# Endnotes explained — Cleopatra

> Chapter companion for Cleopatra by H. Rider Haggard.

## What happens

The editor provides explanatory notes on various references in the text, including Egyptian religious concepts, historical figures, and cultural practices.

## Themes in this chapter

### Religion and Mysticism

Notes explain Egyptian religious concepts of the soul, the Godhead, and the significance of the sistrum.

## Character check-ins

### Amenemhat

Portrait of Amenemhat himself is referenced.

### Atoua

Atoua's saying about papyrus is explained.

### Harmachis

The name Harmachis is glossed as the Grecian title of the divinity of the Sphinx.

## Key lines

> The Egyptian Hades or Purgatory.

The Egyptian underworld or place of purification.

_Editor's note explaining a term._

> The Egyptian Parcae or Fates.

The Egyptian goddesses of destiny.

_Editor's note explaining a term._

> The soul when it has been absorbed in the Godhead.

The soul after merging with the divine.

_Editor's note explaining a term._

> The dog-star, whose appearance marked the commencement of the overflow of the Nile.

The star Sothis, which signaled the start of the Nile flood.

_Editor's note explaining the dog-star._

> According to the Egyptian religion the being Man is composed of four parts: the body, the double or astral shape ( ka ), the soul ( bi ), and the spark of life sprung from the Godhead ( khou ).

In Egyptian belief, a person consists of body, astral double (ka), soul (bi), and divine spark (khou).

_Editor's note on Egyptian anthropology._

> A musical instrument peculiarly sacred to Isis of which the shape and rods had a mystic significance.

The sistrum, a sacred rattle of Isis with symbolic shape and rods.

_Editor's note on the sistrum._

> In Ancient Egypt an unskilful or negligent physician was liable to very heavy penalties.

Ancient Egyptian doctors faced severe punishments for incompetence or negligence.

_Editor's note on medical practice._

> Alluding to his name. Harmachis was the Grecian title of the divinity of the Sphinx, as Horemkhu was the Egyptian.

Harmachis is the Greek name for the Sphinx god; the Egyptian name is Horemkhu.

_Editor's note on Harmachis's name._

> Papyrus was manufactured from the pith of rushes. Hence Atoua’s saying.

Papyrus came from rush pith, explaining Atoua's remark.

_Editor's note on papyrus._

> In other words, what is Divine is beyond the reach of human praise.

The divine cannot be adequately praised by humans.

_Editor's note on divine transcendence._

> The “Upper,” now known as the Third Pyramid.

The 'Upper' pyramid is the Third Pyramid.

_Editor's note identifying a pyramid._

> That is, “Horus on the horizon”; and signifies the power of Light and Good overcoming the power of Darkness and Evil incarnate in his enemy, Typhon.

Horemkhu means 'Horus on the horizon,' symbolizing light and good triumphing over darkness and evil (Typhon).

_Editor's note on Horemkhu._

> About forty thousand pounds of our money.

Equivalent to roughly £40,000 in modern currency.

_Editor's note on monetary value._

> Referring to the Roman custom of chaining a living felon to the body of one already dead.

A Roman practice of chaining a living criminal to a corpse.

_Editor's note on Roman custom._

> About eight thousand pounds of English money.

Equivalent to roughly £8,000 in English currency.

_Editor's note on monetary value._

> Thebes.

The city of Thebes.

_Editor's note identifying a location._

## Links

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