Chapter 2.
Raising his head, the priest looked up at the pharaoh. The slightest hint of a smile crossed the pharaoh’s lip, then quickly vanished. In that brief moment, shared knowledge was again confirmed. The priest’s eyebrows arched knowingly as he nodded ever so slightly. Then in one smooth motion the High Priest prostrated himself before Pharaoh.
The crowd roared its approval. This new priest, chosen by Pharaoh, to intercede between god and men, had humbled himself before their beloved leader. Their confidence and respect for this new high priest was assured by this single gesture.
Tensions began to dissipate. Cautious smiles broke upon faces of those who moments before had been plotting how to control or eliminate this newest threat. As one, they began to applaud, raising their voices in approval. For now, their positions were secure. But time would tell.
The priest rose to his feet, clasping his hands in front of him. Again making eye contact with the pharaoh, he bowed deeply. The crowds roar became deafening. Priest and pharaoh again locked eyes. At a slight, almost imperceptible nod from pharaoh, the High Priest turned to face the onlookers. Stepping forward to the edge of the portico, he raised his hands high. Silence fell upon the crowd.
“People of the chosen! Behold your Pharaoh!” he shouted.
As one, the drums began a resounding roll. All within the plaza faced the portico, dropped to their knees and bowed their heads to the ground.
“Arise . . . and be transfigured before the most high KHUFU!” his voice carried across the crowd. A reverent silence fell over the onlookers.
“Son of the morning! Seed of the loins of Snefru! Favored of the womb of Hetepheres! King of the upper and lower kingdoms! He comes before us now in his beneficence! Behold . . . he brings unto us REVELATION!” The High Priest raised both arms, extending them in a beseeching manner. Once again the masses roared their approval.
From his throne, Pharaoh watched with veiled curiosity. What this stranger had told him was true. He was able to sway the masses. His public oratory was extremely effective, even though he had confessed to having no formal training in the art. When he had first appeared on the scene his display of humility had put even the most arrogant of the Elites off guard. How else would he have been able to persuade them to allow him an audience with the most powerful man in the world?
And the things he had said and done in private! The marvels he had described! The small demonstrations he had conducted seemed plausible, at least on the small scale. But could they possibly work on the gigantic scale he had described? Such feats of engineering had never existed. Would these concepts really work? If they did, science and engineering would take giant leaps forward. And Pharaoh would get the credit. Khufu’s achievements would be admired above all those of his predecessors.
He, like all pharaohs before him, had been born of royal stock. Even with such advantages he had struggled. He had not been above engaging in any number of ‘discrete’ actions to gain and hold power. This newest of schemes (‘discovering’ a new god) had been nothing less than a manipulation to strengthen the peoples’ support. He might be Pharaoh. He might be ‘all powerful’; but without the support of the masses he would be more vulnerable.
The power struggle never ended. His father had taught him, and experience had proved, that politics was nothing more than war clothed in the garments of diplomacy. This new ‘priest’ could prove to be an asset if he was handled properly. But if he failed to produce . . . well, Pharaoh was not without his resources.
“Even as we gather here in this place,” the priest gesticulated, focusing the crowds attention, “noble or common though we may be; yet we do not go unnoticed!” The cheering increased. Gesturing for calm, he continued, “Pure may be our intent; but alas, we are but imperfect mortals. The cares of our lives seem trivial in the eyes of some; yet we know that to us they are all important. Are the cares of the weak less than those of the strong?”
“No!” the crowd shouted.
“Behold our great Pharaoh; master of all he sees! Before him our foes wither! At his request, men toil with one accord! We gaze upon him in awe! And he, in turn, knows our plight!” The high priest stepped forward, feet apart slightly, arms outstretched, beckoning the onlookers to strain forward in anticipation.
“Who are we that we would pray unto an unknown god? We would as soon gaze upon the bright sun at mid-day and be henceforth overwhelmed by its majesty! Behold our great Pharaoh! His bowels are filled with compassion! In profound humility he has prayed in our behalf! And his prayers have been answered!” His voice increased in volume, stirring the crowd into near frenzy.
“Behold, he has seen a vision!” His voice raised in crescendo; his arms spread high above his head, fists clenched.
“Fall we then upon our knees, that we may worship the unseen god; full of majesty; even beyond the sun!” the priest turned, facing Pharaoh and the huge carving in the temple wall beyond. “Now sing we praises to the unseen god! AH-MOON-RA!! AH-MOON-RA!! AH-MOON-RA!!” The drums and the people took up the cadence. After a few moments, the high priest turned back toward the throng.
“See our great Pharaoh! See him now offer in our behalf a gift! A golden gift . . . worthy of a god! Pray you now that our all-powerful god AH-MOON-RA, the unseen God may accept this token of our adoration!
The High Priest turned and dropped to his knees as Pharaoh arose and stepped down from his throne, tokens of power held crossing his chest. Turning around slowly, he raised his arms, copying the High Priest, though he remained on his feet.
The four bearers on the litter arose, lifting the golden ‘gift’ above their heads. They stepped off the litter and moved to one side. Slaves rushed in and moved the litter out of the way.
Khufu walked forward toward the massive temple doors, in step with the cadence. The gift bearers fell into step behind him. Guards opened the doors wide, then held them in place as the procession approached. Pharaoh continued forward followed by the four priests. The High Priest arose and turned toward the chanting crowd.
“Hear ye, oh people of our pharaoh! He goes now to commune with our god! Bid him well!” The chanting intensified. “I go now to intercede in your behalf, that god and pharaoh may remember their love for you!”
Turning away from the crowd, he bowed his head, folded his arms in front of him, and walked slowly into the temple.