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Updated: May 20, 2025
On the 20th of Paofi his holiness rose exactly at sunrise, and, to be nearer the scene of action, he transferred himself from the main palace to a villa which was hardly an hour's distance from Memphis. On one side of this villa were the barracks of the Asiatic troops, on the other the villa of Tutmosis and his wife, the beautiful Hebron.
"During the last ten years any prophet had more power than the nomarch of Thebes or of Memphis." "I think that Herhor is preparing in secret a boat in which to flee before the 23d of Paofi," put in Kalippos. "What will be done to Herhor?" said the scribe. "His holiness, who is terrible today, will forgive him when he is obedient."
But the force of the people was passive and tottering. When an agitator of the government spoke, the people were ready to attack a temple and beat priests, but when a procession appeared they fell on their faces and were timid while listening to accounts of disasters which threatened Egypt in that very month of Paofi.
Ye will do this immediately, so that there be supplies wherever needed till the 23d of Paofi." The treasurer inclined to the pavement. "Thou, scribe, wilt write and command to-morrow to herald forth in the streets of provincial capitals that barbarians of the western desert are advancing in great force to attack the province of Fayum. Thou, Kalippos, wilt dispatch four Greek regiments southward.
But an Egyptian prophet who has tried power and luxury Thou wilt win with nothing, only his death or thine can end the conflict." "Samentu speaks truth," said Tutmosis. "Happily not his holiness, but we, the warriors, will decide the ancient struggle between the priests and the pharaoh." On Paofi 12 alarming news went forth from various Egyptian temples.
Hence Herhor and Mefres, the high priests, commanded processions around the temples and sacrifice in houses. On Paofi 13 there was a great procession in Memphis: the god Ptah issued from his temple, and the goddess Isis from hers. Both divinities moved toward the centre of the city with a very small assembly of believers, mainly women.
In one of these the younger priests placed the sleeping Lykon with a bag on his head; in the other the high priest himself took his place and, surrounded by a party of horsemen went at a sharp trot in the direction of Fayum. On the night between the 14th and 15th Paofi the high priest Samentu, according to the promise given Ramses, entered the labyrinth by a corridor known to himself only.
Besides, Hiram, who intercepted Herhor's letters to the Assyrians will return no sooner than the 20th. So only on the 21st of Paofi shall we have proofs in our hands that the high priests are traitors, and we shall announce their treason in public." "Then am I to go to Fayum?" inquired Kalippos. "Oh, no! Thou and Tutmosis will remain near me with chosen regiments.
"The temples and the labyrinth must be occupied by troops on the 23d of Paofi," continued the pharaoh, turning to the chief scribe. "The people both in Memphis and Fayum may begin to assemble on the 18th, at first in small groups, then in increasing numbers. But if slight disturbances begin about the 20th, they are not to be prevented.
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