Before the Throne

34

HORUS HERALDED, “King Psamtek the First!”

A boney, bent-over man came in, walking in his shroud until he stood before the throne.

Thoth, Recorder of the Divine Court, then read aloud, “He proclaimed himself monarch over Egypt. He brought back the nation’s unity and fixed the foundations of order. He marshaled a mighty army made up of foreign mercenaries, using it to reimpose Egypt’s dominion over Palestine.”

Osiris summoned him to speak.

“I was a descendant of Sethnakht,” said Psamtek I, “one of twelve princes who governed in the northern province in the shadow of the Assyrians. Due to foreign factors, the power of the Assyrians began to wane, so I resolved to declare Egypt’s independence and territorial integrity. I ended the authority of the princes through a series of assaults, announcing myself as Egypt’s pharaoh. I appointed my sister Nitocris as high priestess of Thebes in order to assert my hold on the clergy, and the nation’s union and internal disciple were restored.

“I concentrated on the economy, while recruiting an army of Greeks and Carians, as well as Syrians and Libyans. The people were blessed with security and prosperity, and harked back on their own to the Old Kingdom in taste, tradition, and the rituals of worship — I saw no harm in that. Egypt’s sovereignty over Palestine returned, and the country became again nearly what it was five hundred years before, under Ramesses III.

“A majestic achievement, for which we are grateful,” said the wise Imhotep, vizier to King Djoser.

“What could be more beautiful than for a people to revive their ancient heritage,” Khufu agreed.

“I consider it a reactionary movement — how do you interpret it, King Psamtek?” asked Akhenaten.

“The people suffered such humiliation under the foreigners that they launched a peaceful revolution against their imported customs — seeking refuge in their original roots and their ancestral traditions.”

“But you yourself marched in an opposite direction,” noted Thutmose III, “and put up an army of alien troops!”

“Egypt was threatened from the east, west, and south,” explained Psamtek I, “but the Egyptians had lost their military drive, and were resigned to defeat. I saved the situation with the means available.”

“See what he has done for his homeland,” rhapsodized Isis, “under the most arduous conditions possible!”

“Take your seat among the Immortals,” decreed Osiris.