Egyptian

Angelica P. Tenido

BSN-III
HistoryofEgypt
 Egyptian civilization has flourished continuously since prehistoric times. While the civilization's rulers,
writing, natural climate, religion and borders have changed many times over the millennia, Egypt still exists as
a modern-day country.

The civilization has always been strongly connected with other parts of the world, bringing in and exporting goods,
religions, food, people and ideas. At times ancient Egypt ruled territory outside the modern-day country's border,
controlling territory in what is now Sudan, Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, Israel and Palestine.

The country was also occupied by other powers the Persians, Nubians, Greeks and Romans all conquered the
country at different points in time. A number of names were used for Egypt in ancient times. A popular ancient name for
Egypt was "Kemet," which means the "black land." Scholars generally believe that this name derives from the fertile
soil that is left over when the Nile flood recedes in August.
 The flooding of the Nile occurred between June and August and the fertile soil it created
was vital to ancient Egypts survival, with fertility playing an important role in Egyptian
religion. The burial of Tutankhamun in which his penis was mummified erect is but one
example of how important fertility was in the rituals and beliefs of the ancient Egyptians.

The country's ancient rulers are referred to today as "pharaohs," although in ancient
times they each used a series of names as part of a royal titular, wrote Ronald Leprohon, an
Egyptology professor at the University of Toronto, in his book "The Great Name: Ancient
Egyptian Royal Titulary" (Society of Biblical Literature, 2013). The word pharaoh actually
originates from the term "per-aa" which means "the Great House," Leprohon wrote. The term
was first incorporated into a royal titulary during the rule of Thutmose III (reign ca. 1479
1425 B.C.) wrote Leprohon.
Prehistory

When exactly early hominids first arrived in Egypt is unclear. The earliest migration of hominids out of
Africa took place almost 2 million years ago, with modern humans dispersing out of Africa about 100,000
years ago. Egypt may have been used to reach Asia in some of these migrations.
Villages dependent on agriculture began to appear in Egypt about 7,000 years ago, and the civilizations
earliest written inscriptions date back about 5,200 years; they discuss the early rulers of Egypt. These
early rulers include Iry-Hor, who, according to recently discovered inscriptions, founded Memphis, a city
that served as Egypts capital for much of its history. When and how Egypt was united is unclear and is a
matter of debate among archaeologists and historians.
Egypts climate was much wetter in prehistoric times than it is today. This means that some areas that are
now barren desert were fertile. One famous archaeological site where this can be seen is at the "cave of
swimmers" (as it is called today) on the Gilf Kebir plateau in southwest Egypt. The cave is now
surrounded by miles of barren desert; however, it has rock art showing what some scholars interpret as
people swimming. The exact date of the rock art is unclear, although scholars think that it was created in
prehistoric times.
 Egypt's 30 dynasties
Egypts history has traditionally been divided into 30 (sometimes 31) dynasties. This tradition started with
the Egyptian priest Manetho, who lived during the third century B.C. His accounts of ancient Egyptian
history were preserved by ancient Greek writers and, until the deciphering of hieroglyphic writing in the
19th century, were one of the few historical accounts that scholars could read.
Modern-day scholars often group these dynasties into several periods. Dynasties one and two date back
around 5,000 years and are often called the "early dynastic" or "archaic" period. The first pharaoh of the first
dynasty was a ruler named Menes (or Narmer, as he is called in Greek). He lived over 5,000 years ago, and
while ancient writers sometimes credited him as being the first pharaoh of a united Egypt we know today
that this is not true there was a group of Egyptian rulers that predated Menes. Scholars sometimes refer to
these pre-Menes rulers as being part of a "dynasty zero."
Dynasties 3-6 date from roughly 26502150 B.C. and are often lumped into a time period called the "Old
Kingdom" by modern-day scholars. During this time pyramid building techniques were developed and
the pyramids of Giza were built.
From 21502030 B.C. (a time period that encompassed dynasties 7-10 and part of the 11) the central government in Egypt
was weak and the country was often controlled by different regional leaders. Why the Old Kingdom collapsed is a matter
of debate among scholars, with recent research indicating that drought and climate change played a significant role.
During this time other cities and civilizations in the Middle East also collapsed, with evidence at archaeological sites
indicating that a period of drought and arid climate hit sites across the Middle East.
Dynasties 12, 13, as well as part of the 11th are often called the "Middle Kingdom" by scholars and lasted from ca. 2030
1640 B.C. At the start of this dynasty, a ruler named Mentuhotep II (who reigned until about 2000 B.C.) reunited Egypt
into a single country. Pyramid building resumed in Egypt, and a sizable number of texts documenting the civilizations
literature and science were recorded. Among the surviving texts is the Edwin Smith surgical papyrus, which includes a
variety of medical treatments that modern-day medical doctors have hailed as being advanced for their time.
Dynasties 14-17 are often lumped into the "second intermediate period" by modern-day scholars. During this time central
government again collapsed in Egypt, with part of the country being occupied by the "Hyksos" a group from the Levant
(an area that encompasses modern-day Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria). One gruesome find from this time
period is a series of severed hands, cut off from their human victims, which were found at a palace at the city of Avaris, the
capital of Hyksos-controlled Egypt. The cut-off hands may have been presented by soldiers to a ruler in exchange for
gold.
 Scholars often refer to dynasties 18-20 as encompassing the "New Kingdom," a period that lasted ca. 15501070 B.C. This
time period takes place after the Hyksos had been driven out of Egypt by a series of Egyptian rulers and the country was
reunited. Perhaps the most famous archaeological site from this time period is the Valley of the Kings, which holds the burial
sites of many Egyptian rulers from this time period, including that of Tutankhamun (reign ca. 13361327 B.C.), whose rich
tomb was found intact

Dynasties 21-24 (a period from ca. 1070713 B.C.) are often called the "third intermediate period" by modern-day scholars.
The central government was sometimes weak during this time period and the country was not always united. During this time
cities and civilizations across the Middle East had been destroyed by a wave of people from the Aegean, whom modern-day
scholars sometimes call the "Sea Peoples." While Egyptian rulers claimed to have defeated the Sea Peoples in battle, it didnt
prevent Egyptian civilization from also collapsing. The loss of trade routes and revenue may have played a role in the
weakening of Egypts central government.

Dynasties 25-31 (date ca. 712332 B.C.) are often referred to as the "late period" by scholars. Egypt was sometimes under the
control of foreign powers during this period. The rulers of the 25th dynasty were from Nubia, an area now located in southern
Egypt and northern Sudan. The Persians and Assyrians also controlled Egypt at different times during the late period.
 In 332 B.C. Alexander the Great drove the Persians out of Egypt and incorporated the country into the
Macedonian Empire. After Alexander the Greats death, a line of rulers descended from Ptolemy Soter, one
of Alexanders generals. The last of these "Ptolemaic" rulers (as scholars often call them) was Cleopatra VII,
who committed suicide in 30 B.C after the defeat of her forces by the Roman emperor Augustus at the Battle
of Actium. After her death, Egypt was incorporated into the Roman Empire.
Although the Roman emperors were based in Rome, the Egyptians treated them as pharaohs. One recently
excavated carving shows the emperor Claudius (reign A.D. 41-54) dressed as a pharaoh. The carving has
hieroglyphic inscriptions that say that Claudius is the "Son of Ra, Lord of the Crowns," and is "King of
Upper and Lower Egypt, Lord of the Two Lands."
Neither the Ptolemaic or Roman rulers are considered to be part of a numbered dynasty.
EgyptianCulture
 Attitudes

Egyptian people are generally very helpful, so tourists rarely have trouble finding assistance with directions
or recommendations. It is not unusual for an entire crowd of Egyptians to surround you trying to answer a
query. They stand very close when speaking, requiring very little personal space. Egyptians are accustomed
to refusing every invitation the first time it was offered, so if your offer is genuine, repeat it a second time.
The same goes with invitations from Egyptian people. They will offer something once out of politeness, but
you know the offer is sincere if it is repeated. If you accept an invitation into an Egyptian home, such as for
a meal, and you do not show, the hosts would be humiliated.
Ethnicity

Egypt has a population of about 67 million people. The official language is Arabic. About
99 percent of the Egyptian population comes from Eastern Hamitic backgrounds. This
includes ancient Egyptian descendants, Bedouins and Berbers. The remaining 1 percent is
comprised of Greek, Nubian, Armenian, Italian and French ethnicity. The majority of the
Egyptian population is concentrated around the Nile River Valley and the Nile Delta. A
good estimate is that about half the population is from peasantry, while the other half are
rich or socially elite. Citizens living in rural areas are mostly peasants earning a living
through farming. Egypt's prime location, straddling from North Africa across the Suez
Canal into Asia, makes it the center of the Arab world. It is often thought to be the
intellectual leader of the Middle East, having been the first to open up to communications
with the Western world.
Religion

About 90 percent of the Egyptian population are Sunni Muslims, 8 percent are Coptic
Christians and the remaining 2 percent are Jewish or of other Christian denominations.
The Islamic values are fundamental in personal and political aspects for all citizens,
including Christians. Egyptians have strong family values and are expected to be faithful
to members of their nuclear and extended families. Most businesses are closed on
Fridays, the Muslim holy day, with some also closed on Thursdays. Egyptian Muslims
fast during the month of Ramadan and are only allowed to work for six hours each day.
While not required to fast during Ramadan, Christians are not allowed to eat, drink,
smoke or chew gum in public. The major mosques are open to tourists, except during
religious services. All guests are expected to remove their shoes before entering any
religious building.
Communications

Egypt is the most progressive country in the Middle East is the field of media. Journalism,
film, television, music and the arts are of supreme importance in Egyptian culture. Egypt
has a press that is basically free, especially when compared to the censorship applied in
other Arab nations. The biggest newspaper in the country is called "Al Ahram," but other
papers are also distributed. Egypt's radio broadcasting system transmits programs
throughout the Arab world in Arabic, English, French and other languages. Egyptian
television is controlled by the government, with five national television channels. Egypt is
the only Arab country with a movie industry and has been making movies since the 1930s.
Egypt is also home to live entertainment venues, such as the Cairo Opera House, National
Puppet Theater, Pocket Theater and National Symphony. The country has several museums
that boast the ancient art traditions and has produced a Nobel prize winner in literature.
 WomenandClothing
Women in Egypt are expected to be conservative and modest, in following with the Islamic principles for women.
Unknown men should never approach an Egyptian women; instead questions and concerns should be addressed
toward other men. A large percentage of Egyptian women maintain their virginity until marriage, because virginity
is seen as a sign of morality and men prefer to marry virgin women. Women are educated and often the pride of her
parents until she is married. Women are widely present within the professional workforce, working as doctors,
lawyers, college professors and diplomats. Women often wear a head scarf as a symbol of modesty and to
discourage male advances in the professional field. They are expected to keep their arms and legs covered,
especially in religious arenas.
Tradition
Tradition

1-Writing

The Ancient Egyptians invented writing and were the first people who used the pen and sheets of papyrus to
register everyday activity.

2-Easterholiday

The Ancient Egyptians were the first to celebrate Easter and they used to colour eggs at Easter time.

3-TheCalendar

The Ancient Egyptians had divided the year into seasons that consisted of 365 days. Two lasting Calendar
scenes can still be seen today, one in Abydos Temple and the other at Kom-Ombo Temple. There is also a calendar
masterpiece on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris.
4-Surgicalinstruments

The Ancient Egyptians invented several surgical instruments to use in medical operations and the famous scene of
surgical instruments in Kom-Ombo Temple shows the similarity between their surgical instruments and ones used
today including forceps to aid the delivery of babies.

5-TheWeddingRing

Well that might surprise some people but the fact of the matter is giving a bride a ring on their wedding day was
indeed an Ancient Egyptian tradition and of course now practised worldwide.

6-Music

We have learned from several artistic scenes in the Valley of the Nobles on the West bank of Luxor city that
Music and dancing played an important part to entertain and amuse them.
7-SocialDrinking(Wine&Beer)

Beer was the official drink of all Ancient Egyptians while wine was the drink of Royalties. Ancient
Egyptians made their beer of barley while their wine was made out of grapes and apples. A tomb of a brewer
who served an ancient Egyptian court more than 3,000 years ago has just been discovered in Luxor.
The man buried in it was head of beer production, archaeologists say.

8-WrappingthedeadbodyinLinen.

The Ancient Egyptians used to wrap their mummified bodies in white linen before they buried them;
surprisingly this is still the same tradition in modern Egypt, as the dead body must be wrapped in white linen
before being buried.
9-Wrestling

One of the most important sporting scenes that had been represented in Beni-Hassan
Tombs in El Minya City (Middle of Egypt 300Km south of Cairo) shows how the Ancient
Egyptians were passionate about the Wrestling sport.

10-Astrology
The Temple of Dandara north of Luxor city contains the famous Zodiac scene that has
the scorpion and the balance among other Horoscopic astrology figures.
Beliefs
 ReligiousBelief
Egypt is a very dry country and because of this fact, what was buried underground managed to survive.
Amongst Egypts remains, the pyramids teach us a great deal about the worlds oldest civilization. A large
number of books have been written on ancient Egypts religion, and they not only explain the basic concepts of
religion but inform us about their gods and goddesses. In ancient Egypt, there was this belief that after death
there is another life. Because of this, they prepare themselves really well for the afterlife. From the mummies
found in the tombs, we get a clear picture of how the Egyptians took good care of the deceased bodies. Apart
from this belief, ancient Egyptians had a number of gods and goddesses in which they believed in. Egyptian art
proves all this. Each god had names and of course the dominance of each god depended on the beliefs of the
reigning pharaoh. Each god had five names and each was associated with an element such as air. Not all the
gods were worshipped in the same location. This of course depended on the location the king in power wanted
his capital to be. As noticed before, kings were an integral part of Egypts religion. These are some of
ancient Egypts gods:
Thecreatorofallthings Ra, Atum, Ptah, Khnum or Aten. They were the most powerful gods.
Thegodofheavens Bat and Horus
Earthgod Geb
Thegodofinundation (the yearly flooding of the Nile River) Hapy
Thegodofchaos (storms, evil and confusion) Seth
Thegodofembalming (preserving a dead body) andthedead Anubis
Theprotectivegoddess Bastet and Isis
Theprotectorofpregnantwomen,newbornbabiesandthefamilies Bes and Tawaret
Thegoddessofloveandjoy Hathor
Thegodofcreation,themovementofthesunandrebirth Khepri
Thegoddessoftruth,justiceandharmony Maat
Thegoddessofthedead Nephthys and Osiris (she was also the ruler of the underworld)
Thegodofcraftsmen Ptah
Thegoddessofwar Sekhmet
Thegoddessofwritingandmeasurements Seshat
Thegodofair Shu
ThegodoftheNile Sobek
Thegoddessofmoisture Tefnut
Thegodofwritingandknowledge Theth
TraditionalBeliefs

1. The religion of the Ancient Egyptians was extremely important to them and touched every
aspect of their life.
2. The religion of Ancient Egypt was a polytheistic religion (with many gods).
3. The Ancient Egyptian Gods numbered nearly 2000.
4. The Ancient Egyptian Priests evolved a creation myth, or cosmogny, to explain how some of the
Gods and Goddesses came into being and the the nature and genesis of the universe
5. Statues of the Gods - Statues of the Gods and Goddesses were believed in the Ancient Egyptian
religion to be living embodiments of the deities. The statues were revered and offered prayers
together with physical items such as food and drink. The statues were washed, oiled and adorned
with make-up, jewelry and clothes
6. Divine Kingship - The Egyptian Pharaohs were also believed to be living Gods in the Ancient
Egyptian religion
7. Pharaohs believed that they became gods in the afterlife
8. The Ennead is the collective name given to the nine original deities (Gods and Goddesses) of the cosmogony
of Heliopolis (the birthplace of the Gods) in the creation myths and legends of the Ancient Egyptians.
9. The Male Gods featured in the Ancient Egyptian Ennead were Geb, Osiris, Seth, Shu
10. The Goddesses featured in the Ennead were Isis, Nephthys, Nut, Tefnut
11. Egyptian Gods or Goddesses were often depicted as being part human and part animal.
12. Only the Pharaoh and the Priests were allowed inside the temple
13. Egyptian Gods were offered various gifts, which were accepted by the priests who offered prayers on behalf
of the donor
14. Animal Cults - The Egyptians believed that the Spirit of a God resided in specific animals leading to various
animal cults in which these animals would be revered and worshipped as reincarnated Gods during their
lifetimes.
ThePeasantwho
becameking
 ThePeasantwhobecameKing
The Two Brothers--Peasant Life--The Temptress--Wrath of Anpu--Attempt to slay his Brother--Flight of
Bata--Elder Brother undeceived--Kills his Wife--Bata hides his Soul--His Wife--Sought by the King--Bata's
Soul Blossom destroyed--Wife becomes a Queen--Recovery of Lost Soul--Bata as a Bull--Slaughtered for the
Queen--Bata a Tree--Bata reborn as Son of his Wife--The King who slew his Wife--mother--Belief in
Transmigration of Souls.
THERE were once two brothers, and they were sons of the same father and of the same mother. Anpu was
the name of the elder, and the younger was called Bata. Now Anpu had a house of his own, and he had a wife.
His brother lived with him as if he were his son, and made garments for him. It was Bata who drove the oxen to
the field, it was he who ploughed the land, and it was he who harvested the grain. He laboured continually upon
his brother's farm, and his equal was not to be found in the land of Egypt; he was imbued with the spirit of a
god.
 In this manner the brothers lived together, and many days went past. Each morning the
younger brother went forth with the oxen, and when evening came on he drove them again to
the byre, carrying upon his back a heavy burden of fodder which he gave to the animals to
eat, and he brought with him also milk and herbs for Anpu and his wife. While these two ate
and drank together in the house, Bata rested in the byre with the cattle and he slept beside
them.
When day dawned, and the land grew bright again, the younger brother was first to rise
up, and he baked bread for Anpu and carried his own portion to the field and ate it there. As
he followed the oxen he heard and he understood their speech. They would say: "Yonder is
sweet herbage", and he would drive them to the place of their choice, whereat they were well
pleased. They were indeed noble animals, and they increased greatly.
 The time of ploughing came on, and Anpu spake unto Bata, saying: "Now get ready the
team of oxen, for the Nile flood is past and the land may be broken up. We shall begin to
plough on the morrow; so carry seed to the field that we may sow it."
As Anpu desired, so did Bata do. When the next day dawned, and the land grew bright,
the two brothers laboured in the field together, and they were well pleased with the work
which they accomplished. Several days went past in this manner, and it chanced that on an
afternoon the seed was finished ere they had completed their day's task.
 Anpu thereupon spake to his younger brother saying: "Hasten to the granary and procure more seed."
Bata ran towards the house, and entered it. He beheld his brother's wife sitting upon a mat, languidly
pleating her hair.
"Arise," he said, "and procure corn for me, so that I may hasten back to the field with it. Delay me not."
The woman sat still and said: "Go thou thyself and open the storeroom. Take whatsoever thou dost desire.
If I were to rise for thee, my hair would fall in disorder."
Bata opened the storeroom and went within. He took a large basket and poured into it a great quantity of
seed. Then he came forth carrying the, basket through the house.
The woman looked up and said: "What is the weight of that great burden of thine?"
Bata answered: "There are two measures of barley and three of wheat. I carry in all upon my
shoulders five measures of seed."
"Great indeed is thy strength," sighed the woman. "Ah, thee do I contemplate and admire each day!"
 Her heart was moved towards him, and she stood up saying: "Tarry here with me. I will clothe thee in fine raiment."
The lad was made angry as the panther, and said: "I regard thee as a mother, and my brother is like a father unto me.
Thou hast spoken evil words and I desire not to hear them again, nor will I repeat unto any man what thou hast just
spoken."
He departed abruptly with his burden and hastened to the field, where he resumed his labour.
At eventide Anpu returned home and Bata prepared to follow after him. The elder brother entered his house and
found his wife lying there, and it seemed as if she had suffered violence from an evildoer. She did not give him water to
wash his hands, as was her custom. Nor did she light the lamp. The house was in darkness. She moaned where she lay, as
if she were in sickness, and her garment was beside her.
"Who hath been here?" asked Anpu, her husband.
The woman answered him: "No one came nigh me save thy younger brother. He spoke evil words unto me, and I
said: 'Am I not as a mother, and is not thine elder brother as a father unto thee?' Then was he angry, and he struck me
until I promised that I would not inform thee. . . . Oh I if thou wilt allow him to live now, I shall surely die."
 The elder brother became like an angry panther. He sharpened his dagger and went out and
stood behind the door of the byre with purpose to slay young Bata when he came nigh.
The sun had gone down when the lad drove the oxen into the byre, carrying on his back
fodder and herbs, and in one hand a vessel of milk, as was his custom each evening.
The first ox entered the byre, and then it spoke to Bata, saying: "Beware I for thine elder
brother is standing behind the door. In his hand is a dagger, and he desires to slay thee. Draw not
nigh unto him."
The lad heard with understanding what the animal had said. Then the second ox entered and
went to its stall, and spake likewise words of warning, saying: "Take speedy flight."
Bata peered below the byre door, and he saw the legs of his brother, who stood there with a
dagger in his hand. He at once threw down his burden and made hurried escape. Anpu rushed after
him furiously with the sharp dagger.
 In his sore distress the younger brother cried unto the sun god Ra-Harmachis, saying: "O blessed lord! thou art he who
distinguisheth between falsehood and truth."
The god heard his cry with compassion, and turned round. 1 He caused a wide stream to flow between the two brothers,
and, behold! it was full of crocodiles. Then it came that Anpu and Bata stood confronting one another, one upon the right bank
and the other upon the left. The elder brother twice smote his hands with anguish because that he could not slay the youth.
Bata called out to Anpu, saying: "Tarry where thou art until the earth is made bright once again. Lo! When Ra, the sun
god, riseth up, I shall reveal in his presence all that I know, and he shall judge between us, discerning what is false and what is
true. . . . Know thou that I may not dwell with thee any longer, for I must depart unto the fair region of the flowering acacia."
When day dawned, and the sun god Ra appeared in his glory, the two brothers stood gazing one upon the other
across the stream of crocodiles. Then the lad spake to his elder brother, saying: "Why didst thou come against me,
desiring to slay me with treachery ere yet I had spoken for myself? Am I not thy younger brother, and hast thou not
been as a father and thy wife as a mother unto me? Hear and know now that when I hastened to procure seed thy
wife spoke, saying: 'Tarry thou with me.' But this happening hath been related unto thee in another manner."
 So spoke Bata, and he told his brother what was true regarding the woman. Then he called to witness the sun god, and
said: "Great was thy wickedness in desiring to murder me by treachery." As he spoke he cut off a piece of his flesh and flung
it into the stream, where it was devoured by a fish. He sank fainting upon the bank.
Anpu was stricken with anguish; tears ran from his eyes. He desired greatly to be beside his brother on the opposite bank
of the stream of crocodiles.
Bata spoke again, saying: "Verily, thou didst desire an evil thing, but if thy desire now is to do good, I shall instruct thee
what thou shouldn't do. Return unto thy home and tend thine oxen, for know now that I may not dwell with thee any longer,
but must depart unto the fair region of the flowering acacia. What thou shalt do is to come to seek for me when I need thine
aid, for my soul shall leave my body and have its dwelling in the highest blossom of the acacia. When the tree is cut down,
my soul will fall upon the ground. There thou mayest seek it, even if thy quest be for seven years, for, verily, thou shalt find it
if such is thy desire. Thou must then place it in a vessel of water, and I shall come to life again and reveal all that hath
befallen and what shall happen thereafter. When the hour cometh to set forth on the quest, behold! the beer given to thee will
bubble, and the wine will have a foul smell. These shall be as signs unto thee."
Then Bata took his departure, and he went into the valley of the flowering acacia, which was across the ocean. His elder
brother returned home. He lamented, throwing dust upon his head. He slew his wife and cast her to the dogs, and abandoned
himself to mourning for his younger brother.
 Many days went past, and Bata reached at length the valley of the flowering acacia. He dwelt there alone
and hunted wild beasts. At eventide he lay down to rest below the acacia, in whose highest blossom his soul was
concealed. In time he built a dwelling place and he filled it with everything that he desired.
Now it chanced that on a day when he went forth he met the nine gods, who were surveying the whole
land. They spoke one to another and then asked of Bata why he had forsaken his home because of his brother's
wife, for she had since been slain. "Return again," they said, "for thou didst reveal unto thine elder brother the
truth of what happened unto thee."
They took pity on the youth, and Ra spoke, saying: "Fashion now a bride for Bata, so that he may not be
alone."
Then the god Khnumu fashioned a wife whose body was more beautiful than any other woman's in the
land, because that she was imbued with divinity.
Then came the seven Hathors and gazed upon her. In one voice they spoke, saying: "She shall surely die a
speedy death."
Bata loved her dearly. Each day she remained in his house while he hunted wild beasts, and he carried
them home and laid them at her feet. He warned her each day, saying: "Walk not outside, lest the sea may come
up and carry thee away. I could not rescue thee from the sea spirit, against whom I am as weak as thou art,
because my soul is concealed in the highest blossom of the flowering acacia. If another should find my soul I
must needs fight for it."
 Thus he opened unto her his whole heart and revealed its secrets.
Many days went past. Then on a morning when Bata had gone forth to hunt, as was his custom, his girl wife
went out to walk below the acacia) which was nigh to the house.
Lo! the sea spirit beheld her in all her beauty and caused his billows to pursue her. Hastily she fled away and
returned to the house, whereat the sea spirit sang to the acacia: "Oh, would she were mine!"
The acacia heard and cast to the sea spirit a lock of the girl wife's hair. The sea bore it away towards the land of
Egypt and unto the place where the washers of the king cleansed the royal garments.
Sweet was the fragrance of the lock of hair, and it perfumed the linen of the king. There were disputes among
the washers because that the royal garments smelt of ointment, nor could anyone discover the secret thereof. The
king rebuked them.
Then was the heart of the chief washer in sore distress, because of the words which were spoken daily to him
regarding this matter. He went down to the seashore; he stood at the place which was opposite the floating lock of
hair, and he beheld it at length and caused it to be carried unto him. Sweet was its fragrance, and he hastened with it
to the king.
 Then the king summoned before him his scribes, and they speak, saying: "Lo! this is a lock from the hair of
the divine daughter of Ra, and it is gifted unto thee from a distant land. Command now that messengers be sent
abroad to seek for her. Let many men go with the one who is sent to the valley of the flowering acacia so that
they may bring the woman unto thee".
The king answered and said: "Wise are your words, and they are pleasant unto me."
So messengers were sent abroad unto all lands. But those who journeyed to the valley of the flowering
acacia returned not, because that Bata slew them all; the king had no knowledge of what befel them.
Then the king sent forth more messengers and many soldiers also, so that the girl might be brought unto
him. He sent also a woman, and she was laden with rare ornaments . . . and the wife of Bata came back with her.
Then was there great rejoicing in the land of Egypt. Dearly did the king love the divine girl, and he exalted
her because of her beauty. He prevailed upon her to reveal the secrets of her husband, and the king then said:
"Let the acacia be cut down and splintered in pieces."
Workmen and warriors were sent abroad, and they reached the acacia. They severed from it the highest
blossom, in which the soul of Bata was concealed. The petals were scattered, and Bata dropped down dead.
A new day dawned, and the land grew bright. The acacia was then cut down.
Meanwhile Anpu, the elder brother of Bata., went into his house, and he sat down and washed his
hands. He was given beer to drink, and it bubbled, and the wine had a foul smell.
 He seized his staff, put on his shoes and his garment, and armed himself for his journey, and departed unto
the valley of the flowering acacia.
When he reached the house of Bata he found the young man lying dead upon a mat. Bitterly he wept
because of that. But he went out to search for the soul of his brother at the place where, below the flowering
acacia) Bata was wont to lie down to rest at eventide. For three years he continued his search, and when the
fourth year came his heart yearned greatly to return to the land of Egypt. At length he said: "I shall depart at
dawn to-morrow."
A new day came, and the land grew bright. He looked over the ground again at the place of the acacia for
his brother's soul. The time was spent thus. In the evening he continued his quest also, and he found a seed,
which he carried to the house, and, lo! the soul of his brother was in it. He dropped the seed into a vessel filled
with cold water, and sat down as was his custom at evening.
Night came on, and then the soul absorbed the water.
The limbs of Bata quivered and his eyes opened and gazed upon his elder brother, but his heart was
without feeling. Then Anpu raised the vessel which contained the soul to the lips of Bata, and he drank the
water. Thus did his soul return to its place, and Bata was as he had been before.
 The brothers embraced and spoke one to the other. Bata said: "Now I must become a mighty bull with
every sacred mark. None will know my secret. Ride thou upon my back, and when the day breaks I shall be at
the place where my wife is. Unto her must I speak. Lead me before the king, and thou shalt find favour in his
eyes. The people will wonder when they behold me, and shout welcome. But thou must return unto thine own
home."
A new day dawned, and the land grew bright. Bata was a bull, and Anpu sat upon his back and they drew
nigh to the royal dwelling. The king was made glad, and he said: "This is indeed a miracle." There was much
rejoicing throughout the land. Silver and gold were given to the elder brother, and he went away to his own
home and waited there. In time the sacred bull stood in a holy place, and the beautiful girl wife was there. Bata
spoke unto her, saying: "Look thou upon me where I stand, for, lo! I am still alive."
Then said the woman: "And who art thou?"
The bull made answer: "Verily, I am Bata. It was thou who didst cause the acacia to be cut down; it was
thou who didst reveal unto Pharaoh that my soul had dwelling in the highest blossom, so that it might be
destroyed and I might cease to be. But, lo! I live on, and I am become a sacred bull."
 The woman trembled; fear possessed her heart whenBata spoke unto her in this manner. She at once went out of the
holy place.
It chanced that the king sat by her side at the feast, and made merry, for he loved her dearly. She spoke, saying:
"Promise before the god that thou wilt do what I ask of thee."
His Majesty took a vow to grant her the wish of her heart, and she said: "It is my desire to eat of the liver of the
sacred bull, for he is naught to thee."
Sorrowful was the king then, and his heart was troubled, because of the words which she spake. . . .
A new day dawned, and the land grew bright. Then the king commanded that the bull should be offered in sacrifice.
One of the king's chief servants went out, and when the bull was held high upon the shoulders of the people he
smote its neck and it cast two drops of blood towards the gate of the palace, and one drop fell upon the right side and
one upon the left. There grew up in the night two stately Persea trees from where the drops of blood fell down.
This great miracle was told unto the king, and the people rejoiced and made offerings of water and fruit to the
sacred trees.
 A day came when his majesty rode forth in his golden chariot. He wore his collar of lapis lazuli, and round
his neck was a garland of flowers. The girl wife was with him, and he caused her to stand below one of the
trees, and it whispered unto her:
"Thou false woman, I am still alive. Lo! I am even Bata, whom thou didst wrong. It was thou who didst
cause the acacia to be cut down. It was thou who didst cause the sacred bull to be slain, so that I might cease to
be."
Many days went past, and the woman sat with the king at the feast, and he loved her dearly. She spake,
saying: "Promise now before the god that thou wilt do what I ask of thee."
His Majesty made a vow of promise, and she said: "It is my desire that the Persea trees be cut down so that
two fair seats may be made of them."
As she desired, so was it done. The king commanded that the trees should be cut down by skilled
workmen, and the fair woman went out to watch them. As she stood there, a small chip of wood entered her
mouth, and she swallowed it.
 After many days a son was born to her, and he was brought before the king, and one said: "Unto thee a son
is given."
A nurse and servants were appointed to watch over the babe.
There was great rejoicing throughout the land when the time came to name the girl wife's son. The king
made merry, and from that hour he loved the child, and he appointed him Prince of Ethiopia.
Many days went past, and then the king chose him to be heir to the kingdom.
In time His Majesty fulfilled his years, and he died, and his soul flew to the heavens.
The new king (Bata) then said: "Summon before me the great men of my Court, so that I may now reveal
unto them all that hath befallen me and the truth concerning the queen."
His wife was then brought before him. He revealed himself unto her, and she was judged before the great
men, and they confirmed the sentence.
Then Anpu was summoned before His Majesty, and he was chosen to be the royal heir.
When Bata had reigned for thirty years, he came to his death, and on the day of his burial his elder brother
stood in his place.
TheHappyMan
 Intoxicated with this ecstasy, he savored it slowly and with a deep sense of wonder about its mysterious source. There
was nothing in his past to explain it or in his future to justify it. How did it come? How long would it last? Oh no, this must
be just a fleeting mood which could never be permanent. For if it lasted forever, man would become an angel and reach the
world beyond. Let him enjoy it now, live with it, treasure it, before it became a vague memory in the distant horizon.
He ate his breakfast with great appetite, looking from time to time with a bright, smiling face at Am Beshir who was
serving the food. The old man became increasingly surprised and anxious, because his master did not normally look in his
direction except to give orders or ask questions. Then he said to him:
Tell me, Am Beshir, am I a happy man?"
The man was embarrassed, since the master was for the first time addressing him as a companion or friend. After
moments of uneasy silence, he replied:
"My master is happy with God's gifts and blessings."
"Do you mean that I must be happy with my excellent position, beautiful apartment and good health? Is this what you
mean? But do you really think I am a happy man?"
"My master exerts himself beyond human endurance and often gets angry in heated discussions with other people."
 He interrupted him with a loud laugh and asked:
"What about you? Don't you have any worries?"
"Of course. Nobody lives without worries."
"Do you mean that perfect happiness is impossible?"
"Well, this is the nature of life." How could Beshir, or anybody else, imagine his wonderful state of
happiness? It was something strange and unique, as if it were his own private secret of all people on Earth.
In the conference room at the newspaper, he saw his greatest rival in this world turning the pages of a
magazine. The man heard his footsteps but did not raise his eyes. No doubt he somehow glanced quickly but
tried to ignore him for his own peace of mind. In regular meetings they often disagreed violently and exchanged
the harshest words until they were on the verge of fighting. And only last week he was shamefully defeated by
his rival in the union elections, which was a terrible blow to his pride that filled him with bitterness and
darkened his vision. But here he was now approaching his enemy with a pure and carefree heart, intoxicated
with that wonderful happiness, overflowing with tolerance and forgiveness, as if he were another man who
conveyed the promise of a new friendship. And without feeling awkward, he smilingly greeted him. Taken by
surprise, the man raised his eyes in wonder and for moments remained silent until he could collect himself and
answer the greeting briefly, as if he did not believe his eyes and ears. He sat close to him, saying:
 "The weather is gorgeous today."
"Oh yes."
"It's the kind of weather that fills the heart with deep happiness." The man looked at him cautiously and
intently, then mumbled:
"I am glad that you're happy."
He said laughingly:
"It's happiness beyond comprehension."
The other replied hesitantly:
"I hope that I will not spoil your mood at the meeting of the editorial board today."
"Oh, never. My opinion is well known to everybody. But I don't mind if the members accept your view."
"You have changed considerably overnight."
"In fact, I am happy beyond comprehension."
"I bet your son has changed his mind about staying in Canada for good."
 He chuckled and said:
"No, my friend, he has not changed his decision."
But that was your greatest source of grief.
"Oh, yes. I have pleaded with him again and again to come back in order to relieve my loneliness and serve
his country. But he told me that he intended to start an engineering business with a Canadian partner, and even
invited me to join him there. Let him live where he likes. But here I am--as you see--happy, unbelievably
happy."
"This is unique courage on your part."
"I don't know what it is, but I am happy in the full sense of the word."
Yes, this was happiness, rich and touchable, firm like absolute power, free as the air, violent as a flame,
fascinating as the scent of flowers. Yet this unnatural feeling could not last forever.
The other man, attracted by his friendliness, said amicably:
"In fact, I always regarded you as a man with a violent nature that caused you a good deal of suffering."
 "Really?"
"You don't know the meaning of compromise. You live intensely with your nerves, with your whole being,
fighting fiercely as if any problem were a matter of life or death."
He accepted this criticism tolerantly, as though it were a little wave in his infinite ocean of happiness, and
with a bright smile on his face, asked:
"Then, you believe that there should be some balance in my approach to events?"
"Certainly. Take, for example, our discussion yesterday about racism. We share the same opinion, and the
issue is worthy of enthusiasm to the point of anger. But what kind of anger? It should, in a sense, be intellectual,
abstract anger. Not the anger that would fray the nerves, cause indigestion and raise blood pressure. Right?"
"That is very clear to me now.
His heart would not release a single drop of its joys. Racism, Vietnam, Angola, Palestine . . . no problem
could invade the fortress of happiness which surrounded his heart. Whenever he remembered a problem, his
heart chuckled joyfully. It was, so to speak, a gigantic happiness, indifferent to any misery, always smiling in the
face of suffering. He wished to laugh, to dance, to sing, spreading his infinite mirth over problems of the world.
 Suddenly he felt that the office was too small for him; he had no desire to work. The mere thought of
his daily work was treated with absolute indifference and contempt, and he failed completely to bring his
mind down from the heaven of bliss. How could he write about the trolley bus which sank in the Nile,
when he was intoxicated with all this terrifying happiness? Yes, it was terrifying, coming as it did from
nowhere, violent to the point of exhaustion and paralyzing his will. Besides, it was now midday and the
feeling still possessed him without any sign of diminishing at all. He left his papers blank on the desk and
started pacing his room, laughing and snapping his fingers.
He had a moment of anxiety which did not sink deeply inside him, but floated as an abstract thought
on the surface of the mind. It occurred to him to recall deliberately the tragedies of his life in order to test
their effect on his present mood, hoping they might help him regain some equanimity or at least reassure
him that this happiness might eventually fade away. He recreated in his memory, for example, the death of
his wife with all its tragic circumstances. But the event seemed to him as a series of movements without
meaning or effect, as if it happened to another woman, the wife of another man, in a remote age of ancient
history. The recollection even had a pleasant effect on him so that he smiled and could not help laughing.
 The same thing happened when he remembered the first letter he received from his son, declaring his
intention to emigrate to Canada. And when he started to review mentally the bloody tragedies of the world, his
chuckles became so loud they might have been heard in the other offices or even in the street. Nothing could
touch his happiness. The memories of grief floated softly like gentle waves touching the sands of the shore.
Then he left his office and the whole building, without a note of apology for not attending the editorial meeting.
After lunch, he went to bed for the usual nap, but felt that sleep was impossible. There was no sign of its
approach in this bright, boisterous world of joy that kept him wide awake. He must have some rest and
tranquility, some inertia, some numbness in his senses. But how? Finally he left his bed and started humming a
tune while pacing his apartment back and forth. And he said to himself that if this state of mind and feeling
lasted longer, he would become totally incapable of sleep or work or grief. It was time to go to the club, but he
did not feel like meeting any of his friends. There was no sense in these endless talks about public affairs or
private worries. And what would his friends think of him if they found him laughing at the most serious
matters? No, he did not need anybody; he had no desire for conversation.
 It was essential for him to sit by himself or walk for miles to release some of this tremendous
energy. He must think deeply of what happened to him. How did this fabulous happiness assault
him? For how long could he carry this intolerable burden? Will this feeling deprive him forever of
his work and friends, of his sleep and peace of mind? Should he yield to it and drift with the
current? Or should he seek an outlet, through mental effort, strenuous work or professional advice?
He felt very lonely in the company of this overwhelming happiness, without a friend or guide
to help him. Suddenly he remembered there was the office of a psychiatrist across the street. But
he did not trust psychiatrists. Besides, he knew quite well that their treatment extended over long
periods of time, so that they became almost constant companions of their patients. And he laughed
when he remembered their method of free association to reveal the neuroses buried in the
subconscious mind. While his feet were leading him to the doctor's office, he was still laughing,
especially as he visualized the man listening to his strange complaint of happiness, when he
usually listened to people complaining of hysteria, depression, anxiety or schizophrenia.
"To tell you the truth, doctor, I came to you because I am happy beyond comprehension."
And he looked at his face to see the effect of his words, but the doctor kept his calm. Hardly had he started to tell
his story when the man stopped him with a gesture of his hand, and asked quietly:
"It is an overwhelming, strange, exhausting sort of happiness?"
He looked at him in amazement and was about to say something when the doctor resumed:
"It's happiness that would make you incapable of work, tired of friends and unable to sleep. And whenever you face
any suffering you burst out laughing."
"You must be a mind-reader."
"Oh no, nothing of this sort, but I see similar cases at least once a week."
"Is it an epidemic?
"I didn't say that. I don't even claim that I have been able, so far, to trace a single case to its original cause."
"But it's a disease?"
 "All the cases are still under treatment."
"But you are convinced they are all abnormal?"
"Well, in our field this is a necessary hypothesis."
"Did you observe a sign of insanity or emotional disturbance in any of them?" he asked anxiously. And he
pointed to his head in fear, but the doctor said with certainty:
"No. I assure you they are all sane in the proper sense of the word. But you will need two sessions every
week. You shouldn't worry or grieve. . . ."
Worry, grief? He smiled and the smile widened on his face until he burst out laughing. Then his resistance
collapsed completely and he could not control his tears.