The Forgotten Pharaoh

by David Adkins

  Nebetah came every day and sometimes twice a day and we played many games of senet. I won most of the time for it was not just a game of chance but one of skill and strategy and I was good at it. We gossiped as we played and the time passed quickly with much enjoyment and fun all the time that Nebetah was with me. Ramose also visited me daily but it was a visit of duty and we had little to say to each other and so he did not stay long. The day before the wedding he came early in the morning and stayed with me for over an hour giving me instructions on my behaviour during the ceremony. He told me he would collect me late the next morning and escort me to the Temple. In fact I had a number of visitors the day before the wedding.

  Next came Nebetah and we had another game of senet and wiled away the rest of the morning. She gave me a sisterly hug and told me not to worry, and she teased me about my wedding night but it was all good fun. My next visitor was Thutmose who apologised profusely for not coming earlier in the week, making the excuse that father was keeping him very busy. I knew that it was true for my brother was a very busy man. He offered me some brotherly advice on the ceremony and told me not to worry. He also told me that he would take me army training again as soon as he had the time. He then wished me well and left.

  My final visitor was my mother, Tiye. She also gently embraced me and smiled a sad sort of smile. “I hope you are ready for this,” she said.

  “I know what I have to do,” I assured her.

  “Many get married as young as you,” she said, “but you seem extra young.”

  “Do not let my size fool you mother,” I said. “I will conduct myself properly during the ceremony and not embarrass my family.”

  “You are not that small and you will grow. Your brothers are such tall and powerful men and your father tends to make comparisons between you and them. I know your introversion makes you seem dull at times, but I also know you have intelligence and so I am not worried. I have confidence in you.”

  It was probably the kindest words my mother had said to me in years. I involuntarily hugged her and she returned my hug. “I will not let you down,” I said.

  “I know,” she smiled. “I must go now.”

  “Does Taduheppa wish to marry me?” I blurted out. It was a question I had kept suppressed all week.

  She shook her head sadly. “It does not matter what you or Taduheppa want, for you must both do your duty.” She left without answering my question.

  Sitamun, Iset, Akhenamun and my father, the great pharaoh did not visit me.

  ****

  I did not sleep well that night as there was so much going on in my mind. The next morning the servants dressed me in my finest clothes and soon after Ramose appeared at my door. I was feeling nervous but I was ready. “The guests are assembled in the temple and they are waiting for you,” he informed me. We walked along the ornate corridors and exited the palace through the grand doors. We walked through the gardens under the midday sun and down the shaded path that led to the Temple of Isis and all the time I was in a daze. The time had come and I did not really feel ready for it but I was determined not to let my family or my nation down. Egypt must embrace the Mitanni and secure the future of both nations against the threat of the ever increasing power of the Hittite Empire.

  Taduheppa was waiting for me with her chief ambassador, who was actually her uncle, at the Temple doors. It was fitting that we entered together for we were of equal rank: I was the son of the pharaoh, Amenhotep, ruler of Upper and Lower Egypt; and she was the daughter of Shatuarra, King of the Mitanni and ruler of Arzawa.

  I looked nervously at my bride. She wore a long blue dress made of linen which stretched right down to her sandalled feet. The dress was simple but her neck was covered with necklaces of gold and precious jewels. The bangles on her wrists were both gold and silver and jewels were studded into her sandals. I wore simply a shorter red tunic. She put her arm around my waist and in return I put my arm around her. I could only see her black eyes for she was wearing a veil. She realised that I was searching for her face and briefly pulled back her veil for a second. I was captivated by that one enticing glance at her beauty. She gave me a slight tug and together, followed by her ambassador, we walked into the Temple.

  My family and the Mitanni contingent were standing, awaiting us and they broke into spontaneous applause. I was sure the reception was for Taduheppa and not for me. We approached my brother, Akhenamun, who was standing by the statue of Isis in his signatory black tunic. He would say a few brief words and it would all be over and we would return to the palace for the feast. I managed to approach him in a dignified manner without falling over, which had been a recurring nightmare these past few nights.

  He began: “We are here to acknowledge that the marriage of my brother Smenkhkare, son of Amenhotep King of Egypt to Taduheppa daughter of Shatuarra, King of the Mitanni is binding. Taduheppa has moved in with Smenkhkare and they are man and wife.” Taduheppa handed me the lotus flower that she had been carrying in her right hand to indicate that I was her husband. I accepted it to show that I accepted her as my wife. Akhenamun then spoke again: “I ask for the blessing of mighty Aten for this happy union.” He put his hands in the air beseeching the blessing as the sun’s rays poured in through the open doors. There was a slight murmur of disapproval for this was the Temple of Isis. I was pleased that so far it was my brother and not me who had provided the only controversial moment of the day. “The blessing has been given,” he announced. “Now we must make merry.”

  All the guests filed quickly out of the Temple and we made our way back to the Palace for the celebrations. I walked hand in hand with Taduheppa though I could not help feeling that we probably looked ridiculous as she was much taller than me. I felt tongue-tied but I managed to blurt out a question: “Are you happy here in Malkata?”

  “Yes, very happy,” she replied. “Your family have been most kind and Malkata is much grander than my palace in Washukanni.”

  “My family have been kind,” I repeated.

  “Yes, they have.” She looked at me quizzically.

  “Do you mind me being your husband?” I inquired.

  “No, but then you are hardly my husband,” she replied.

  I wondered what she meant but I could not see the expression on her face for it was still covered with the veil. Silence then ensued as we entered the palace and made our way to the large central hall where the banquet was waiting for us. “Your things have been moved into my apartment,” I reminded her as we sat down at the long, exotically furnished table.

  “Not all of them,” she replied. “Many are still in my own apartment.”

  “Does that mean we are only half married?” I asked her.

  She removed her veil and looked at me. “What do you think, Smenkhkare?”

  She was dazzling. I took a deep breath as I drunk in her matchless beauty. I knew what she meant. She was a woman, a Goddess, perfection. I was a boy, unattractive and immature. I could hardly be her husband. As she chatted to Sitamun, who sat the other side of her, I felt a great sadness engulf me. I saw Akhenamun smirking at me for he must have heard her words. I wanted to leave for I felt inadequate even though the day had gone well up to now.

  I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Nebetah. “It has been an excellent day. Congratulations, brother.” Her smile was warm.

  “Thank you, Nebetah.” At least I still had my sister, but I wanted my wife. My sister returned to her seat further down the table and I was left next to a wife who did not even want to talk to me and found the dull conversation of Sitamun preferable to mine.

  The servants began to bring in vast quantities of food. The music began to play. Everyone looked happy except for me. I wanted to run from the scene but I remembered the words of my mother and did not move. The musicians were playing their flutes and lyres and the guests were eating the exotic meals placed before them. I did not feel hungry and just nibbled at my food. I decided to once again speak to Taduheppa who had so far paid very little attent
ion to me.

  “Why are you ignoring me?” I asked.

  “I am not, but I must talk with our guests. I need to get to know the people who live in the palace, your family. My ambassadors and officials will return to Washukanni tomorrow and I will be left with just a few Mitanni serving girls. I am alone and a long way from home.”

  Her explanation made me feel bad. “I will help you fit in as best as I can.”

  “Thank you, husband,” she smiled. “But you cannot do that by yourself.” She stood up and walked gracefully around the table and I watched her elegant strides in awe. This incredible creature was my new wife. She started a conversation with Akhenamun and Thutmose and I watched as she chatted and laughed, and for some unaccountable reason I felt overwhelmed with jealousy. It was plain to me that she would not find it at all difficult to fit in.

  Then the dancing started and Taduheppa was dancing with Akhenamun. They made a stylish couple, my wife and my brother. Nebetah took my hand and pulled me to my feet. “They are just dancing and they are a similar age. It is understandable, for you must seem young to her.”

  My sister understood my feelings perfectly. “That may be so but she is my wife,” I countered.

  “True, but do not make a fuss,” she warned.

  “I do not intend to.” My dancing was clumsy and lacked finesse unlike my accomplished brother, and so I returned swiftly to my seat and waited for my wife to return. I had to wait a long time, for after Akhenamun she danced with Thutmose and my father.

  At last she returned to her seat next to me. “Will you dance with me now, Taduheppa? “ I asked.

  “I am now too tired.”

  I felt anger well up inside me. “Will you come to my room tonight?”

  “Of course, I am your wife. I will pay you a visit.”

  I did not know whether to be pleased or angry with her reply and so in order to calm down I moved around the table myself and talked with some of the guests and family. It was not a situation I was comfortable with, but I think I did what was expected of me. As the evening drew to a close I knew that the onus was on my wife and me to leave the festivities and go to our apartment. I stood and nervously looked around me. “It is time for me to retire.”

  I looked down at Taduheppa and she did not move. A few seconds passed and then she stood up. “You will wait for me, husband?” she beamed. I swear every man and boy in the room must have been envious of me, at that moment, and by the gods they did have cause. I nodded and a few moments later she joined me. We left the banqueting room and made our way along the corridor towards the royal apartments.

  As we approached my apartment she stopped. “I must go to my rooms first and prepare,” she said. I was reluctant to release her but she deftly freed her arm.

  “Please do not be too long, Taduheppa.” I was certain there was pleading in my eyes.

  “I will not,” she said. I watched as she glided gracefully down the corridor back to her own rooms. I was fraught with nerves but also eager with anticipation.

  I waited for many hours and just when I had become certain that she would not come there was a knock on my door. My heart raced as I rushed to the door and opened it, and it raced even harder when my wife stood before me. I ushered her in. She was dressed in a long yellow robe and yellow matching slippers, but there was no sign of gold or jewellery. She strolled nonchalantly into my chamber showing none of the anxiety that was threatening to overwhelm me. “The bed is in the adjoining room,” I blurted out.

  “Why would I want the bed?” she asked. “I do not feel tired.”

  “You are my wife,” I exclaimed. “I thought you had come to …” My words faded away into nothingness.

  “You thought I had come to consummate the marriage,” she laughed. “You are just 11 years old.”

  “I am 14 and will be 15 soon,” I corrected her.

  “You only look 11.”

  Her words hurt me to the core. “Then why did you come?”

  “It has to look as if we are man and wife and therefore I and some of my belongings must enter your room. I made very sure that I was seen entering your room for effect. I will stay here for a while and then return to my own quarters.”

  “Please, Taduheppa, I am sorry I am not older but I will try to be a man.”

  “Smenkhkare, where I come from males do not marry until they are 17 and maybe not even until they are my age. Women do marry earlier but you are not a woman. We are married for the purpose of bringing peace between our nations and no other.”

  “That is not so.” I was feeling downcast.

  She laughed. “Wait a few years and I will consider it. Is that a senet board I see over there? Egyptian travellers taught my brother the game and he taught me. Shall we play to while away an hour or two?

  “Yes,” I reluctantly agreed.

  She was surprisingly good, but senet was my forte and eventually I overcame her stout resistance. “You were lucky,” she smiled.

  “I am skilful,” I corrected her, pleased to be able show her that I am at least intelligent.

  “Then you should have let me win,” she admonished me.

  “I am sorry, Taduheppa.”

  “Did you really expect us to make love, Smenkhkare?”

  “I hoped,” I said feeling embarrassed.

  “So even at your tender age you want me.”

  “I suppose I do,” I agreed.

  She shook her head. “Perhaps when you are a little older,” she said as she leaned over and kissed my forehead. “Goodnight little husband, I will see you tomorrow.”

  I was speechless as she left my apartment. Not only was I a little brother but now I was a little husband.

  ****

  I did not see my wife the next day and I assumed she was avoiding me, and the next night she did not visit me. I thought about visiting her apartment but decided against it for now. I needed a strategy for dealing with her. Nebetah was occupied with her two sisters which was unfortunate because I needed to talk with someone. The morning after that Thutmose came to see me and I was very pleased to see him.

  “You do not look very happy, Smenkhkare,” he observed.

  “I am not very happy,” I confirmed.

  “You can tell me the cause, though I think I can guess, but for now there are more important things to deal with. A caravan has been attacked by a large gang of bandits not very far from Thebes. I intend to leave immediately with a large force to hunt them down. Do you want to come?”

  I was amazed that I should be asked. “Yes, I will come, Thutmose.” I felt it would be something to take my mind off my wife.

  “It will be a good experience for you, but I will make sure that you are never placed in danger.”

  “Do not worry on my account.” I tried to sound brave.

  “You are too young to fight and you have little training. You will be in a chariot in the rear but you will be able to watch proceedings. These raiders must be eliminated. Now we have no time to waste. Can you leave straight away?”

  “I am ready, Thutmose,” I said, strapping on my bow and quiver.

  “You will not need that,” he smiled. “Let us go.”

  ****

  We left the palace and climbed into his waiting chariot. Another chariot containing two soldiers fell in behind us. We moved quickly south keeping close to the great river until the large force of nearly 200 chariots came into view under the command of Coreb. It was all about speed, for the ambush on the caravan had happened the day before and we had to catch the fleeing bandits before they disappeared into the desert. Our large force continued at great speed south towards Kom Ombo. The ambush on the caravan had taken place close to Thebes but the bandits were reported to be heading south along the west bank in the direction of Kom Ombo. I had hardly had time to catch my breath and we had already left Thebes well behind us.

  “Relax, brother,” advised Thutmose. “It will be some time before we catch up with them.”

  “Do you think we will find them
then?” I asked nervously. I had never witnessed a real battle before.

  “We will catch them and we will rid Egypt of their pestilence. They robbed and murdered almost everyone on the Nubian caravan. Just two escaped to bring us news of the deed. They must be caught and punished or preferably wiped out.”

  “We cannot have peaceful traders living in fear of being attacked by outlaws,” I agreed.

  “Just think, Smenkhkare, they could have attacked the Mitanni caravan carrying Taduheppa.”

  I nodded. “That would have been terrible.”

  “While we speak of Taduheppa, brother, I was wondering if she could be the reason you were looking sad this morning.”

  I had wished to speak to someone of my dilemma and this was my opportunity. “She is the reason,” I confirmed.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” he asked.

  “She only came to my apartment for a couple of hours on our wedding night and we played senet and she has not returned since. She is supposed to be my wife.” I may have sounded a little bitter.

  “And you wish her to be a wife in every meaning of the word,” he mused.

  “She is …” I was lost for words.

  “She is very beautiful, I have noticed, Smenkhkare. Have you told her what you desire?”

  “I have and she said that I was too young.”

  “You are young and it is not uncommon for children to marry and for consummation to follow years later.”

  “I am not a child. Would you take a child into battle?”

  “A fair point, Smenkhkare,” he said thoughtfully. “You are not a child and you want Taduheppa. However, you must consider that she is most definitely a woman and a very beautiful one. She is probably experienced and has had other men and is not prepared to consider a boy – and you are still a boy. Can you try to see it from her point of view? Perhaps it would be best to give her time.”

  “Giving it time will not work if she refuses to see me or avoids me, Thutmose.”