24 Hours in Ancient Egypt by Donald P.Ryan

Author:Donald P.Ryan
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Michael O'Mara

Do not displace the surveyor’s marker on the boundaries of the arable land, nor alter the position of the measuring line. Do not covet a single cubit of land, nor encroach on the boundaries of a widow, for one who transgresses the furrow shortens a lifetime, and one who acquires by deceptive means, will be lassoed by the might of the moon … Be careful not to topple over the boundary markers of the fields, not fearing that you will be brought to court.

THE INSTRUCTION OF AMENEMOPET

Already exhausted from tedium, the one official that the vizier actually finds fascinating is the Overseer of Royal Works, who now comes before him. Receiving updates on the construction of such things as temples, palaces and royal statuary would always feel like progress was being made and even the occasional problems could involve challenging but satisfying solutions. There are two small obelisks being created at a quarry down south, and a new palace being built up north, both of which were reported to be successfully underway. Of special interest is the construction of Amenhotep’s own royal tomb in the Place of Secrets, the royal cemetery whose details are known but to a few. As vizier, Amenemopet has been privileged to visit the building site on a number of occasions as the tomb has gradually grown in size. And on a personal note, he had previously asked the overseer to put an architect and work crew to work on building his own tomb in the growing cemetery for wealthy bureaucrats. His predecessor, Rekhmire, had certainly done so and the tomb of his brother, Sennefer, was well underway.

The tomb of Amenemopet’s predecessor, Rekhmire, is incredibly decorated with scenes of crafts and professional activities of all sorts, some of which serve as illustrations in this book. The tomb of his brother, Sennefer, is likewise extraordinary, with smoothed and plastered irregularities in its ceiling allowing for the painting of grape clusters with a feeling of three dimensions.

Amenemopet’s tomb would be carved into the rock next to the tomb of his brother and it would be on a par with his status as a vizier. Its chapel walls would be covered with texts noting his accomplishments and scenes of a splendid Afterlife. It is far from being finished but hopefully all would be in order on that unknown day when his own mummification was complete and his body was ready to be installed therein for eternity.

The meeting with the Overseer of Royal Works is a short, pleasant and refreshing exchange, and when the official departs, Amenemopet traverses the palace to the king’s chamber from which he hears some laughing. Peeking his head through the curtain, he notices the steward and fan-bearer, Kenamun, sitting in one of the king’s chairs while Amenhotep sits on the edge of his bed after recently awakening from a nap. ‘Pairy!’ calls the king, using the vizier’s personal nickname, meaning ‘companion’. ‘Kenamun was just telling me about the dispute about the boundary marker and the

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