Cleopatra · Chapter
Of the Departure of Harmachis and of His Meeting with His Uncle Sepa, the High Priest of Annu El Ra; Of His Life at Annu, and of the Words of Sepa explained
Harmachis departs from Abouthis, traveling down the Nile to Memphis and then to Annu (Heliopolis).
What happens
Harmachis departs from Abouthis, traveling down the Nile to Memphis and then to Annu (Heliopolis). He is greeted by his uncle Sepa, the High Priest of Ra, who embraces him and begins his secret education in the mysteries, preparing him for his destiny as the deliverer of Egypt. Over five years, Harmachis studies religion, magic, astronomy, statecraft, and languages, while receiving letters from his father Amenemhat. Sepa reveals the political turmoil under Cleopatra and the Romans, urging Harmachis to act for Khem.
Themes in this chapter
Fate and Destiny
Harmachis is groomed for a prophesied role as deliverer of Egypt, with Sepa emphasizing his great destiny.
Religion and Mysticism
The chapter details Harmachis's initiation into the mysteries of the gods, including the worship of Apis and the secret knowledge of the temples.
Power and Corruption
Sepa describes Cleopatra's treacherous rise to power, the oppression of tax-gatherers, and the decay of Egypt under foreign rule.
Characters to notice
- Harmachis
The protagonist, son of Amenemhat, departs for Annu to be educated by his uncle Sepa.
- Sepa
High Priest of Annu, uncle of Harmachis, who initiates him into the mysteries and reveals the political situation.
- Amenemhat
Father of Harmachis, sends him on the journey and corresponds with him during his years of study.
- Atoua
The old wife who throws a sandal after Harmachis for good luck as he departs.
- Cleopatra
Mentioned by Sepa as the queen who has slain her brother Ptolemy and rules with Roman support.
- Caesarion
Son of Cleopatra and Julius Caesar, made co-ruler by Cleopatra.
- Arsinoë
Sister of Cleopatra, taken to Rome by Caesar to adorn his triumph.
Key passages
“At the dawning of the next day I was awakened by a priest of the temple, who brought word to me to make ready for the journey of which my father had spoken, inasmuch as there was an occasion for me to pass down the river to Annu el Ra.”
The next morning, a priest woke Harmachis and told him to prepare for the journey to Annu (Heliopolis) as his father had arranged.
Harmachis begins his journey to study under his uncle Sepa.
“And when I had worshipped, saying the words which had been told me, the God knelt, and lay down before me. Then the High Priest and those with him, who, as I heard in after time, were great men of Upper Egypt, approached wondering, and, saying no word, made obeisance to me because of the omen.”
After Harmachis performed the prescribed worship, the Apis bull knelt before him, which the priests interpreted as a divine omen and bowed to him in reverence.
The Apis bull's submission is seen as a sign of Harmachis's destined greatness.
“But, Harmachis, the whole land boils and seethes against her. In every city the children of Khem talk of the deliverer who is to come—and thou art he, Harmachis.”
Sepa tells Harmachis that all of Egypt is in turmoil and awaiting a deliverer, and that Harmachis is that prophesied leader.
Sepa reveals Harmachis's role as the expected liberator of Egypt.
