The Pharaoh's Palace. Grovel Before the Divine Ruler of Egypt!

National Information:

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Name: The Newer Empire of Egypt.

Government: an absolute monarchy. The king, also known as pharaoh, or the queen has divine right to rule.

Language: native Egyptian, Arabic, and some Hebrew and Greek.

Currency: gold coins stamped with either the face of the current pharaoh or the symbol of a god or goddess.

Capital: the ancient city of Memphis in the land of Egypt.

National Anthem: Lotus on the Nile .


The Royal Family (continually UPDATED throughout the game):

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Pharaoh Nedjemibre VI. Lived: 1440 – 1479 (39). Reign: 1466 – 1479 (13). He married his sister, Queen Meritaten, in 1457 and fathered three children: Ankhor, Amunet, and Mentuhotep. He died in battle against Arab warriors from Gaza.

Queen Meritaten IX. Lived: 1442 – 1508 (66). Reign: 1466 – 1480 (14). She married her brother, Nedjemibre, in 1457 and gave birth to three children: Ankhor, Amunet, and Mentuhotep. She retired to her villa after Nedjemibre was killed and stayed out of government.

Prince Radjedef. Lived: 1448 – 1506 (58). He is Nedjemibre’s and Meritaten’s brother. He married an Arabian princess named Nadia in 1466 so that more Arab warriors would be willing to fight as mercenaries for Egypt. He fathered a daughter: Tetisheri. He fought as a general for many years and then became governor of Alexandria in 1482 where he remained so until his death.

Princess Nadia. Lived: 1450 – 1497 (47). She was an Arab princess from the Emirate of Benghazi who married into the Egyptian royal family for political reasons. She gave birth to a daughter: Tetisheri. Nadia died of a disease in Alexandria.

Pharaoh Ankhor III. Lived: 1457 - 1510 (54). Reign: 1480 - 1510 He is the eldest son of Nedjemibre and Meritaten and became Pharaoh after his father died. He is a great pharaoh who conquered Cairo and Alexandria and has restored the glory of Lower Egypt. He is a tall muscular man with bronze skin, sharp green eyes, and short black hair. He married his sister, Amunet, in 1475 and fathered three children: Sekhmet, Khutawy, and Kamose.

Queen Amunet VIII. Lived: 1459 - 1517 (59). Reign: 1480 - 1517 She is the daughter of Nedjemibre and Meritaten and became Queen of Egypt after her mother retired. She is tall, curvy, has white skin, sharp green eyes, and long wavy black hair. She helps run the administration of the rapidly expanding Newer Kingdom and made various treaties with foreign peoples. Amunet married her brother, Ankhor, in 1475 and gave birth to three children: Sekhmet, Khutawy, and Kamose.

Prince Mentuhotep. Lived: 1463 - 1518 (56). He is a son of Nedjemibre and Meritaten. He married his cousin, Tetisheri, in 1481 and fathered two children: Nefertari and Horemheb. He is fairly muscular and tan, has green eyes, and short black hair.

Princess Tetisheri. Lived: 1467 - 1525 (58). She is the daughter of Radjedef and Nadia. She married her cousin, Mentuhotep, in 1481 and gave birth to two children: Nefertari and Horemheb. She is very skinny and has long black hair. She leads a quiet life in the Pharaoh’s Palace.

Princess Sekhmet. Born: 1478 (age: 51). She is the daughter of Ankhor and Amunet. She has golden-brown hair and is athletic-looking. She has expressed her desire to be with girls and so will not marry.

Prince Khutawy. Lived: 1480. He died of cystic fibrosis before he was one year.

Pharaoh Kamose XIV. Lived: 1483 - 1527 (44). Reign: 1510 - 1527 He is the son of Ankhor and Amunet. He married his cousin, Nefertari, in 1499. He committed suicide after two disasterous defeats in a row.

Queen Nefertari XIX. Born: 1484 (age: 44). Reign: 1510 - 1533 She is the daughter of Mentuhotep and Tetisheri. She married her cousin, Kamose, in 1499. She transfered power to Iset in 1533.

Prince Horemheb. Born: 1484 (age: 44). He is the son of Mentuhotep and Tetisheri. He tall, dark, and mysterious. He is a loner.

Pharaoh Ramses XXXIII. Born: 1504 (age: 24). Reign: 1527 - ? He is the son of Kamose and Nefertari. He married his sister, Iset, in 1520.

Queen Iset XXIV. Born: 1505 (age: 23). Reign: 1527 - ? She is the daughter of Kamose and Nefertari. She married her brother, Ramses, in 1520.

Crown Prince Thutmose. Born: 1520 (age: 8). He is the son of Ramses and Iset.

Princess Neferure. Born: 1520 (age: 8). She is the daughter of Ramses and Iset.

Princess Ahhotep. Born: 1523 (age: 5). She is the daughter of Ramses and Iset.

Religion: Ancient Egyptian Religion .

Color: gold (240,240,0)

Flag: a black Eye-of-Horus above a black Ankh with a blue-green Feather of Ma’at on either side of them, all of which is upon a golden-colored background.

History:

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The history of Egypt is extremely long. Take alook at these archives to learn about it up to when the Romans defeated the Ptolemaic dynasty and took control of our land. In 14CE, after the first Roman imperator died, the native Egyptians, lead by secret priests of Horus, rebelled and eventually seized the city of Alexandria and the fortress of Pelusium. The Roman prefect governing Egypt was assassinated and the three legions garrisoning the province were in disarray and soon outnumbered. Egyptian ambassadors requested an audience with Imperator Tiberius and managed to conclude a favorable peace treaty. The Roman legions withdrew and Rome promised never to attack Egypt. Egypt became a client kingdom of Rome and paid tribute in the form of grain to the city of Roma.

So began the “First Revolutionary Period” and the establishment of the thirty-sixth dynasty under Pharaoh Amyrtaeus II. Egypt slowly recovered during this period and started removing the influences of Greco-Roman culture and was “going back to the good old ways.” They had no navy and a puny army and so their position was a precarious one. They established many trade routes to India and Ethiopia however and so they grew wealthy. The period ended with the fall of the Roman Empire. The eastern part of the empire continued on and still demanded tribute of grain and gold, this time to Constantinople.

In 639CE Islamic Arab armies lead by General Rushidan invaded Egypt. Egypt asked for aid from the Byzantine Empire, which they got, and they also tried to reform their army to combat the Arabs. Their army was defeated though, Pelusium fell, and the Byzantines were driven out. Egypt was overrun and surrendered in 641CE and Arabs soon came to settle and tried to spread their religion to the natives. Arab armies went on to conquer the rest of North Africa. Egypt would rebel time to time as the polytheistic, pagan-worshipping natives abhorred Islam, but they would be defeated.

In the 800sCE, when the Arab Caliphate was splitting up, the native Egyptians who were still not converted to Islam rose up in rebellion and took the ruins of Memphis and Giza. This began the “Second Revolutionary Period.” Cairo, a Muslim city built right across the river from Memphis, was ever at war with the natives to the west during these time. They agreed to peace when Christian crusaders appeared from the west in the Levant in 1099CE. The native Egyptians were left alone by the Arab Egyptians and so they waited... Waited for the right time to strike at Cairo, burn it to the ground, and drive the Arabs out of the Land of the Sacred Nile. They have rebuilt Memphis and Giza the best they can for now and have gathered a great army by bribing many Arab warriors to join them. Now that Egypt has devolved into countless little emirates and city states the time may be right...

Pharaoh Ankhor III has recently become the new pharaoh at Memphis. His rule is more legitimate and accepted by native Egyptians because his throne is at Memphis; however there are some natives who have set up pretenders that pose a significant challenge to his rule. Especially the one at Thebes to the south, who said he will fight the “illegitimate one” in the north to the death. The true pharaoh will not only have to fight Arabs, but natives as well if he is to unite the land of Egypt under the Crown of Horus once more.

Diplomacy:

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Trade agreements with: The Republic of Syracuse ,The Queendom of Gandhara , The Kingdom of Hungary , The Barbarians of the East , and The League of Avodor .

Surplus resources that Egypt can trade (in order of how plentiful and easily the Egyptians can trade them): cotton, rice, wheat, camels, papyrus, salt, textiles, pre-ordered custom made granite statues (any size you want!), war horses, war bows, war chariots.

Alliances with: The League of Avodor , The Queendom of Gandhara , and The Republic of Syracuse .

At war with: none (except for surrounding rebels).

National policies: enslaves criminals and prisoners of war, bans use of drugs if they are not used for medicinal purposes, seeks establishment of many trade lanes with foreign nations, not very tolerant of monotheistic religions, funds numerous construction and building projects, and seeks to unite all of Egypt under the rule of the true Pharaoh.

Military:

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An Egyptian war chariot:

Manpower: Currently, the Kingdom of Egypt relies on some Arab mercenaries to fight their battles as well as numerous native units. Soon our armies will be composed of just our people once the Sacred Land of the Nile is united under the rule of our wise Pharaoh. In times of war, the mighty Pharaoh will call upon his children to provide levies. There are also a few professionally trained warriors however, who serve in the military all the time. Currently there are 9,000 Arab mercenaries and 8,000 native Egyptian men and women fighting under the golden banner. 14,000 Egyptian men and women can be called upon as levies.

Organization: There are three main branches of the Egyptian military which are the Infantry, Cavalry, and Missiles. There are companies of men in each branch, 40 men in a company of infantry, 25 men in a company of cavalry, and 50 men in a company of missiles. One company from each branch forms a regiment (of 115 men). Four regiments create a unit (of 460 men). Eight units create a division (of 3680 men) which is named after one of the gods or goddesses. Four divisions create an army (of 14,720 men. With auxiliaries it is 15,000 though).

A company of infantry can either be: spearmen, axmen, mace-men, or khopesh swordsmen. A company of cavalry can either be: light chariots, heavy chariots, camel lancers, camel archers, horse archers, javelin horsemen, or war elephants. A company of missiles can either be: foot archers, slingers, crossbow men, or javelin men.

Weapons and armour: most weapons and armours are made from iron these days, but some are made from steel. All infantry men are armoured with iron scale armour, are armed with iron or steel weapons and are defended by wooden shields with leather covers. Light chariots are little wooden platforms with large wheels with steel scythes pulled by three horses. They are used for flanking or raiding and carry javelin men or archers. Heavy chariots are large wooden battle wagons defended by mounted shields and have steel scythes on its wheels and are pulled by two horses. They are used as a shock weapon and carry javelinmen and swordsmen. Archers are armed with powerful composite bows. All warriors have short swords and throwing daggers as secondary weapons. Nobody wears any kind of helmet; everyone just wears a piece of cloth called a menes with gold and blue stripes.

Elite forces: 800 Pharaoh Bowmen and 600 Pharaoh Guards are very well-trained, hardened veterans of many wars, who protect the mighty Pharaoh from all kinds of foes. They were iron scale armour with gold edges and an iron helmet calleda khephresh that is painted blue. The bowmen are armed with powerful composite bows and a khopesh sword. The guards are equipped with a large round argive shields and are armed with sarissa pikes and a khopesh sword.

Navy:

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The Newer Egyptian navy is very new and as such it is very small and inexperienced, but full of tenacity and great potential. The Pharaoh smiles upon its future success.

Strength: 3 large war fleets of 8 vessels each, 1 medium war fleet of 5 vessels each, and numerous transportation galleys. 2900 criminal-slave rowers (100 per ship), 5800 sailors (200 per ship), and 5220 marines (180 per ship).

Equipment: warships are armed with a ram, 1 onager catapult, 4 ballistae, and two towers, the forecastle and the aftcastle, for archers. Marines are comprised of axmen, javelin-men and archers. The axmen are armed with small iron single-blade axes and an iron short sword. They are equipped with a small wooden shields with a leather covering and are armoured with iron scale-armour. The javelin-men are armed with short javelins and a short sword. They are also equipped with a small wooden shield with a leather covering, but wear a leather tunic. The archers are armed with powerful composite bows and throwing daggers and are armoured with iron scale-armour.

Location: 1 large war fleet and 1 medium war fleet in the Eastern Mediterranean sea zone, 1 large war fleet in the Red Sea, and 1 large war fleet in the Central Mediterranean sea zone.

When a foreign ambassador comes to the ancient city of Memphis, capital of the Newer Kingdom of Egypt, he/she shall be approached by a tall bronze-skinned and bald-headed man with kohl around his eyes, dressed in fine white linens, and leaning on a wooden staff decorated with jewel and gold inlays. He will raise his hand in greeting and say to him/her: “I have been in the service of Pharaoh for many many years. It is my task to present ambassadors from foreign lands, such as yourself, to my lord and master, if he wishes it. I am also to write down all that is decided and manage the archives of Pharaoh’s advisors who assist him in his rule. Welcome to our ancient land, stranger. Gaze upon our magnificent and colossal monuments that have stood the test of time! Observe the beauty of the serene, and sacred, Nile. Follow me as we enter the pr-aa, or ‘Great House’. As we climb these granite stairs we are passing by two large black statues of jackals, symbols of Anubis, God of the Underworld, and protectors of the Pharaoh. My divine master’s house is made from fine marble and granite and its walls are decorated by carvings and paintings made by thousands of talented artists. I shall go now to see if the Pharaoh or the Queen is willing to see you and hear what you have to say. If they agree, then you shall enter the throne room and grovel before them while saying: ‘All life, prosperity, and health to you, Great King (or Queen)!’”

A bahrainian ambassador enters the Pharao's Palace.
Diego, the ambassador, can see a bronze man.

Hello, Sir. Could you bring me to the Throne Room please?
I am from the island of Bahrain. An ambassador.

OOC: bronze-skinned man, meaning his skin is very tan in colour, not a man made of bronze.

IC: "Welcome, foreigner. Was your journey pleasant? Have you taken a moment to admire our great monuments that have stood in the sands of the desert for over two-millennia? Would you like some fine Egyptian beer?" A palace servant comes forth with cups of the frothing drink upon a golden platter and offers them to the Bahrainian. "The mighty Pharaoh has returned from crushing our old enemy, Cairo, to the east. I will go see if he is willing to see you."

A moment later, the tall, bald, man comes back, tapping his staff upon the floor stones as he walked. "Pharaoh Ankhor the Third of the Thirty-Ninth Dynasty has agreed to hear what you wish to propose, ambassador from the island of Bahrain. Enter and remember to bow deeply and salute my lord and master with: 'All life, prosperity, and health to you, Great King!'"

No, no beer for me,please. I am on duty.

Diego enters the Big room with all the jeweleries at the Walls.
He goes to the Throne slowly and says the words :

All life,prosperity,and health to you,Great King of Egypt.

My Lord, Caliph Yusuf Al-Chalifa, is interested in a good relationship between our 2 great Empires.
The Caliphate of Bahrain is more of a Navy Power, than a landlocked Army. We've got lots of trained sailors, very accurate archers and a good staff.
My lord would be very pleased if you accept the offers of a Trade Agreement and an Alliance between both our Nations.

Pharaoh Ankhor was sitting on a tall, golden throne with his arms crossed over his chest. In one hand he held a crook, symbolizing his protection of his people, and in the other a flail, symbolizing his power of dealing out justice to criminals. Ankhor's deep voice booms throughout the throne room after the Bahrainian had finished. “Egypt is always looking for new trade lanes to increase our wealth. Come, tell me what the island nation of Bahrain can offer Egypt and in return Egypt could provide you with cotton, rice, and wheat. You are from the east, correct? Perhaps you can offer us spices and ivory from India?

As for an alliance… in my divine wisdom I do not believe it to be good for the land of Egypt to ally with Muslim Arabs at this time. Bahrain was not directly responsible for the invasion of Egypt many years ago, but it was you kind of people that were. My children would not like to be allied to people that are similar to the ones we are currently fighting. Perhaps in time we will reconsider, but for now we refuse.”

Lord Dalminian enters the Pharaoh's Palace.

On behalf of High lord Senarius of The League of Avador, I, Lord Dalminian, request an audience with Pharaoh.

A tall man with black kohl around his eyes and leaning on a well decorated wooden staff greets the emissary from Constantinople. “Welcome to our ancient land, Lord Dalminian. I am Wah Cheops, most trusted servant of the Pharaoh. Was your journey pleasant? Were you impressed by the magnificent monuments from our glory days that our people are currently restoring? There are many obelisks and temples throughout Memphis that have been neglected for many years. Would you like some refreshments such as wine or beer?” A servant comes forward bearing cups of strong wine and foaming beer upon a golden platter and hunks of bread upon another platter.

“I will go see if the Pharaoh or his sister, the Queen, is willing to hear what you have to propose. Excuse me.” Wah turns around and walks toward an archway; the tapping of wood on stone fading away as he does. He passes under the arch whose columns are beautifully decorated with many paintings of the gods and goddesses. Sunlight coming through the windows high up on the walls shine upon the flame red solar disk of Ra and the blue-green feathers of Ma’at.

The tall man returns and says, “Pharaoh Ankhor the Third of the Thirty-Ninth Dynasty is willing to hear what the League of Avador has to say to Egypt. Please follow me to the throne room and when you are before the Pharaoh, remember to bow deeply and salute my lord and master with: ‘All life, prosperity, and health to you, Great King!’”

The Great King himself was sitting on a raised golden throne next to his wife, Queen Amunet, who was on another throne. He wore the Deshret, the red crown of Lower Egypt. His arms were crossed over his chest, holding the symbolic crook and flail. Amunet wore the Amun-Ra headdress: a crown with two golden plumes on either side and red ceramic disc in between them. Ankhor waited for the Avadorian as Amunet read a scroll given to her by an advisor about the state of irrigation systems in the land.

Diego is disappointed. He saw it as a good deal,having an alliance with the Pharaoh.
He is also feeling racisticly discriminated. Just because our king is an arab. 80% of of the population of Bahrain is portuguese though...

No, we don't trade with racists.


In rage, Diego leaves the room and the town.

The Pharaoh is insulted that he and his children, the people of Egypt, are called racists by the Bahrainian. Instead of getting angry, like most rulers who had just been insulted would, the Pharaoh was guided by divine wisdom and sought to reason with the ambassador:

"While we have had a bad history with Arabs because they conquered us many years ago, I do not believe that makes us racist. We have hired many Arab mercenaries to fight our battles. If we were truly racist, then we would just kill all Arabs, but we don't. I declined the alliance because I want to know what kind of Arab your king is; not because he is Arab. Egypt wants to establish trade between our lands so that we may grow close. Then, when I feel that your king, or caliph, is a good friend, we may agree to an alliance.

I demand an apology to the people of Egypt and ask that you reconsider leaving," Ankhor said as he saw Diego storm away from the throne room.

Dalminian saw the Portugese storm out of the palace. He hoped his meeting would end better.

As Dalminian entered the Throne Room, he kneeled and said:

"All life, prosperity and health to you, Great King. I, Lord Dalminian, would like to congratulate you on behalf of the League of Avador for your recent victories against the rebel provinces.

My King, High Lord Senarius I, wishes to bolster the relationships between our nations. He assures you that the assistance from Constantinople against the Arab General Rushidan years ago was not the last aid from us. We have many common enemies in the east, and much to do against them. For this purpose, my king wishes to propose a military alliance between our people, so we may defy the heathens of the east. My lord also hopes that trade between Constantinople and Memphis increase, and to that end we request trade agreements between our nations.

May Avodor be with you as you choose your answer."

"Ah," Pharaoh Ankhor's deep voice boomed as he heard what the Lord Dalminian said. "So this League of Avodor is the continuation of the Byzantine Empire. I always wondered what became of the Byzantine Empire... anyway, yes we have many common enemies to the east."

"And our warriors would be happy to fight alongside those who tried to protect us many years ago," Queen Amunet said in a clear voice as she handed the scroll she was reading back to the advisor. "I believe Egypt would benefit greatly from a renewed alliance between old friends. Do you agree, dear brother and husband?"

"Yes," Ankhor stood and walked over to the Avodorian and clapped his hand on the man's shoulder. "On behalf of my people, we happily accept your offer of an alliance." He lowered his voice and winked at Dalminian as he said, "Eventually we'll have to agree on a common border between us in the east that splits those lands fairly between our great nations so as to avoid war, but... all in time. All in time."

"And of course Egypt is always looking for new trade lanes to increase our wealth," Amunet smiled. "We also gladly accept your offer of trade. Once our numerous warriors subjugate the city state of Alexandria to our north, Egypt will have a port from which we can trade you cotton, wheat, and rice. What would the League of Avodor trade us in return?" the Queen inquired.

OOC : You call him your brother and dont want an alliance with me? You know that the byzantine empire conquered you before the arabs did?

It was more assimilation than conquest. And it was the Romans not Byzantines. One could argue that they are both Romans in fact.

OOC: please don't junk up my faction thread with ooc posts. I only want role-play here. If you want to ask me something that is not in-character, please PM me. I'll answer your question here though just to make it clear to everyone: the Byzantines never conquered Egypt. Egypt was a protectorate to them. Byzantines promised never to conquer Egypt as long as tribute was paid. Egypt is wealthy, so tribute was no big deal. Byzantines promised to protect Egypt and sent troops to do just that during the Arab invasions. Both Byzzies and Egyptians were defeated, but Egypt doesn't hold a grudge or anything for the failure (which was deemed to be caused by priests not properly honoring the gods and goddesses). In fact Egypt is pleased that the Byzzies sent aid, so relations with the Byzzies (or their descendents in this case) would be friendly.

I refused an alliance with your faction because it is twenty-percent Arab and ruled by an Arab and because there is bad blood between them and my Egyptians. It doesn't make sense to ally with people you have bad blood with right away. That's why I wrote that Egypt refused the alliance but would like to accept trade. Trade increases friendly relations. With increased friendly relations may come an alliance.

We don't really need to trade with you egyptians.
We can get everything you got, cheaper and better from our friends in india and europe.

"That is disappointing to hear," Ankhor said to Diego. "But... very well. Perhaps in time you might change your mind and want to expand your commerce. If you apologize for your insult to us, we would gladly accept trade from you in the future. Farewell for now." The Pharaoh gestures for guards and to Wah Cheops to escort the Bahrainian out.

Twenty riders clad in red approach the gates of Memphis. The purple-red banner of Rome is held high, with the mark of the Golden Aquila and the words 'S. P. Q. R.' being clearly embedded in the flag.

The officer leading the men dismounts from his horse and straightens his cape. He then humbly bows down to the gate-guards and says in a friendly voice - "Greetings, noble Egyptians. We have arrived after a long journey from the Eternal City of Seven Hills, Rome. We are here to conduct diplomacy with Egypt on behalf of IMPERIVM ROMANVM, if the Great Pharaoh wishes to allow us."

They then patiently wait for an answer.

The Pharaoh's most trusted servant, Wah Cheops, comes before the Romans. "So the original Romans have survived, eh? We heard your empire was overrun by barbarians from Germania hundreds of years ago." The tall man laughs quietly as he leans on his staff. "Well we Egyptians have grown in strength recently and so I think we can beat back your legions anytime and never be conquered by you people again. All is good!"

He guides them into the city towards the Pharaoh's Palace. He was telling the Romans nonstop all about the ancient ancient Egyptian monuments that were the largest in the world, and the longest lasting, and how beautifully decorated they were, and how Egyptian artists were superior to all others, no doubt annoying the foreigners. Guards took away the strangers weapons. When they entered, servants with golden platters with cups of wine and beer and hunks of bread on them came forward and offered the refreshments to the guests. "My lord and master has returned from securing the Atef-Pehu, know to you as 'Faiyum'. Our crop production has doubled with our conquest of that oasis and its canal that controls the Nile's flooding. I'll see if he is willing to hear what you have to propose. His sister, and wife, is currently with child and will be unable to interact with you people. Excuse me." He walks toward the large archway with its beautifully painted columns, his wooden staff tapping gently on the floor stones as he does.

A while later Wah returns with a surprised look on his face. "My Pharaoh says he is willing to see you and that he... has a gift for you people." He squints his kohl-lined eyes and points a finger at the Romans. "Now even though my master said he has a gift for you doesn't mean you our good friends with him and so you will pay him the proper respects in that you will bow before him and say, 'All life, prosperity, and health to you, Great King!' Follow me." He escorts them into the throne room.

Pharaoh Ankhor III was sitting upon a golden throne on a raised dias. He wore fine white linens and the red Deshret crown of Lower Egypt. He held the symbolic crook and flail in his crossed arms. He had a look of divine power about him.

The Roman officer and his two aides gallantly march in the throne room, being escorted by Wah Cheops. At first they look around the throne room and smile at the splendour of the room. Then they take three steps towards the Pharaoh, and bow low before him. The officer gets somewhat angry, and with gritted teeth he says - "All life, prosperity and health to you, Great King!" and his aides say in unison.

Although he had bowed, he feels humiliated and burning with his Roman pride. The mockery shown by one little servant was too much, seeing how Egyptians themselves were so easily subjugated by Roman army in 30 BC that it was not even worth the death of a single Legionary. He somehow calmed himself quickly, and didn't let the anger come on his face.

The officer then says in a polite voice, head still bowed - "Noble leader, we come as ambassadors from IMPERIVM ROMANVM. His Imperial Majesty has interest in the goods you can trade, and he has sent me, Praefect Marcellus Caius, to establish mutually benefit trade. He also wishes to establish a Roman embassy in Memphis for future diplomatic agreements. What is your answer, sire?"

He stands firm patiently, waiting for an answer. But he keeps his head bowed.

The Pharaoh smiles, "You hated bowing before me and paying respects, didn't you? What I have read of the old Romans is true then: you are prideful people who love to uphold honor and dignity and despise royalty. You don't have to keep your head bowed by the way. Well, just remember, we People of the Nile have great pride too and remember well our great rebellion that kicked your old legions out.

Now, about what you proposed... Egypt is always looking for new trade partners to expand her wealth and commerce. On behalf of my children I happily accept your offer of trade. Shipments of wheat, cotton, and rice shall arrive in Ostia, Roma's port city, soon. We'll even send you some camels for your arena games. You people still conduct arena games, yes? In return Egypt would like shipments of fine marble and timber to arrive at Alexandria."

He turned to one of his assistants and said to him, "A grand and majestic embassy for a Romani ambassador shall be built here in Memphis. Thousands of criminal slaves will immediately begin quarrying stone and constructing scaffolds. Hundreds of artists will be employed to carve reliefs on the walls and paint the columns. Build a structure worthy of Egypt! And of Rome too, I guess, since a Roman will be living there."

"Yes my lord," the man said and then left the throne room.

Pharaoh Ankhor turned back to Marcellus and his companions. "As my most trusted servant, Wah Cheops, has said to you..." Wah, who was standing on the right side of the throne, straightened up taller and looked pleased when he heard this. "I have a gift for you people if you want to accept it. When I conquered Faiyum, my warriors found tombs containing mummies, but they are not our mummies. During your short period of occupation here, some Romans moved to Faiyum Oasis and 'adopted' our culture," the Pharaoh snickered. "And had their bodies mummified. They didn't do it right, of course," the Pharaoh rolled his eyes. "They had wooden panels put over their faces with painted portraits of themselves! No coffins. No proper amulets. No carved lids. Blasphemous!" the Pharaoh shakes his head. "We don't want them and since they are your ancestors you should have them. Some workers are transporting them to Memphis as we speak. What do you say?" the Pharaoh inquired.