Before the Throne

10

HORUS HERALDED, “King Seqenenra!”

A thin, tallish man came in, marching in his shroud until he stood before the throne.

Thoth, Scribe of the Gods, then recited, “He was Prince of Thebes, ruler of the Far South, the province that did not bow to the rule of the Hyksos — the so-called ‘Shepherd Kings’—though he was compelled to pay them tribute. The Shepherds provoked him as they prepared to annex his domain to their immediate control, complaining that the lowing of the hippos in his palace’s lake deprived their king’s eyes of sleep. Yet he spurned the demand to surrender, leading his army to confront the foe. He had the good fortune to fall in battle, slain by numerous wounds to his head and face.”

Osiris invited him to speak.

“I belong to the family that resisted the invasion,” said Seqenenra, “fortifying ourselves in the South until the enemy tired of attacking us. A truce was proclaimed, leaving the South under my family’s authority in return for an annual tax. This situation prevailed for over a hundred years, until I rose to the throne. I had spent no time thinking of the aggressor who had usurped our lands, nor had I prepared to combat him, when he seduced himself into creeping southward. My capacity in both men and matériel was limited, hence — while treating her as an equal — I annexed Nubia to my province, recruiting some of her men to strengthen my army. When the foe confronted me, opinions around me clashed: a minority called for defense of our realm, while the majority warned of a terrible outcome. But I gave courage to the fearful while inciting their anxiety over religion, rule, and ideals until I aroused the defeatists to fight. My army fought doggedly, regaining some of its self-confidence by doing so. In one of the battles, the enemy encircled me, so I slew three of them, then spears and axes rained down upon me.”

“Did you exhaust all political means before embarking on a futile war?” Ptahhotep asked.

“I did indeed,” Seqenenra replied, “yet I would have needed three years more to prepare properly for the day of battle. But I later learned they had amassed their army even before they had sent me their warning.”

“You lived as a hero,” Abnum praised him, “and you died as a hero.”

Isis said, “I repeat what my son Abnum said, that you lived as a hero, and died one too.”

Osiris bid him, “Take your seat among the Immortals.”