In the StreetsThe Temple of PtahGlimpses of LifeA DisputeOld Age is honouredA Dignified
NoblemanHighborn LadiesRacial TypesBearers of Temple OfferingsIn the SlumsArtisans at
WorkThe MarketplaceFresh Fish on SaleOn the QuaysSailors from CretePharaoh's SoldiersArrest of
the Tax CollectorsA Significant Folk TaleThe Wronged PeasantHis Appeal to the judgeEloquent
SpeechesHonoured by His Majesty.
As we gaze upon the scenes depicted in tombs, read the inscriptions, and piece together fragments of papyri
containing old legends, we are afforded vivid glimpses of life in the Old Kingdom. The great city of
Memphis is conjured up before us; its gates lie open, and armed guards permit us to enter. We walk through
the crowded streets, pausing now and again to gaze upon the people as they come and go, or, perchance, we
loiter in front of a yard or workshop, watching the busy artisans plying their trades.
We pass through a main thoroughfare. Most of the houses are built of brick; the dwellings of the poor are of
wattles daubed with clay. . . . Now we enter a spacious square, in the centre of which towers a sublime statue
of the Pharaoh. The sun is hot, although it is yet early forenoon, and we seek the shadow of that vast
dominating building round which the city has grown up. It is the stone temple of the god Ptah, grandly severe
in outline and fronted by two noble pylons of massiveproportions. We peer through the gateway as we pass.
A procession of priests is crossing an inner court on which lie the broad shadows of great square pillars set
widely apart, and supporting immense blocks of limestone. One is impressed by the air of mystery and
solemnity which pervades the temple interior.
We can seat ourselves here on the stone bench and watch the crowds pouring from the streets. Memphis is a
wonderfully quiet city. You hear a constant hum of voices; it murmurs like a great beehive. But there is no
clatter of traffic, for the streets are devoid of vehicles, and horses are as yet unknown in the land of Egypt.
Peasants from the country are leading their asses laden with salt, corded bales, rushes for basket makers,
bundles of papyrus stalks, and hard stones. Great burdens are carried on the shoulders of labourers; even boys stagger under heavy loads.
Everyone is scantily clad. Men of the lower classes wear only a loincloth, while those of higher social rank
have short kilts of linen which are strapped round their waists with leather belts. Women of all ranks are
gowned to the ankles, and ladies have skirts so narrow that they walk with short steps, but yet not
ungracefully.
Half−naked the men may be, yet it is not difficult to distinguish the various classes. There is no mistaking the
labourer, even although his burden has been delivered, or the tradesman, for he carries his tools. Here is a
busy merchant knitting his brows, and there a bland−faced scribe with dry, pouting lips and peering eyes set
in cobwebs of wrinkles. A few merry students are walking leisurely towards the temple with papyrus rolls
under their arms.
A loud clamour of voices in dispute has broken out at a street corner. Two carriers have collided, and theone
who has fallen is an Egyptian; the other is a tall negro. The smaller man leaps to his feet. Insult has been
added to injury, for the alien is but. a slave, and, fuming with anger, he throws himself on the black man, who
is hampered by his load, and belabours him with his fists. A crowd collects, and its sympathy is evidently
with the Egyptian. But suddenly a few city guards rush forward; they smite the combatants with their staves,
force them apart, and cause them to hasten away. The crowd disperses speedily, and order is again restored.
Note the studied politeness of the greater number of pedestrians. Age is highly honoured, young men stand
aside to allow their seniors to pass; three lads have risen from a shaded seat near to us to make room for an
old man who is frail and breathless and desires to rest a little ere he enters the temple.
Now the moving crowd breaks apart, for somebody of importance is coming up the street. He is a nobleman
and a royal official of high rank. In. the Court he is "Keeper of the Royal Robes" and "Sandal−bearer to the
Pharaoh". He is also one of those great judges who sit in the Hall of justice. In his youth he was a college
friend of the monarch's, and is now privileged at Court ceremonies to kiss the royal toe instead of the dust on
which it trod. He owns a large estate, and has much wealth and influence. As he walks past, the pedestrians
salute him respectfully with uplifted arms. He makes no response; he appears to be oblivious to their
presence. Mark his imperious air and lordly gait. . . . His kilt is finely embroidered; the upper part of his body
is bare; on his head he wears a great stiff wig which falls down behind over his shoulders, protecting his neck
from the hot sun. He is square−chested and muscular; he walks erect, with tilted chin. His face is drawn and
severe; hehas firmly set, drooping lips, and his eyes are stern and proud. He is obviously a man accustomed
to command and to be obeyed. . . . A servant shuffles after him carrying his sandals and water bottle.
He has just acknowledged with a curt bow the profound obeisance of that rich merchant. But now he meets
an equal in the middle of the squareImhotep, Chief Architect to the King. Ere they speak they both bow
gravely, bending their backs, with hands reaching to their knees. Then they converse for a few moments,
salute one another again, and turn gravely away.
Some high−born ladies have gathered in the shade. Two carry bunches of lotus flowers, and the others smell
them with appreciation. Their faces are refined and vivacious, and one is "black but comely", for she is a
Nubian by birth. How they chatter as they flicker their broad fans! Their white gowns are elaborately
embroidered in colours, and they all wear sandals, for the builders have left much grit in the streets. Their
wigs are drawn low on their foreheads, round which they are clasped by graven bands of silver and gold.
Gems sparkle in their necklaces, which are of elaborate design, and one or two wear their wigs set well back
to display heavy car−rings, which are becoming fashionable. A handsome girl is wearing a broad gold armlet
which came from Crete. The others examine it with interest, and when they break into laughter, displaying
gleaming white teeth, the girl looks sideways in confusion, for they tease her about her far−travelled lover
who gifted her that rare ornament. Now they saunter in pairs across the square; they are going down to the quays to sail on the Nile.
There is a variety of racial types about us. The southern Egyptians are almost black, those from the centre of
the kingdom are brown, and the Delta peoplehave yellow skins. That bearded man who has just gone past is a
Semite from Arabia; and here comes a soft−featured Syrian, walking with an oblique−eyed Sumerian from
Babylonia. These tall negroes are Nubian mercenaries, who were taken captive in a frontier war. Of late the
stone builders have been purchasing them in large numbers, for they have great muscular strength and make
excellent labourers.
There is no mistaking the awkward, wide−eyed peasant who came to the market with salt, and is now
surveying the great city of wonderful buildings and endless streets.
That red−haired man who is hurrying past is an Amorite; he came south to barter rugs for corn. He looks
behind with an ugly scowl−a carrier has shouted something after him, because an Egyptian peasant dislikes a
man who reminds him of red−haired Set, the slayer of Osiris.
Now here comes a handsome stranger who is exciting much interest. Men and women turn round to look after
him. Children regard him with wonder. Not only is he taller than the majority of Memphites, but he is
distinguished by his lightly coloured hair and his strange blue eyes. Some would fain know if his cheeks are a
natural red or smeared with face paint. No one doubts whence he came. He is one of the fair Libyans, and he
is evidently a man of some importance, for even royal officials acknowledge his salutations.
Ere we turn away, let us watch that little procession of young peasants walking past. They are bearers of
offerings, and are going to the temple. One lad has shouldered a live calf, another brings a bundle of papyrus
stalks, and a third has a basket of flour upon his head. The girls carry bunches of flowers, doves in pairs, and
tame pelicans. One or two calves are led by boys. Littlenotice is taken of the peasants. Processions of similar
character are seen daily in Memphis.
We had better cross over quickly, for here comes a great herd of unwilling goats driven by shouting peasants
who wield their staves rather freely, nor care whether they miss a goat and strike a pedestrian. The city guards
are watching them with interest, for they know their men.
Now turn down this narrow twisting street. Houses are lower here, and some are built with brick, but most of
them are constructed of clay−plastered wickerwork. Why not enter this little dwelling? The door lies open,
and there is nobody within. Man and wife labour in a potter's yard. The furniture consists of one or two tough
stools, a low bed over which hangs a gnat−protecting net, and here and there are a few jars and pots of coarse
pottery. Within the window lattice a bunch of lotus leaves is drying in the sun; a cut of salted fish hangs on
the wall; a flint knife lies on the floor. The house is used mainly as a sleeping apartment, and if there is a
baby it is near the mother in the potter's yard.
Outside, a few children are playing a curious game, which appears to be an imitation of a temple ceremony.
Wives of artisans sit gossiping in the shade of a brick building; some are sewing, and others are cutting
vegetables which they have brought from the market. Two girls go past with water pots on their heads.
We have glimpses, as they walk on, of long narrow lanes of small and low−roofed houses. There is evidently
much congestion in the poorer quarters of the city. Look through that open door and you will see an
industrious family. A widow and her three daughters are spinning and weaving fine linen, which might well
be mistaken for silk.Here is a brickyard. Labourers are mixing the clay; others shape the bricks with a binding
of straw and lay them out to dry. Carriers come for those which are ready, and take heavy loads in two slings
suspended from poles which they lift upon their shoulders. An overseer hastens them on, for the builders
cannot be kept waiting Farther on is a stoneworker's yard. Under an awning squat several skilled artisans who are engaged making
vessels of alabaster and porphyry. The process is slow and arduous. One has shaped and polished a handsome
jar with fluted lip and narrow neck, and is hollowing it out with a copper−tipped drill which is fed with
ground emery. He pauses for a moment to wipe the perspiration from his forehead. and remarks to a fellow:
"This is certainly a handsome vessel." The other looks up and surveys it critically. "It is your masterpiece," he
remarks, with a smile, and then goes on drilling a large shallow milk bowl.
Two men are cutting a block of porphyry with a copper saw, while an apprentice supplies the emery, and
relieves now one and then the other. See how skilfully those labourers are levering a granite boulder into
position; it is mounted on a rounded wooden cradle, and slewed this way and that. A lad is gathering wedges
with which to raise it up. One or two naked boys, squatted in a shady corner, are watching the proceedings
with interest. They are going to saw stone too, when they grow strong.
We enter another street and our ears are assailed by the clamour of metal workers. It is a noisy quarter. Bang,
bang, go the hammers on a large sheet of copper. One would be deafened if he stayed here long. Passersby
twitch their eyes and foreheads and hurry on. Lookat these naked men kneeling round the blazing furnace,
puffing their cheeks and blowing through long pipes. No Egyptian inventor has yet contrived a mechanical
bellows. Now the glowing metal is pulled from the furnace, and a dozen exhausted workers rise, with their
blowpipes in their hands, coughing and rubbing their eyes, to wait until the hammermen require them again.
Here are goldsmiths at work. A man is weighing precious metal in a balance, and a scribe sits in front of him
making careful records on a sheet of papyrus. Near by are men with clever fingers and keen eyes, who
engrave and pierce little pieces of gold and silver, shape ear−rings and necklaces, and hammer out sheets of
gold which are to be inscribed with hieroglyphics. An overseer moves to and fro from bench to bench and
artisan to artisan, surveying everything that is being done with critical eyes.
So we pass from street to street, here watching potters at work, there sculptors and carvers of wood and ivory,
and anon the sandal makers and those deft leather cutters who provide gentlemen with slitted network to
suspend on the back of their kilts for sitting upon.
Now we reach the principal marketplace. The scene is animated and intensely human. Merchants are squatted
beside their stalls, some drowsing in the heat while they await purchasers, and others gesticulating excitedly
at bargain making. There is a good deal of wrangling, and voices are often raised in dispute, while friends
gather in knots and chatter and laugh or engage in lively argument. Some make purchases with ring money,
but the majority engage in barter. Here a merchant has displayed a fine collection of vases and bowls. A lady
surveys his wares critically and shakes her head over the prices he demands; but he waits patiently, for he
knowsshe is tempted to purchase and notes that she always returns to a particular porphyry jar of exquisite
design.
A woman of the working class leans over a basket of fish, and doubts if they are quite fresh. The vendor lifts
one, presses it with his fingers, and smiles to her. "Caught this morning," he says. She decides to have it for
her husband's dinner, and gives in exchange a piece of red pottery. Another woman barters a small carved
box for ointment and perfume, while a man gives a fan for a bundle of onions.
A steward from a nobleman's house passes from stall to stall, accompanied by two servants, making
numerous purchases, because several guests of note are coming to the evening meal. He is welcomed,
although a hard bargainer, for he pays with money.
We catch, as we turn away, a soothing glimpse of the broad blue river, and turn towards it, for the streets are
dusty and hot, and we know the air is cooler beside the quays. We cross an open space in which are piled up
the cargoes of unloaded boats. Here come half a dozen foreign sailors who are going sightseeing. They also intend to make private purchases for their friends at home. You can tell by their pants and characteristic
"wasp waists" that they are Cretans. They are short of stature and slim and have sharp features like the Delta
coast dwellers, and their movements are active. Their dark hair is pleated in three long coils which fall over
their shoulders, and they affect small coloured turbans. They all wear armlets, which are greatly favoured in
the distant island kingdom.
A company of Pharaoh's soldiers are marching towards the great limestone fortress. They are naked, save for
their loincloths, and about half of them are archers; the others are armed with long spears and carry wooden
shields, square at the bottom and arching to a point at the top. They go past with a fine swing, although they
have been drilling all forenoon on an open space two miles southward of the city.
Yonder are boatbuilders at work. The Cretan traders have brought them a fresh supply of seasoned timber as
well as a raft of drifted logs from Lebanon. Wood is scarce and dear in Egypt, and watchmen are on duty in
the yard day and night.
Three commodious river boats are being constructed. The work is well advanced, for the carpenters are fitting
in the benches, which are being pierced and prepared for jointing on trestles by men who sit astride them. The
artisans are skilled and active, and the overseers who direct operations are easily recognized; they carry long
staffs in their right hands and constantly urge on the men.
But what is happening yonder in front of the Government buildings? A large crowd has assembled, and the
jeers and roars of laughter indicate that something of amusing character is in progress. We press forward to
find that the city guards have made several arrests, and are hauling their protesting prisoners through the
doorway. The spectators are delighted to see "the tables turned", for these are their oppressorsthe tax
collectorswho are being taken before the Pharaoh's accountants so that their accounts may be audited. There
have been several complaints of late of extortionate dealings and dishonest transactions. In a large hall within
we see the stern auditors kneeling at their low desks, on which are piled the official records. Scribes record
the proceedings. Each arrested man crouches on his knees, and is held firmly by a guard while he is sharply
questioned and his accounts are checked. All his privatepapers have been seized; he must explain every entry
and prove that he is a man above suspicion. It is a rough−and−ready, but effective, manner of doing business.
Punishments for dishonesty or oppression are sharp and peremptory.
The Pharaoh is the protector of all his subjects great and small. A poor man may suffer a great wrong and
find himself unable to have it righted even in the Hall of justice; but if the great monarch is appealed to, he
will prove to be no respecter of persons, and visit the wrongdoer with punishment of great severity.
A tale has come down the ages which was often related in the dwellings of poor and great alike, to show how
Pharaoh might espouse the cause of the humblest man in the kingdom. Scribes recorded it on papyri, and
fragments of these still survive.
Once upon a time a peasant had his dwelling in the Fayum, and it was his custom to load his ass with nitre
and reeds, salt and stones, and seeds and bundles of wood, and drive it to a town in the south, where in the
marketplace he exchanged what he had brought for other things that he and his family required. He began to
be prosperous.
One day, when it was nigh to harvesttime, he journeyed townwards and reached the estate of a great royal
official named Meritensa. As he passed through it he came to the farm of Hamti, a feudal tenant. The farmer
saw him approach, and to himself he said: "May the god permit me to rob the peasant of his ass and its
burden. I have need of salt."
The path along the river bank was exceedingly narrow, for Hamti had sowed much land. Between his corn and the water there was scarcely the breadth of a man's body.Said the farmer to one of his servants: "Bring
me a rug from within." The man ran to Hamti's house and came back with a rug, which was spread out upon
the path, and it reached from the corn to the river edge.
The peasant drove his ass along the narrow way, past the corn, and when he drew nigh, the farmer called to
him, saying: "Observe where you are going; do not soil my rug."
"I will do according to your will," remarked the peasant, "and avoid troubling you."
So he smote his ass and turned it inland to pass round the field. But the farmer would not be satisfied with
that even. He shouted with an angry voice, saying: "Would you dare to trample upon my corn? There is no
path that way."
"What else can I do?" remonstrated the peasant; "you prevent me from using the path by laying a rug upon it."
As he spoke his ass began to eat the grain, and the farmer seized it and said: "I will take this animal in
payment for the damage it has done."
The peasant cried indignantly: "What? first you close the path against me, and now you seize my ass because
it has taken a few ears of barley. Dare not to wrong me on this estate; it belongs to the just Meritensa, the
great judge, who is a terror to all evildoers in the kingdom. Well you know that I speak truly. Do not imagine
that you can oppress me on the land of such a good and high nobleman."
But the farmer laughed. "Heard you not," he asked, "the maxim which says: 'A peasant is esteemed only by
himself?' Know now, too, that I am even Meritensa, the judge, of whom you have spoken. I will deal with
you here and now."Having spoken thus, the farmer seized a scourge and lashed the peasant fiercely, seeking
to drive him away. But the wronged man refused to depart. His body ached with many wounds. He waited
about all day, but neither by threat nor tearful appeal could he prevail upon the farmer to give him back his
ass and the burden it carried.
Then the peasant hastened towards the dwelling of Meritensa. He waited the coming forth of that great lord,
sitting patiently beside the wall gate. Hours went past, and at length he saw Meritensa walking out to step
into a boat at the river side.
"Hail to thee, my lord!" he called. "Bid one of your servants to hear the tale of my wrong."
As the man desired, so did the nobleman do. He bade a scribe to converse with the peasant, who related how
he had been wronged by Hamti.
So it happened that, when sitting in the Hall of justice next morning, Meritensa repeated the accusations
which the peasant had made against the farmer. The other judges heard, and then said:
"It is our rule here that these peasants should bring witnesses. We know their ways. If it is proved that the
farmer stole some nitre and salt, he can be ordered to make payment, or else he can be scourged. But we must
first hear evidence to confirm what is said by this peasant fellow."
Meritensa made no reply. He was indignant at the other judges, and scorned to discuss the matter with them
any further. He decided to advise the wronged man what to do.
But the peasant could not find witnesses, and again he waited the coming forth of the good judge. Then he
praised him with a loud voice, saying: "Thou artmighty among the mighty ones and the good friend of poor men. May fair winds waft thee on the lake of truth; may no wave smite thee or any terror come nigh. Thou art
a father to the fatherless, and a husband to the widow and a brother to the girl in need. I laud thy name, for
thou dost give excellent counsel without desire of reward. Thou art the enemy of the wrongdoer and the lover
of justice. My cry thou didst hear, and thou hast permitted me to speak. Thou art esteemed by those who are
worthy. Now show me mercy and undo my wrong; consider my prayer, enquire regarding me, and thou wilt
find that I have been plundered."
Meritensa was on his way to the palace, and he repeated unto Pharaoh what the peasant had said, and related
how he had been robbed by the farmer.
His Majesty said: "This man hath great eloquence. See that his wrong is not righted for a little time yet, and
arrange that all his fine speeches are recorded by your scribes. I should like to hear them word by word.
Meantime see that his wife and his children do not want for food."
The peasant was given a supply of bread each day, and Meritensa arranged that his wife and children should
also be supplied with food in abundance.
Daily did the wronged man wait the coming forth of the noble, whom he addressed with great eloquence and
poetic fervour. The scribes recorded all the words of his mouth. But Meritensa pretended not to heed him, and
he even had him beaten.
Nine times did the peasant make appeal to the judge, and at length two servants went and spoke to the man,
who, when he saw them approach, feared that he was about to be scourged once again. But the words which
they spake for their lord were:"You have no cause to be afraid because you addressed the judge these many
times. The Pharaoh has read your speeches and has praised them, and you will be rewarded."
Meritensa then caused his scribes to take down the evidence of the peasant regarding the robbery of his ass
and its burden of nitre and salt, and he laid the document before His Majesty.
Pharaoh said: "I cannot attend to this matter. Consider it yourself and see that justice is done."
Meritensa then dispatched his officers to the farm, and he caused Hamti's house and all his goods to be
confiscated and given unto the peasant.
All that was done was confirmed and approved by the Pharaoh, who commanded that the eloquent peasant
should be brought to the palace. His Majesty took delight in his speeches and honoured him greatly, for he
caused rich dainties from the royal table to be sent unto the man and his family.