# Of the Birth of Harmachis; The Prophecy of the Hathors; and the Slaying of the Innocent Child explained — Cleopatra

> Chapter companion for Cleopatra by H. Rider Haggard.

## What happens

Harmachis, the narrator, introduces himself as the rightful Pharaoh of Egypt who betrayed his country and gods. He recounts his birth in Abouthis, the prophecy spoken by his dying mother through the Hathors, and the subsequent attempt on his life by Ptolemy Aulêtes. The soldiers mistakenly behead his foster-brother instead, and Harmachis is raised as the son of the High Priest Amenemhat.

## Themes in this chapter

### Fate and Destiny

The prophecy of the Hathors foretells Harmachis's destiny to become Pharaoh, but also warns of ruin if he fails.

### Power and Corruption

Ptolemy Aulêtes, fearing the prophecy, orders the murder of an innocent child to secure his throne.

### Religion and Mysticism

The prophecy is delivered through the Hathors, and the narrative is steeped in Egyptian religious imagery and divine intervention.

## Character check-ins

### Harmachis

Narrator and protagonist, born on the same day as Cleopatra, prophesied to be Pharaoh.

### Amenemhat

High Priest of the Temple of Sethi and father of Harmachis, who hides the prophecy and later adopts Harmachis.

### Atoua

Old nurse of Harmachis's mother, who spreads the prophecy despite swearing secrecy.

### Ptolemy Aulêtes

Pharaoh of Egypt who orders the murder of the prophesied child.

### Nekt-nebf

Ancestor of Harmachis, mentioned in the prophecy as the divine seed.

## Key lines

> I, Harmachis, who cast aside the opening flower of our hope, who turned from the glorious path, who forgot the voice of God in hearkening to the voice of woman.

Harmachis admits he abandoned his sacred mission because he listened to a woman instead of God.

_Foreshadows his betrayal of Egypt for Cleopatra._

> Hail to thee, fruit of my womb! Hail to thee, Royal child! Hail to thee, Pharaoh that shalt be!

Harmachis's mother, filled with the spirit of prophecy, hails him as the future Pharaoh.

_The prophecy establishes Harmachis's royal destiny and the stakes of his actions._

> Keep thee pure, and thou shalt rule and deliver Egypt and not be broken. But if thou dost fail in thy hour of trial, then may the curse of all the Gods of Egypt rest upon thee.

The prophecy warns Harmachis that purity leads to success, but failure will bring divine curses.

_Sets up the moral and spiritual conflict of the story._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/i-of-the-birth-of-harmachis-the-prophecy-of-the-hathors-and-the-slaying-of-the-innocent-child
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cleopatra_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters