Before the Throne

30

HORUS HERALDED, “King Ramesses the Third!”

A lumbering giant of a man came in, and moved in his winding sheet till he loomed before the throne.

Thoth, Recorder of the Sacred Court, then read aloud, “He was victorious over invaders from Asia and the West, and over the Sea Peoples too. The nation dwelt in peace and protection.”

Osiris asked him to address the proceedings.

“Due to the unrest inside Egypt, the Levantine rulers threw off their traces. Meanwhile, the Libyans lusted to conquer our land. Then suddenly we were flooded on our northern coast by peoples coming with their whole families, who set up colonies inside the country. In the event, I launched into ruthless combat, driving the Libyans from our soil. I exterminated the Sea Peoples, making captives of their women and young. Next I commanded a campaign in Asia, decimating them without mercy. During my time, Egypt was graced with security and stability, as I erected multitudes of palaces and temples.

“But from sheer bad fortune, in my old age, a conspiracy hatched in my harem aimed to seize the throne by force. I created a tribunal to try those responsible, and ordered that justice be served, with no criminal acquitted and no innocent condemned. Yet tragically, two of the judges succumbed to the allure of the women accused, and took their own lives when their lapse was exposed.”

“Your record reveals you are a most extraordinary leader,” said Thutmose III.

“I followed your footsteps in my conquest of Asia,” replied Ramesses III.

“Your treatment of the conspirators is to your credit,” added Akhenaten. “Your putting them forward for trial rather than striking them down on the spot, your prompt setting up of the court in order to carry out an investigation to arrive at justice — all this bears witness to your reverence for the law, and your passion for the noble deeds of morality. It’s as though you were among the worshipers of the One and Only God.”

“I too adored the noble deeds of morality, which is how all the believers of the gods were raised.”

“The wiles of women nearly killed a great king,” tut-tutted the Sage Ptahhotep, “while causing the deaths of two judges, as well.”

“The One God fashioned women to expose the elements that men are made of,” said Queen Nefertiti. “The precious and the worthless, too!”

“Welcome to this son, who is both great and noble in one!” exclaimed the goddess Isis.

“Go to your place among the Immortals,” pronounced Osiris.