# III: Of the Rebuke of Amenemhat; Of the Prayer of Harmachis; and of the Sign Given by the Holy Gods explained — Cleopatra

> Chapter companion for Cleopatra by H. Rider Haggard.

## What happens

Harmachis confesses his disobedience to the High Priest Amenemhat, who reveals that Harmachis is his true son and the last heir of the Pharaoh Nekt-nebf, destined to free Egypt from the Ptolemaic and Roman yoke. Amenemhat rebukes him for yielding to taunts, delays his mission, and sends him to Annu for further training. Later, Harmachis prays on the pylon and receives a sign from the gods.

## Themes in this chapter

### Fate and Destiny

Harmachis learns of his divine destiny to free Egypt, but his failure in a trial delays his mission, emphasizing the conditional nature of fate.

### Honor and Shame

Amenemhat rebukes Harmachis for succumbing to taunts, stressing that a true servant of the gods must rise above personal pride and weakness.

### Power and Corruption

The Ptolemaic rulers are depicted as corrupt usurpers who have defiled Egypt's temples and oppressed its people, setting the stage for rebellion.

## Character check-ins

### Harmachis

Confesses his disobedience to Amenemhat, learns of his royal lineage and destiny, and prays for guidance on the pylon.

### Amenemhat

The High Priest rebukes Harmachis for his weakness, reveals his true parentage and the plot to overthrow the Ptolemies, and sends him to Annu.

### Atoua

The old wife who healed Harmachis's wounds and is revealed to be a prophetess; her words are confirmed by Amenemhat.

### Cleopatra

Mentioned as having fled to Syria to gather armies against her brother Ptolemy.

### Ptolemy Aulêtes

The dead king who had sought to kill Harmachis; his will is being defied by the eunuch Pothinus.

## Key lines

> He who would serve the Gods, Harmachis, must put aside the failings of the flesh. Taunts must not move him, nor any lusts of man.

To serve the gods, one must overcome human weaknesses like pride and desire.

_Amenemhat's rebuke emphasizes the need for self-mastery._

> Thou art no stranger adopted into my house and the worship of the Temple; thou art my very son, saved to me by this same woman.

You are not an adopted outsider; you are my true son, rescued by Atoua.

_Revelation of Harmachis's true parentage._

> The Roman eagle hangs on high, waiting with ready talons till such time as he may fall upon the fat wether Egypt and rend him.

Rome is poised to seize Egypt like a bird of prey.

_Metaphor for Roman imperial ambition._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cleopatra_se/chapters/iii-of-the-rebuke-of-amenemhat-of-the-prayer-of-harmachis-and-of-the-sign-given-by-the-holy-gods
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/cleopatra_se
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