Work Text:
Preface to a collection of Egyptian artifacts in the House of Wisdom
Although our library is dominated by Persian and Greek works, we do have some materials pertaining to the dynasties of Pharaonic Egypt. The fact that we have any information on the oldest dynasties is largely due to the efforts of Khaemweset of Egypt, and for that we can only be grateful. Not much exists relating to the man himself. It is likely we are missing some sources on his life due to the loss of the Library of Alexandria. We have decided to compile the tablets and a scraps of parchment that lend some insight into his interest in historical preservation. He often speaks of the ancient ones. He is just as ancient in our times, now, and so it is appropriate to preserve details of his life as well.
Tablet A
From: King Ramesses II
To: His wife, Isetnofret
Say to Isetnofret, King’s Wife, Hereditary Princess, Great of Praises, mother of our sons the prince Ramesses and the prince Khaemweset: For me all goes well in Kadesh. For our sons all goes well in Kadesh. [...] well for you in your household and with your ladies and with our daughter the princess Bintanath.
I received your gift of [...] with gladness. In return, I am sending you jewelry of divers stones so that you may further beautify your household. May you [...] and wear them in gladness and know how your husband esteems you even when far away.
[Illegible portion assumed to contain news about prince Ramesses based on context] [...] Khaemweset also acquitted himself well despite his youth during our long campaign. While in Hatti, we heard of a city-state that is protected by great wide walls. There are rumors that a man can dig in that city’s dirt and uncover remnants of older walls that have been felled by earthquakes. I tried to learn what sort of material went into the earliest walls. Clearly the material was insufficient, and so I wish to avoid being tricked into receiving it during trade. Khaemweset is asking me many questions about the names of the long ago kings that would have ordered the construction of those walls. I do not have answers for him.
Before we return, I give you leave to consult with priests and archivists so that we may answer Khaemweset’s question. I also intend to send him to a priesthood. He has the mind for that vocation.
The Golden Paint Papyrus
[The following does not have gold paint on it. Rather, it is a remarkably well-preserved missive discussing a discovery made by the prince Khaemweset]
From: Khaemweset, sem-Priest of Ptah
To: His father, King Ramesses II
Say to our King Ramesses, the Strong Bull, great of Sed festivals and beloved of the Two Lands: All goes well in Memphis with myself and my retainers and the people of this city. May all go very well in the city of Pi-Ramesses with your household and your retainers and your chariots.
My father has asked once again if we have located the Apis Bull’s incarnation in the city of Memphis, and I say once again that we have not. The bull put forth as a possible candidate is a most excellent creature, clearly beloved of the gods. He lacks the requisite markings, however, and so the search must continue. I understand my royal father’s fervent desire to locate the deity. I share the same desire and hope the god will soon reveal himself in all his wisdom unto me and my priesthood.
You may be pleased to learn that this journey to Memphis has not been entirely in vain. I accepted an escort to travel to Giza and do reverence at the mighty pyramid of our forbear King Khufu. I went with [...] and he bade me thank you for ensuring the advantageous marriage of one of his daughters.
When we arrived at the necropolis of the ancient ones, I lifted my prayers to Ptah and thus felt encouraged to climb up the side of the pyramid. It is not arrayed in steps like the even older pyramids, however the ravages of time have chipped away at the pyramids' smooth surfaces. I was able to find handholds in order to ascend partway up the grand monument.
I made an extraordinary discovery while engaged in this feat. Some white paint and flecks of gold dust were adhered to some stones. I send to you some rubble that had already come loose from its brick generations ago. My father will doubtless observe the paint on it with his own eyes. He will see that the paint is weathered and not something I could have put on it. It is often said the ancient ones painted their pyramids. I believe my discovery is evidence that it is so.
I wonder if my royal father remembers taking me and my older brother with him on a campaign to Nubia. We spent one night taking shelter in [...] and you said the paintings on the boulder had been made in a time even before kings. At such a young age that struck me with wonder and fear. Time has not diminished that wonder and fear. Osiris was our first king. What could it mean to be a humble human that lived even before the rule of so great a god? What could so ancient a people know that we have lost?
It also seems lamentable that such ancient artwork can still appear so vibrant, but the burial places of our earliest kings have lost their paint. With my royal father’s leave, I seek the opportunity to make a survey of all our old monuments after we have located the young Apis Bull.
I further seek permission to [...] so that I might repay my host for his fear during my sudden climb. If I feel called to do something similar in the future, please take this letter as a formal declaration that any fall resulting in injury or death must be placed at my feet. No one should be punished should the gods choose to call me to my fate.
Tablet B
From: Khaemweset, sem-Priest of Ptah
To: [Recipient illegible]
Say to the priests tasked with the ongoing restoration of King Userkaf’s burial complex: In six months I will be with you to oversee activities on this endeavor. Heed my instructions in advance of my arrival.
First: Please ascertain the progress on the statue of Bast and [...] and send me correspondence detailing your findings. If its construction is still delayed due to a lack of proper materials I will bring them from Thebes. It is imperative that this statue is completed for our King Userkaf.
Prepare the following offerings to replenish our King Userkaf’s tomb as we have noted it has long since been depleted by tomb robbers:
- Loaves of bread
- Jars of beer
- Jars of honey
- Baskets of dates
- Baskets of melons
- Enough funerary figurines to comprise the proper number of servants for a king
- Sandals
- Chairs
- Tables
- [...]
- [...]
- A lute
- A sistrum
- [...]
I will trust to the local priests’ wisdom in the exact amounts that are appropriate
There is no need to prepare food that is not included on this list. I have dried a great deal of meat and fish with salt and have begun the process of sealing them with resin. They will be well-preserved for the afterlife.
You may disregard my last request outlining a need for jewelry. Trade has brought a great deal of lapis lazuli to our shores. I do not know if the ancient kings had extensive trade routes. I think our King Userkaf will appreciate lapis lazuli, even if he has seen it before.
Tablet C
From: [...], envoy to the kingdom of Egypt
To: [...] of Alashiya
Say to my king, may the gods go with you and the weather remain favorable. May your [...] and household be well.
Your servant writes to you about trade matters. The Egyptians will soon be willing to trade untold numbers of luxuries for copper.
Your servant knows this because he witnessed an exchange between the King Ramses and his heir, the Prince Khaemweset. The prince is surpassing reverent to his people’s ancestors. He often enters the tombs of ancient kings and restores their tombs to glory.
These inclinations caused discord amongst the Egyptian nobility. There are some who see it as a great sacrilege and go to the king with their anger and offense. The uproar became so great that the Egyptian King ordered his son to present himself for questioning.
The prince Khaemweset argued his case before the realm’s greatest nobility. He said that it was not an act of sacrilege to enter tombs if one’s goal was to counteract the damage done by tomb robbers. He said it was an act of piety and the gods would smile upon his actions. He said [...] spoke about the emptiness of every tomb he has entered and how it ran contrary to their ongoing duty to the ancient ones.
His arguments moved his father and the nobility. They turned away from condemnation and began speaking of ways they might contribute to beautifying all tombs for the dead kings. They expressed some interest in making offerings of present-day inventions. This is why your servant believes many Egyptians will be minded to purchase our kingdom’s copper at a favorable price to our merchants.
The Meheweskhe Papyrus
[The following is the legible portion of a scrap of papyrus found in the grave of an unknown royal woman. It is called the Meheweskhe Papyrus because it is believed to be a letter from Khaemweset to his wife .]
[...] As for me, do not worry after my well-being. Our great King Ramses did call me to his palace and bade me answer for my activities in the tombs of our ancient ones. He never intended to punish me. We needed to playact at his being displeased and my being chastened. It was the only way to convey that we had given this matter much serious thought and to convey that my father was not showing me undue favor. As a prince, I am able to go where many our not allowed. I am using that privilege to restore these tombs. However, my father was once as skeptical as the nobility. He now understands that my actions glorify his reign as well as providing comfort to the ancient ones.
Be at ease knowing all is well and I will be with you soon. I have many stories to tell about the tomb of [...]