedefre opened his eyes and leaned forward on his throne, listening more closely to the words now spoken by the Royal Scribe.

"The scribes have said it is a good inundation and the water has risen to twenty three steps on the Nilometre." Djedefre leaned back and sighed softly – his prayers in the temples of Horus and Ra these past days had not been ignored.

I want not a single piece of grain wasted, the Pharaoh commanded. The people will eat two thirds of the crops grown and the other third will be placed in the storehouses. Asusis bowed low in obedience.

This will be done, mighty Pharaoh. He glanced towards the door and suddenly hesitated. There was one more matter to be attended to.

There is someone to see you, mighty Pharaoh. Isis, lesser wife of the departed and mighty Pharaoh Khufu, your beloved father, has requested an audience with you. Djedefre could feel his hungry tummy rumbling but thought it best to complete this unexpected audience before breakfast. He intended on travelling north to the Delta immediately afterwards, spending five days hunting wild geese and hippo. He motioned impatiently with his hand for Asusis to summon the lesser wife of the departed Pharaoh. Asusis called out her name and the woman stepped forward from the shadows of the entrance to the chamber.

Isis was still a young and a particularly beautiful woman, having married Pharaoh Khufu when she was sixteen years old, barely five years before his death. Djedefre felt both embarrassed and a little angry at her presence in the palace. He had asked Isis to marry him shortly after becoming Pharaoh. The young woman, still mourning her dead husband had surprisingly declined this offer, saying she needed more time to mourn for her departed Khufu. A year later, the rejected Pharaoh had then learned with surprise and much jealousy that the woman in mourning had married another not worthy of her high position: a common man by the name of Senostris. This Senostris was a man who had been a simple worker on Pharaoh Khufu’s pyramid during much of its construction, firstly as a humble puller of stone blocks before slowly rising up to the rank of Overseer of the Sphinx, the same incomplete and unfinished Sphinx whose construction had quickly been abandoned by Djedefre on Khufu’s death. Isis now bowed politely before Djedefre and then stepped forward a few paces.

I have a request to ask of you, mighty Pharaoh, Son of Horus and Son of Ra, said Isis politely, and Djedefre knew the lesser queen was asking yet again about the unfinished Sphinx. He had grown tired of these requests. It was only to honour the memory of his father that he now listened to one who had once been close to his father.

"I ask that the pyramid complex be completed in accordance with his last wishes, the wishes of Pharaoh Khufu, your beloved father. I ask that the Sphinx be finished so it can watch over my dear Khufu for all of eternity."

"The pyramid complex is already finished, replied Djedefre abruptly, as if wishing to finish the conversation before it had begun. The pyramid is complete as is the mortuary temple beside it, the valley temple and the causeway. The Sphinx was merely a later addition and was never included in the original plans."

This is true, replied the humble Isis. It was only added as an after-thought to preserve Pharaoh Khufu’s achievements so all would continue to remember him. There was to be a library placed inside the Sphinx – a small room where the scrolls of his many accomplishments would be stored.

The scrolls were never written, replied Djedefre.

"Some were written but these were destroyed when the Sphinx was abandoned. They can be rewritten." Djedefre smiled at these words. He knew the great skill of Isis in being able to read and write hieroglyphs equally as good as any priest or scribe, an unusual skill for a woman; only scribes could write detailed texts and only priests could read these detailed texts. Isis was neither of these.

I have heard your uncle taught you well the skills of the scribe, said the Pharaoh. Is it you Isis, who will write these histories of Khufu, my father? What part will I play in them?

The work will be entrusted to the palace scribes. I will offer up my own services to supervise this work.

Who will supervise the work to be done on the Sphinx if I should decide this work is to be continued?

My husband, Senostris, still carries the title of Overseer of the Sphinx. Hemiunu, the Royal Architect who designed and built Pharaoh Khufu’s pyramid entrusted him with this title. Senostris would be most suited to continue the work he began. He has and will always be loyal to Pharaoh. Djedefre was suddenly thinking if this Senostris would be as loyal to him, Djedefre, as he was to the dead Pharaoh.

How many workers will be required to complete this work? he enquired.

My husband believes only two thousand workers would be required and they could easily complete the work within three years. Djedefre shook his head. He could afford neither the cost nor the workers.

I will think about it, he said. Return in six months’ time and I will give you my answer. Isis bowed and then made her exit from the royal chamber. Deep in her heart, she knew the Sphinx would never be completed.

▲▲

The boat trip to the Delta proved a disappointment for Pharaoh Djedefre. Asusis, the Royal Scribe had arranged for the royal boat to stop at several large towns along the way where the Pharaoh could be greeted by the people. The crowds, however, were only small crowds who were unenthusiastic in welcoming their Pharaoh. Djedefre could only imagine in his disappointed mind the more joyous welcome that Khufu would had received on similar visits. They filled the shores of the Nile when he died, he complained to Asusis. "They tore their hair and wailed in grief, and in their tens of thousands they paid homage to the dead Pharaoh. Yet, they care little for the living Pharaoh."

This will change, comforted Asusis. The times will get better and when they have food in their hungry bellies they will cry out again the praises of Pharaoh. Djedefre was suddenly thinking hard.

I must do something which will awaken them from their sleep. I will lead the Kemet army against the Kushites and in my victories, they will show honour and respect to Pharaoh.

It will take months to organise such an expedition, replied Asusis.

Then I will begin building my own pyramid, for in their toil and hard work they will show their love for Pharaoh. Again, Asusis voiced his doubts.

The people are tired. They worked for twenty years on Khufu’s pyramid complex and they need a rest. Perhaps in three or four years’ time this can be done but not at the moment. Besides, we do not have the riches to build a pyramid. The military expedition into Kush will have to be undertaken first to obtain gold for the pyramid. An idea suddenly came to Djedefre as he listened to these words.

"They still honour and love Khufu. Perhaps a small building project will earn their respect for their new Pharaoh. I am thinking, Asusis. What if I were to construct the Sphinx as both a mark of respect to Pharaoh Khufu and to keep the minds of the people occupied? There need be only two thousand workers and we could even cut this down to one thousand? I have seen the plans and it would look magnificent when completed. Isis says it would take only three years." Asusis had his doubts but remained silent.

The following morning, the royal hunting party camped in the marshes. Djedefre was determined to hunt and kill a hippo; servants were sent out to find this hippo which they did a short distance from the camp. Djedefre quickly assembled his hunters who included three noblemen and six servants, and, armed with their spears and bows they quickly embarked on their hunt in the three canoes that would carry them cross the waters of the marsh. When they arrived, however, they found others already there.

Five large boats and more than twenty hunters and their servants were cutting up the dead hippo. They took little if any notice of the three smaller canoes and continued with their work. When one of the servants in Djedefre’s canoe cried out the words, Bow in the humble presence of mighty Pharaoh Djedefre, Son of Horus and Son of Ra! the men merely laughed and continued their work of cutting up the dead hippo.

We bow for none! one of them cried back when again the servant called out to them. Djedefre stood up in his canoe so the ignorant hunters could see him but this made little difference. It was only when he threatened them with his golden spear that the men stopped their work and took notice.

You wish to threaten us with your easily gained wealth? I think we will take this golden spear from you and any other gold you have. They now pointed their own spears and bows at the heavily out-numbered occupants of the three canoes. Again, the foolish Djedefre called out a challenge to them.

I am Pharaoh and you must obey my commands.

Pharaoh is dead and is buried in his tomb, one of the men replied. "A weak and false Pharaoh rules in his place and this man is Pharaoh in name only, for he commands none." Djedefre immediately ordered his servants to paddle closer until they were alongside the larger boat. The man who had said the words knelt down from the deck of his larger boat, peering defiantly into Djedefre’s face. The Pharaoh could smell the man’s pungent and hot breath.

What madness is this? cried Djedefre in sudden surprise. The face was not a face of flesh and blood – not the face of a man, but the face of a jackal. Djedefre’s eyes quickly glanced along the deck of the boat and saw that the other men as well as their servants, though they had the bodies of men and were dressed as men, their heads were the heads of jackals! The golden spear fell from Djedefre’s grasp.

"I am Anubis, Guardian of the Dead, called out the figure standing on the deck before him and Djedefre felt a sudden fear. I recognise you for you are the weak and the false Pharaoh, Anubis continued. You are not worthy of a tomb and your putrid flesh will rot in the desert sands to be eaten by the vultures."

"I am Pharaoh," protested Djedefre.

"You are nothing! There will be no place for you in the After Life, only emptiness in the world between life and death. You will wander this emptiness for all of eternity."

The gods will not allow this. I am the Son of Horus and the Son of Ra. Anubis merely laughed at these words. Djedefre could see the animal savagery in the eyes staring mercilessly into his own. Again, the jackal-headed figure spoke to him.

It is I who guards the tombs of the dead and not Horus or Ra. The jackal figure reached down and then grabbed Djedefre, easily pulling him up on to the deck of the boat. A knife was held hard against the frightened Djedefre’s throat. The Pharaoh called out to his companions for their assistance; through the corner of his eyes as he strained his head to one side he could see the three canoes fleeing to safety. The other Anubis figures on the boat were now standing over him, blocking out both the light and the warmth of the sun, the life-giving strength of Ra.

Will you not fight for the life of your Pharaoh? called out the Anubis to the fleeing figures in the canoes.

He is not our Pharaoh, they cried back. We serve another Pharaoh – not this one!

The sharp blade of the knife pressed closer…

A hand was suddenly shaking him gently. Djedefre opened his frightened eyes and suddenly realised he was in the tent on the deck of the royal barge. Asusis was at his side. You were dreaming, mighty Pharaoh, the concerned Royal Scribe told him. I heard your cries and hurried to awaken you. We have arrived in the marshes. Orders were now given for the servants to search the surrounding reeds for any signs of wild geese, pigs or hippos. A short time later, one of the servants returned.

A hippo has been sighted not far from where we are camped. Djedefre was hesitant as he looked in the direction where the servant was pointing. It was as if he were reliving the terrifying dream again.

We must prepare for the hunt immediately, mighty Pharaoh, said one of the nobles when he noticed the delay. Again, Djedefre continued to hesitate. He now turned to the servant.

Did you see any other hunters?

I saw nobody, mighty Pharaoh. The marshland is empty. Djedefre glanced at the mystified and curious Asusis standing on the deck nearby. He then sighed heavily.

I grow tired of this hunting. We will return to Ineb-hedj immediately. Asusis was surprised to see his Pharaoh trembling as he said these words and he was even more surprised by the next words. "I wish to build my House of Eternity, my pyramid immediately." In his disturbed mind, Djedefre was thinking death would always be close by. He was also thinking about his younger brother, Khafre – perhaps the one who was the other Pharaoh, served by his fleeing and cowardly companions in the dream.

3. COMMAND OF PHARAOH

The servant was apologetic when he awoke the sleeping Pharaoh. The hour was late. A visitor has arrived in the royal palace, he informed Djedefre. He is a royal visitor and though the courtyard where he waits is hidden in darkness, I am sure it is your half-brother, Prince Khafre.

Djedefre quickly dressed and hurried to the courtyard.

It is good to see you again, he told his brother as they embraced and then stood back from each other, each carefully sizing up the other – it was two years since they had last been together: Djedefre noticed that Khafre was much taller and his boyish features were now more defined as the ones of a grown-up man; Khafre noticed his slightly older brother, older only by a year seemed much older than he had looked in his young years. It was obvious that the weight of Pharaohship weighed heavily on his shoulders.

Your mother is well? enquired Djedefre, referring to Queen Henutsen. Khafre nodded, saying that she was. He then in turn enquired after Queen Meritates, Djedefre’s mother.

It was a happy occasion, replied Djedefre almost absently, his thoughts suddenly elsewhere. There was a moment’s silence before he continued. She loved her beloved husband Pharaoh Khufu deeply and you must remember that she was some five years older than Pharaoh. These words seemed to be said as an excuse for what Djedefre said next: She died little more than a year after our father was buried in his pyramid. She loved him greatly and could not live without him. The last words were spoken more loudly and seemed closer to the truth. Khafre placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder to comfort him, for it was apparent the death of Meritates still affected Djedefre greatly.

I also loved Queen Meritates as if she were my own mother, said Khafre. She was always close by to comfort and attend to my needs when Henutsen was called away from Ineb-hedj and from the royal palace. He was suddenly smiling. I remember the time the servants caught us making mischief in the garden. We were running through the garden waving sticks as if we were doing battle with the Kushites. The broken flower petals and stems that lay on the garden path were these enemies of Pharaoh, the dead Kushites.

The servants were extremely angry, Djedefre laughed, also remembering the incident. My left ear hurts to this day from where the Chief Servant to Pharaoh’s Household twisted it when we were caught. I am sure the punishment would have been much greater if not for Meritates’ intervention. Khafre joined in the laughter as he too remembered more vividly, what had happened next in the garden.

She was angrier with the servants than with us, even though we had destroyed many of her favourite flowers, he said. The servants quickly fled the garden because they were in fear of her words and of her fury.

She told them it was the ghost of Ameshe (I), the white lion who lay buried in the small pyramid in the garden who had done this damage, added Djedefre. "In previous years, our father, Pharaoh Khufu often took his royal lion for long walks in the garden and they now feared the dead lion was again walking the garden, looking for the spirit of its master."

However, we were not spared the punishment, interrupted Khafre excitedly. Queen Meritates made us pick up every flower petal on the garden path and then had the servants in the kitchen prepare these petals into a meal, which we were then made to eat that same night. He shook his head as he remembered the sweet and sickly taste of the meal. I always respected the flowers in the garden after this.

So did I, added Djedefre. Khafre motioned towards a wooden bench beside the courtyard wall.

Please tell me of Queen Meritates’ funeral?

It was very beautiful, said Djedefre. They sat down on the bench. There was no sadness – only joy, for Meritates was being reunited with her husband in the After Life, explained Djedefre. "Her satellite pyramid lay beside Khufu’s own pyramid and when the burial ceremony was complete – a most remarkable thing happened.

The guests were preparing to depart and the entrance to the small pyramid had just been sealed, when suddenly the shadow of Khufu’s pyramid passed over Meritates’ much smaller pyramid. It was as if her dead husband were reaching out for her, to cradle his wife in his arms. The departing guests, there were more than a thousand, because Meritates was dearly loved, stopped and watched in surprised wonder. I think it was a sign from the gods that they will be happy together in the After Life. Djedefre had yet another surprise for his stepbrother.

"The boat pits are all finished and are stamped with my cartouche, the cartouche of Pharaoh Djedefre. This work was done within the first year of Pharaoh’s burial. The subterranean chamber, however, was left unfinished as I did not wish to disturb Pharaoh’s sleep by reopening the pyramid. The Sphinx will also be completed, but this will of course take time." Khafre was now closely examining in his mind his stepbrother and studying the changes in his thinking and personality.

When Djedefre first became Pharaoh those two years before, his thinking had been both unpredictable and thoughtless. He had made many hasty decisions but this was to be expected. Khufu had died unexpectedly and Djedefre was not ready to assume the position of living god and ruler over the six hundred thousand people of Kemet. Some of his hasty decisions had even been cruel ones, surprising and shocking Khafre as well as all others in the royal court. Khafre was now thinking, in hindsight, that these cruel decisions had been made to consolidate Djedefre’s position as the new Pharaoh. Perhaps he, Khafre, would have also made some of these decisions if he were in the same position. A short time later, Khafre made his way to the quarters set aside for him in the adjoining and smaller palace near the garden. Djedefre watched his stepbrother’s departure and then quickly summoned his Royal Scribe.

Prince Khafre has returned to the royal palace, he informed Asusis who had requested Djedefre advise him if and when Khafre returned to Ineb-hedj. Asusis seemed concerned by this.

I think we should watch him closely in all that he does and all whom he speaks to, the suspicious Royal Scribe suggested.

He is of my blood, Djedefre was quick to reply. I hold no fear of him and know that he wishes me no harm.

It is not Prince Khafre you should be fearful of but his mother, Queen Henutsen, Asusis warned. "She has never forgiven that it was your grandfather, Pharaoh Snefru, who sent her away from the royal palace before she could marry Khufu who was then heir to the throne. Henutsen has never forgotten that Snefru then arranged the marriage between Khufu and Meritates, your own mother, who consequently became first wife to Khufu." Djedefre was thinking deeply about the words just spoken. He had heard this said on numerous occasions, not only by Asusis, but by others in whose interest it was for Djedefre to remain Pharaoh. Perhaps, there was some truth in what they said.

I do not wish to harm Khafre.

No harm needs to be done, replied Asusis. "You have ruled Kemet for two years and have consolidated this power. You are now in your third year. We need only send Prince Khafre away for perhaps another year and then your consolidation will be complete. None will be able to question or threaten this power." There was a slight pause before the Royal Scribe continued. He had a plan.

"I am thinking, mighty Pharaoh. We need to strengthen your power. A military expedition into Kush or the Eastern Desert would prove too costly – there are other ways. A trade mission would be far less costly and would improve your position as well as benefiting Kemet. There is a city on the coast of the Great Sea, far to the north-east, which is an extremely prosperous city…

▲▲

Khafre had decided to go for an early morning walk through the gardens of the royal palace. The pyramid tomb of Ameshe (I) that also contained the son of the white lion, Ameshe (II) lay beside the small palace where Khafre had his private quarters. He sat on the stone bench in front of the small pyramid and watched the morning sun touch its walls. A woman suddenly appeared along the garden path and Khafre was surprised when she sat down beside him on the stone bench.

I have not seen you since Pharaoh Khufu’s burial, said the woman. Khafre turned and recognised her as Queen Isis, one of Khufu’s lesser wives.

My heart is gladdened that you are well, Queen Isis. I have heard that you are remarried?

I married a kind and caring man whose name is Senostris. He worked on the construction of my beloved Khufu’s pyramid and I am hoping he will continue this work on the Sphinx; his last position on the plateau was Overseer of the Sphinx before it was abandoned on my Khufu’s death.

I have been told by Djedefre that he plans to complete the Sphinx as a monument to our father’s memory, Khafre replied. The words surprised Isis. Djedefre had not as yet told her of his decision. Khafre was suddenly mystified by the presence of Isis in the royal palace; all of Khufu’s wives and lesser wives had been graciously expelled from the palace to make way for Djedefre’s own immediate family – Djedefre’s favourite wife and two lesser wives.

Are you staying in the palace? enquired Khafre.

I share a house beside the river with my husband, Isis replied. It is not as spacious as the royal palace. However, it does give us the privacy we require, and it even has a small terraced garden leading down to the river. I sometimes come to the palace garden in the early morning, before the servants go about their work to relive past memories.

Does Pharaoh Djedefre still show respect to the wives and the other children of Khufu, his stepbrothers and sisters? Khafre asked.

He has been kind in all that he does. We need only ask and our requirements are immediately met. It was Djedefre who gave us the house beside the river. We of course had little contact with him in the first months when he became Pharaoh, but this changed once he became established. Isis suddenly hesitated. "I have a word of warning, Prince Khafre. Djedefre has a Royal Scribe, a man by the name of Asusis who watches over him closely – this is of course, not bad. Asusis guides him well and has helped the new Pharaoh settle into his role. Asusis is an elderly man and well trained in the duties of the scribe. I believe he has been a scribe for more than forty inundations of the Nile and that he began this work as a junior scribe in the last years of Pharaoh Snefru’s reign."

You mentioned a word of warning, Queen Isis? What is this warning concerning Asusis, Royal Scribe to Pharaoh?

"He is a man who is suspicious of others. He sees shadows when there are no shadows. As I have already said, he is one who is also possessive of Pharaoh and his interests, because these interests are also those of Asusis. Asusis is loyal to Pharaoh and to Kemet. Be careful, Prince Khafre."

"These interests are my own interests. I am loyal to Pharaoh Djedefre, the one living god and I am loyal to Kemet. I would die for the one as easily as the other."

Those who know you, Khafre, will not hesitate to believe this but others, those who have not seen you for a long period of time will not be so kind. Isis suddenly changed the subject. The warning had now been given.

You must tell me of your mother, Queen Henutsen?

She is well, replied Khafre with a smile. He was suddenly remembering his mother and the time, those years before when she had played with the young Khafre in the garden beside the tomb and on this very same bench.

We have been living in Behdet in the south these past two years and to be honest, it is not an exciting town and there is little to do there. Still, it does have some beautiful temples and public buildings and lions are plentiful in the nearby desert.

How is your mother?

"She misses the royal court in Ineb-hedj. I think she took great delight in its intrigues. I think she misses her Khufu too. I had planned to take her back to the White Rock a year ago to revisit the pyramid complex, and though she was greatly excited and wished to go, she was also extremely reluctant and hesitant. I asked her why and she told me, ‘There are ghosts on the plateau who should only be visited when the time comes.’ I thought she was speaking of Khufu when she made mention of these ghosts, but much later I found it was the gods themselves of which she spoke. Henutsen has always been religious and I think, as the time approaches for her to be called forth into the Hall of Truth and to stand before Osiris, she fears the Gods may call for her earlier, I believe she thinks she is not ready to go."

I am not a great believer in these stone and unfeeling gods, laughed Isis. My uncle Menkah, Royal Scribe to Pharaoh Snefru and then to Pharaoh Khufu in the early years of his reign was a practical man, teaching me that the gods are only there to serve men. Khafre seemed both mystified and shocked by this disbelief in the gods. Isis now explained further and in more detail.

The priests pray to the gods to give Kemet good inundations of the Nile so that Kemet will be prosperous. This is in the interests of the priests, for a prosperous Kemet will mean richer donations to the temples, which in turn, will increase the power of the priests.

But if the power of the priests increases, does not the power of the god served by these priests also increase? interrupted the curious Khafre.

It only occurs if the priests speak for the god and not for themselves. Has a god ever spoken directly to you, Prince Khafre? Khafre shook his head – in all the years of praying before the stone statues not a single word had been spoken, although there were moments when particular and strange thoughts had entered his mind. Where these thoughts the words from the gods?

I have heard the gods speaking inside my head, he replied finally.

These are mere thoughts, Isis was quick to reply. "They are not solid words like the words inscribed on the walls of the temples – only fleeting thoughts brought on by the chant of the priests in the temple and before the god to which you are praying, perhaps even thoughts brought on by boredom."

Then you do not believe in the gods?

"All believe in the gods – even my uncle, Menkah. It is the degree or the depth of this