by Max Overton
In Iunu, Tausret spoke to the priests as usual, and then summoned a famous sculptor who had fashioned many images of kings. She outlined a special statue she wanted made that would highlight her status as regent and the dependence of the king upon her.
"It is unusual, Great Lady," sculptor Mutem said.
"But not unheard of," Tausret said. "Queen Ankhnesmeryre had herself carved with her child Pepy."
"Ah yes, Neferkare Pepy. I remember the statue in question. The boy-king was in full regalia seated upon the lap of his mother."
"That is what I want."
"But he was er, her natural son..." Mutem looked uncomfortable.
"That is immaterial," Tausret said. "She was there as regent to the young king and that is exactly why I will be there in this statue you will carve. You will depict me as ruling regent with Akhenre seated upon my lap."
"It shall be as you command, Great Lady."
Tausret had debated with herself whether to commission another statue with her son Seti-Merenptah seated upon her lap, but decided against it. There would be time enough for that later, though perhaps he might feature in a description somewhere. It would not do for her young son to slip from the minds of the people during the years of Siptah's reign.
The Queen Regent returned to Men-nefer long enough to catch up on local government before setting out for the south, where she would be duplicating her efforts in the north and arranging for inscriptions and chapels to be constructed throughout Ta Shemau. Ament accompanied her again, willingly putting aside his duties as Overseer of Vineyards and Army Commander. The former duties he left in the hands of his foster-sons Ephrim and Jerem, while the latter could be adequately handled by junior officers.
***
They came again to the city of Waset, and both Tausret and Ament remembered happier former times there. The Hem-netjer of Amun greeted her on the quay and welcomed her into the house of the god, where they talked at length about affairs of state and the reasons for her visit.
"I should congratulate you, Hem-netjer Bakenkhons," Tausret said. "Former Hem-netjer Roma-Rui has adopted you into his house and made you his heir."
"Thank you, Majesty. I must admit I was surprised. Roma-Rui was never particularly loyal to Userkheperure, and I thought he resented my accession to the position."
"I think his action has something to do with Amenmesse's son being made king. That; and the fact that he is childless. Of what use is a hereditary title if you have no one to hand it on to? You have sons already and are Hem-netjer, so he manages to adopt you and become head of your house at the same time."
Bakenkhons smiled. "I will not let him influence my decisions," he said.
Tausret laughed. "I should hope not."
"How may Amun be of service to you, Majesty?"
"Rather, how may I be of service to Amun? I wish to display my piety and that of the king, but we must remember that the treasury coffers are not bottomless. Perhaps there are some repairs that can be made to existing structures instead of constructing whole new edifices?"
"Indeed, Majesty. The attention of the king...and of the regent...is most welcome.
"I can think of a few minor repairs within the Great Temple--a leaking roof, a bit of subsidence in one corner of the forecourt, refurbishing of some painted surfaces--nothing too expensive. Then there are a host of repairs to temples throughout Ta Shemau, some great, others small. I can have a list drawn up for your consideration, with an estimate of the cost of each."
"That would be useful," Tausret agreed. She paused to collect her thoughts. "I would like to refurbish the barque shrine of Userkheperure which lies inside the first pylon of the Great Temple also."
"A pious act, Majesty, though the barque shrine is in good repair."
"Perhaps the holy implements can be upgraded? Or the walls replastered and decorated? Either way, I wish our son Seti-Merenptah to be represented. He is no longer an infant and must soon take his place as his father's son."
"I shall give it my personal attention, Majesty."
"Thank you, Bakenkhons. Now, there are two other reasons for my visit to Waset. I must make sure work has started again on my tomb and that of the king, and I am of a mind to start my Mansion of Millions of Years."
"One cannot neglect such important works," the Hem-netjer agreed. "I can instruct the temple architects to advise you on the Mansion, at least."
Tausret started to rise from her chair, and Bakenkhons leapt to his feet. He cleared his throat and looked expectantly at the Regent. When she raised an eyebrow interrogatively, he spoke.
"There is one other act you might like to consider, Majesty, though again it is only repair work."
"Go on."
"You will no doubt be aware of the temple dedicated to Amun and Re-Horakhty at Amada in Kush that was originally built by Menkheperre. It was desecrated by the Heretic, but Menmaatre, Usermaatre and Baenre all made some restorations and of course added their own texts reminding the god of their service. Well, there is still work that needs to be done--in particular, the door jambs leading into the temple are damaged and need replacing.
"If I may be so bold, Majesty, replacing them with pristine new stone would leave some beautiful fresh surfaces on which to inscribe praiseworthy texts."
"How much would this cost?" Tausret asked, mentally calculating the reserves of gold still in the treasury. Bakenkhons named a sum and Tausret nodded. "That would be satisfactory."
"Excellent." Bakenkhons could not help rubbing his hands together and called in a temple scribe to take down some details of the required repair and construction. "Now I assume you will want the king carved on one jamb, and perhaps you on the other, Majesty?"
Tausret thought for several moments. She had committed to memory key phrases to be used in several inscriptions and these now needed modifying to suit the circumstances.
"No, the king is still in his minority. Naturally, I will feature on the right door jamb, standing and dressed as a queen, with the words 'God's Wife of Amun, the King's Great Wife, Lady of the Two Lands, Tausret Setepenmut, justified'. On the other you will have Chancellor Bay, kneeling and adoring the king, with the words 'Ramesse Kha'amen-teru Bay, friend of the king, Chancellor of the Entire Land'. The figure of Bay is to be facing columns of text reading 'Lord of the Two Lands, Akhenre Setepenre, and Lord of Appearances, Merenptah Siptah'.
Bakenkhons licked his lips and looked slightly agitated as the scribe took down the regent's words. "The...er, figures will look unbalanced, Majesty. I mean, one standing and one kneeling. Perhaps both figures could be represented standing?"
"That would give Chancellor Bay equal status to myself," Tausret replied sharply. "I, as God's Wife of Amun, stand as I enter the presence of the god, whereas Bay is simply an official who serves the king and therefore kneels in submission."
"Very good, Majesty. It shall be accomplished."
***
Tausret collected Ament on the way out of the temple and made her way across the river to the western shore. For a moment, she hesitated as she went to mount the chariot waiting for her, and then directed the driver to take her to the western palace.
"I am tired, Ament. I had thought to drive out to the Great Field today, but it is too hot. Tomorrow will be soon enough."
The servants of the western palace had been warned of the Queen Regent's arrival in Waset and had rooms prepared for her and her small retinue. Ament, ever mindful of Tausret's safety, immediately inspected the palace guards and made a few changes, instituting new passwords and procedures. A meal was prepared and tasted, and a cool scented bath prepared, after which Tausret relaxed in the palace gardens until nightfall.
The next morning, Tausret and Ament were driven out to the raised plain across from the city, and inspected the site for its suitability to house her Mansion. The Amun temple's architect, Senmut, was waiting for them.
"Mighty Lady, may you live forever," Senmut said, bowing deeply. "I am Senmut. Hem-netjer Bakenkhons has instruc
ted me as to your requirements. Have you fixed upon a suitable site?"
"I hoped you could you advise me, Senmut."
"I would be honoured, Mighty Lady." The architect looked around and then strode off across the raised plain, skirting piles of rubble and the sharp drop-off of the escarpment. He stood and stared at the Mansion dedicated to Baenre for a few minutes, turned to look at Usermaatre's Mansion, and then returned to where Tausret and Ament were waiting.
"North of Baenre's Mansion, Mighty Lady, and south of Usermaatre's. It is the only logical place." Senmut proceeded to outline the main axis of the building.
"I don't suppose I can afford one the size of Usermaatre's, but I want it to be as large as Baenre's," Tausret said.
Senmut nodded and made a few notations on a clay tablet he carried. "There is a lot of rubble to be cleared away, and some rock to be cut through to create a level surface, even before we think about digging out the trenches or laying the foundation stones."
"How long will it take?"
Senmut started to shrug and then thought better of it. "That depends on how much gold you want to pour into it, Mighty Lady. A year to get the site prepared and another two to get the main structure up, perhaps. Five years in all?"
"Too long. Shorten the time."
"A smaller mansion, perhaps?"
"No. Find other ways."
Senmut bowed again, not wanting to argue with such an exalted person. "I shall draw up some detailed plans, Mighty Lady, together with some estimates of costs and times, and submit them for your approval."
"Very good, and while you are planning my Mansion, please allow for a small Mansion dedicated to Akhenre Siptah. Nothing elaborate or eye-catching--small and functional."
"As you command, Mighty Lady. An adjunct to your own mansion perhaps?"
"No." Tausret looked at the spaces between the existing mansions. "Over there somewhere," she said, pointing. "Between Menkheperre and Usermaatre."
"Yes, Mighty Lady. Hem-netjer Bakenkhons mentioned that you wished to have work on your tomb started again. Will you require my architectural services?"
"No, my tomb has already been partly constructed. I will see the scribe in the Place of Truth and arrange matters. You may leave me now, Senmut. Bring your plans to me as soon as they are ready, and we will discuss costs."
Senmut bowed again and departed, leaving Tausret and Ament on the raised plain near the Mansions of Millions of Years of her adopted father Baenre.
Chapter 14
Chancellor Ramesse Kha'amen-teru Bay speaks:
Truly, I am risen in the world and anything is within my grasp. Less than two years since my nephew Siptah became king and already I have become the power behind the throne of Kemet. Oh, I know that the Queen is officially Regent and thus rules the Kingdoms in all but name, but day by day my power grows and soon, I can see, I will rule in her stead. The greatest mistake she ever made was to confirm me in my position as Chancellor and Treasurer, for all the wealth of Kemet flows through my fingers and, as long as I am discreet, I can achieve much with the king's gold.
The priests have told Queen Tausret that it is the will of the gods that she accept and nurture the king during his minority, and that is what she is doing. For months now she has travelled up and down the Great River with her little dog Ament, spending the king's gold and having her name inscribed on temple walls and steles everywhere. I know, because the bills from the priests and governors cross my desk. She does everything in the king's name, so he gets the credit for all her actions, but she appends her own name to each inscription. Strange to say, she even adds my name to some of them. I think it is because she knows she cannot get rid of me just yet and still hold onto the love of young Siptah.
That boy is the means by which I will attain power. He is desperate to be loved and you can be sure that I have fostered his insecurities, telling him that the Queen is determined to control him and will find a way to prevent him ever becoming sole ruler unless I can act for him. That is not far off the truth, as I show him love and always support his efforts to become independent of the Regent. That is why I encourage him to hunt and pursue other manly pastimes, though without ever exposing him to real danger. I nearly lost the boy to a wild bull recently and that gave me a great scare. As the boy's loving uncle I can attain any height, but if he dies, I am nothing. Tausret would not let me live beyond his lifetime.
To secure myself against this, I am using the king's gold to buy myself favours from powerful people throughout the Kingdoms. The judicious outlay of gold and the promise of future favours gains me many friends, and if those men befriend me solely for what they can gain, what is wrong with that? When I am regent it will matter little, and when I am king it will matter not at all. Power is everything.
The gold flows steadily to priests of every important god, to court officials, to governors, to overseers who control the lifeblood of Kemet. I have even caused my name to be added to certain inscriptions saying things like 'He who establishes the king on the throne of his father', something that has only ever been said by gods or kings. Well, that too is no more than the truth, however unpalatable to the Queen and her supporters. Who was it who put forward Siptah's name in the face of those who hated his father? Who was it who bribed the priests to persuade Tausret the gods wanted him on the throne? Who is it who spends every waking moment gathering supporters to his cause? And who is it who dins the ears of the gods continually to protect Akhenre Siptah and to raise Ramesse Kha'amen-teru Bay to the throne after him?
Soon, I will be able to make my move. My nephew grows apace and though he will always be a cripple and scarcely half a king, yet must I raise him to that status in the eyes of all men. I shall send him off to war--oh, no, he will be in no danger, for I shall hedge him about with armed men and the enemy will be the weakest one I can find. Then, in a year or two, when all men can point to Akhenre Siptah as a true king of Kemet, I will succeed in throwing off the yoke of the Regent and allowing my boy to rule alone. Alone, that is, but for the real power behind the throne--me. I shall have myself crowned as co-ruler, the better to help and advise my nephew, and then, when the young king tragically dies, I shall take my place on the Double Throne.
I have in my possession two lists--one that details every priest, official, or army commander that I have ever bribed, and one that lists my enemies and those that refuse to be bribed. Tausret heads the latter list, of course, and it includes such men as her dog Ament, General of the South Setnakhte who has always hated the House of Amenmesse, and Ramesses, son of Setnakhte. Perhaps surprisingly, for he supported my initial efforts to get Siptah accepted, Tjaty Hori has become my enemy. When I tried to involve him in my schemes, he rejected me most insultingly. Luckily, I had revealed little of my plans, so he is unable to hurt me, but soon I will be in a position to hurt him, should it please me to do so. I will not forget those who reject me, and one day they will regret their decisions most bitterly.
Chapter 15
Year 2 of Akhenre Siptah
Akhenre Siptah was Lord of the Two Lands, undoubted king of Kemet, and as such had many duties despite his young age. He took his place in the law courts, and presided over any disputes that Tjaty Hori felt could be left to his inexperience. Hori guided the king in all legal matters, offered instruction and showed the boy how justice should be dispensed, stepping in whenever the boy-king made a mistake. Inevitably, Siptah hated being made to feel inadequate and longed for the day when his word became the law of the land.
The king was also High Priest of all the gods and while most services could be left to the ordinary priests to perform, he was expected to approach the gods on behalf of the people. He was god-on-earth and the gods would listen to him as they would to no one else. The problem was, the prayers to the gods were complex and long, and Siptah often found his attention wandering, especially in the daily dawn greetings to Re in the form of Khepri of the rising sun. He had received many scandalised looks from the priests when he yawned in the
middle of a service.
His daily duties would have been intolerable if the grind of essential services had not been leavened by pleasure. Hunting was a staple, whether merely wildfowl in the reed beds or crocodiles on the river, or brief forays into the scrubland after gazelles. He still sought a lion, but those beasts had so far eluded his huntsmen--or so Bay informed him. However, there were other pleasures available within the palace.
The sons of court officials were encouraged by their fathers to strike up friendships with the young king in the hopes of preferment. After an initial flurry of interest, when boy after boy was introduced to the young monarch, his erstwhile companions had been winnowed away to a few whose interests matched those of Siptah, though they were a few years older than the king. They were Huni, the son of Henenu, the Overseer of Palace Wines; Sepi, the son of Meketre, Royal Butler; and Hay, the son of Maya, Deputy Treasurer of Ta Mehu. These three boys became the king's almost constant companions during his leisure time, and they could often be found improving their skills with bow and arrow, playing games of Senet or throwing stones, or teasing the monkeys in the palace menagerie.
On a day a few months after he killed the wild bull, Siptah heard a rumour that a lion had been killing livestock on the edge of the desert near Per-Ramesses in the north. He became excited and immediately broke of the game of Senet he had been losing to Hay.
