A Tale of Amenhotep
A TALE OF AMENHOTEP1
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ Here begins a tale of Amenhotep, Pharaoh of Upper and Lower Egypt. In the twelfth flood of his reign he called his Chief Scribe saying, “I am most concerned with the new lands Commander Zaty has conquered for us. I have decided to divide the lands between two trusted nobles, Sihathor and Pemsah.” “Wise, oh divine Amenhotep,” replied the Chief Scribe. “Sihathor is Commander Zaty’s son.” “Yes,” replied Amenhotep with a twinkle in his eye, “And Pemsah is the nephew of the Chief Priest of Isis.” Earlier in the season the Chief Scribe sent an underling to investigate the new lands and the report indicated that the lands were indeed rich. Each arura,2 properly cultivated and with the blessings of Isis, should Source: http://www.kingtutone.com/ yield about a 2.5 sacks of corn annually.3 “However,” the report states, “the lands to the west seem to be somewhat more fertile than the lands to the east of the River. The western lands should produce 2.55 sacks per arura whereas the eastern lands only 2.45 sacks per arura.” The next day Sihathor and Pemsah appeared before Amenhotep. “I am placing Egypt’s new lands under your care,” Amenhotep began. “To you Sihathor I give the 20,000 arura west of the River and to you Pemsah I give the 15,000 arura east of the River. With the blessings of Isis, your lands should be fruitful and produce bountiful grain. Each year my Chief Scribe shall visit your lands and collect one out of every four sacks of your harvest as my Royal Tax.” And so it was that Sihathor and Pemsah embarked for their new lands. Before embarking, the Chief Scribe gave Sihathor 10,000 sacks and Pemsah 7,000 sacks of corn saying, “I have drawn corn from the royal treasury to provide your first year’s seed and operating capital. When I arrive after the first harvest you must repay this advance. Pharaoh also expects you to pay your harvest tax when I arrive.” The Chief Scribe then gave each a Royal Title to the
⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯ Here begins a tale of Amenhotep, Pharaoh of Upper and Lower Egypt. In the twelfth flood of his reign he called his Chief Scribe saying, “I am most concerned with the new lands Commander Zaty has conquered for us. I have decided to divide the lands between two trusted nobles, Sihathor and Pemsah.” “Wise, oh divine Amenhotep,” replied the Chief Scribe. “Sihathor is Commander Zaty’s son.” “Yes,” replied Amenhotep with a twinkle in his eye, “And Pemsah is the nephew of the Chief Priest of Isis.” Earlier in the season the Chief Scribe sent an underling to investigate the new lands and the report indicated that the lands were indeed rich. Each arura,2 properly cultivated and with the blessings of Isis, should Source: http://www.kingtutone.com/ yield about a 2.5 sacks of corn annually.3 “However,” the report states, “the lands to the west seem to be somewhat more fertile than the lands to the east of the River. The western lands should produce 2.55 sacks per arura whereas the eastern lands only 2.45 sacks per arura.” The next day Sihathor and Pemsah appeared before Amenhotep. “I am placing Egypt’s new lands under your care,” Amenhotep began. “To you Sihathor I give the 20,000 arura west of the River and to you Pemsah I give the 15,000 arura east of the River. With the blessings of Isis, your lands should be fruitful and produce bountiful grain. Each year my Chief Scribe shall visit your lands and collect one out of every four sacks of your harvest as my Royal Tax.” And so it was that Sihathor and Pemsah embarked for their new lands. Before embarking, the Chief Scribe gave Sihathor 10,000 sacks and Pemsah 7,000 sacks of corn saying, “I have drawn corn from the royal treasury to provide your first year’s seed and operating capital. When I arrive after the first harvest you must repay this advance. Pharaoh also expects you to pay your harvest tax when I arrive.” The Chief Scribe then gave each a Royal Title to the