Princess history

«It’s not for nothing that God Shiva on the night of the full moon on the eve of the spring equinox is dancing his famous dance to Tandav…» Theo interrupted him, snatching it, with a remark:

– Dance destroys the demonic power, destroys the creatures of evil.

«And in that case, the Amonite religion was an antipode or the opposite of Hinduism, and the priests are the ancestors of a tribe driven from Hindustan…

– Ancestors, this tribe, were asuras and demons. – Added Theo again.

– And the temples of Amun in ancient Egypt have always been the bearers of the cult of black magic…

Avlet decided to avoid confusion because of the Romans’ excesses, their arbitrariness, because of the forced appointment of a Roman rich merchant to the post of tsarist treasurer. This appointment was dictated by the huge monetary debts of Avlet, which he collected from Rabinia in exile to bribe the senators of Rome. Post Rapion, becoming a full-fledged master of the Egyptian treasury, robbed the people, imposing excessive taxes on each and every Egyptian. The discontent of the people increased with each new collection of taxes, heating up the impoverished people of Egypt, which sooner or later could explode as a riot. Anticipating the imminent threat to his rule. And, to propitiate the superstitious people, who passionately believed in the justice of the gods ruling Egypt. Avlet declared a pilgrimage to the oasis of the supreme god Amun. Announcing to the officials that he is going for the advice of the Oracle of the temple of Amun to the oasis of Siva, and calling upon his attendants to observe prudence, he will leave for the oasis of Amun. Like Alexander the Great, who visited the Oracles in his time in the oasis, Pharaoh intended to ask what is expected of Egypt after his return and accession to the throne. But in fact Ptolemy XII wanted to avoid losing power, foreseeing impending turmoil, enabling the people to throw off the yoke of the Romans and already return to Alexandria cleared of Rome’s legionaries. And so it was, before the end of the year 54, the popular uprising had banished Rabiria from Alexandria, but only after he had enriched himself and placed his acquired place in a safe place beyond the sea. The hostile party towards him in Rome gave Rabiria to court. Cicero defended Postum Rubiria, and his speech has survived to this day. However, history has not preserved what the verdict was handed down to him…

Meanwhile, in the spring of 54, having equipped a caravan with numerous guards and servants, the pharaoh set out on the road. To protect Gnaeus, Pompey ordered Antony to provide escorts to Ptolemy XII and protect him on the way. On this occasion, Avlet did not want to be surrounded by Roman legionaries, and refused the Roman guard, having recruited a group of Egyptians who proved themselves in the invasion of Egypt. Anthony stayed in Alexandria, and soon departed for Syria, as the trial of the self-proclaimed proconsul of Syria Gabinius. The territory of Syria remained without proper Roman control. Upon learning of the refusal of Aulus in the Roman guard, Pompey was indignant. He angrily went to the back-front of his villa, catching the fear of servants and slaves serving this beautiful house-refuge and a symbol of his power, where negotiations and receptions were conducted with the necessary and influential people, clothed not only by the Roman authorities, but also subject to Rome territories of neighboring states. Gnaeus Pompey sensed with some intuitive instinct that not only the pharaoh rushes to a remote oasis, only with the purpose of pilgrimage to the temple of Amun, to pay homage to the Oracle and ask About his further destiny and the fate of Egypt. But the fact that Avlet refuses to accept the protection of Rome, also confirms that the pilgrimage to the oasis of Amun is accomplished by Pharaoh for a different purpose. What is the true visit to the temple complex of Amon Ra in the oasis of Siva? This mystery haunted Pompey. And in order to find out About everything connected with the journey of Ptolemy XII, Gnaeus Pompey decided to withdraw from his flotilla the captain of the vessel Aphrodite Onesius, the best of best of his warriors and instruct him to accompany the caravan of Pharaoh. He thought for a long time and was tormented by this idea and even ordered the captain to come to his country villa. Before the order to the captain, he would go to Alexandria to the palace of Ptolemy XII, Pompey decided to discuss with Onisius a mission. When the consul sketched out briefly what was required of the captain, he replied:

«I am a simple soldier of your flagship Aphrodite; I will carry out any order of yours, Commander.» But I heard rumors that Avlett refused to guard the horsemen of Rome at the head of Antony, whom you commanded to accompany the caravan of Pharaoh, to the oasis of Siva? – said Onesius.

– It’s true. – Confirmed Pompey.

«I want to emphasize, Commander, that your dignity is above Abet’s vagaries, and your honor will be saved if I do not accompany the Pharaoh’s caravan.»

«Yes, you are, as usual, right, Onesius.» Pompey said with a deep sigh. «Return to Naples on your ship…»

«Do not you want to include even the trusted warrior Anthony in the guard?» – Learning About the refusal of his father Pompey, sending Mark Antony, commander of the Roman cavalry in Rome, said to his father Cleopatra. To which Avlet replied:

«This will not please the Oracle.» There is the sanctuary of Amon Ra, and the sacred place of the Oracle that keeps Egypt from foreign ruin. How can I take Romans with me as a guard?

«Father, but you can take it without his horsemen, Antony alone, as a mercenary, making your personal guard, consisting of experienced Egyptian warriors.» – Insisted her daughter – I saw him shoot with an arrow, how he manages the cavalry. He is a brave warrior and, moreover, he serves under the command of the proconsul of Rome, Gnaeus Pompeius, who saved your throne and you. Antony is loyal to you, like Rome! – Vehemently protested her daughter’s decision.

«I will not take a single Roman.» – Solidly stood on his Avlet.

Cleopatra did not lag behind, annoying her father:

– You know how, it will be honorable for him and your rear will be under reliable protection from enemies who want your death and want to conquer Egypt.

Ptolemy thought a little and to soften somehow his decision, vaguely replied to his daughter:

– Yes, daughter, you are very smart and every year you become smarter. Egypt will be in safe hands under your rule.

Cleopatra blushed slightly, and then bowed and left the throne room of the palace…

A richly equipped caravan of numerous guards on twelve loaded camels departed from Alexandria by the Mediterranean coast in the direction of Libya, to the Egyptian city of Mersa Matruh.

This city-port is located on the shores of the horseshoe-shaped bay of the Mediterranean Sea, which from the left joins the Gulf of El-Garam, fenced off from the sea by a natural dam. And in this port city remote from Alexandria, the traditions of the Egyptians were still strong, to perceive the power of the pharaoh, as the authority of the deity on earth, given by heaven, for the prosperity and power of the Egyptian kingdom. Therefore, Avlet was greeted with honors and offerings by noble officials, whom flattered the visit of such an expensive ruler.

Before moving the caravan trail of the Sahara to the oasis of Amun, the accompanying caravan of the servant changed the camels, and in three days, which the pharaoh held in the city palace, where the quarters for the noble guests were arranged, and, instructing local officials that they did not fail to complain About excessive taxes the tsarist treasury, set off early in the morning…

Twelve camels slowly moved stony desert one after another, led by the driver-conductor, the Egyptian of the Greek origin Creon. On one of the camels is fixed on four bamboo prop bushes awning. Silk curtains, light like butterfly wings, covered the princess Cleopatra from the rays of the desert sun. Wrapped from head to foot in blue embroidered clothes of women of the province of Ammonius, which is located in the oasis of Amun, fifteen-year-old Cleopatra was reliably protected from hot rays. A mounted detachment of selected Egyptian warriors with pyrites of arrows and battle bows on their backs walked on foot with their horses to follow the camels. Horses, people, and six sheep, moved leisurely along the caravan route of Mersa Matruh, an oasis of Amun. In front of the caravan on a white bay in apples, in a white Arabic robe with embroidered gold threads from below at the very heels and in a white turban, covering the head, forehead, face, except for the eyes, went the pharaoh. His black horse Orchid followed, on a leash for the bridle to the saddle of the pharaoh without harness. Ptolemy shore of the horse, knowing how much he needed, had to spend physical and spiritual strength in exile to regain the throne, and in the long journey of the desert, everything can become, and it may be that the last hope for the salvation of his daughter and daughter will be the faithful Orchid. On either side of the pharaoh, two warriors, in white long robes and turban, were leading their horses for bridle. The three horsemen are sent forward for reconnaissance. Trade caravans were often attacked by robbers, on this stretch of the road, as the city of Mersa Matruh, at that time, was a rich trading port, where brisk merchandise trade from all over the Mediterranean basin was…

Chapter Four

In the clothes of traveler’s caravan routes of deserts Ptolemy XII made this pilgrimage to the Oasis of the Oasis of Amun, with only one goal – establishing himself on the throne, reviving the faith of the people in the loving and just ruler of the son of Zeus-Amon appointed by the gods to rule over Egypt. His caravan had already reached the town of Secket El Sultan, when twilight came. In the desert, darkness comes suddenly, it’s only necessary for the sun to disappear behind the barchans, and while the disk of light is still hanging near the horizon line and its rays are reddish like copper, they paint the majestic heads of camels and the luggage, still light.

The first clay huts of the inhabitants appeared not far away. In this place the driver of the caravan knew where to water the horses of protection, replenish the water supplies and settle down for the night. The advanced warriors arrived to the pharaoh with a report informing him that the tent that they had taken with them was already installed and the territory inspected and safe. All residents are warned and will not leave their homes until the Seket El Sultan leaves the Pharaoh. The commander of the guard ordered to prepare for a night’s lodging, water the horses, and the servants to build bonfires and set About preparing food. The camel drivers removed the cargo from the animals and, spreading the hay in front of them, with a cane, began to bend their legs to the camels, not letting the animals lie on their side. The animals, at the same time, grumbled discontentedly, placing the drivers in front of the bunches of hay. And soon, already peacefully chewed the hay, resting from the path.

It was night in the shadows of the fires. Unbeknownst to the tent of the pharaoh came a black woman in a veil. Her hunched back and trembling hands gave out an advanced age. The face was stained with dust, covering the deep wrinkles around the eyes that sparkled like coals, reflected in the glare of the flames of the fires.

«You are an old wretch!» – shouted in the Egyptian dialect to her one of the two guards standing at the entrance to the tent of the pharaoh.

«Tell Avletu that the nurse of Cleopatra, Onisia, wants to talk to him.» – Squeaky voice with a Persian accent answered the woman.

The guard hesitated for a moment, and then went into the tent.

Avlet at that time was flushing dust from his face. He leaned over the copper basin, and his neck was watered with water from a golden jug by a white slave. The king snorted, splashing water on the carpet in all directions. The guard waited patiently. Finally Avet took the towel from the hands of a servant, wiped himself and only now drew attention to the guard.

– What do you have Dionysius, say, I’m listening to you?

«Oh, Divine Son of Heaven, an old slave to Cleopatra’s nurse wants to go to you.» «Low bowing,» and leaning on one knee, the guard said, not lifting his bowed head from the carpet that covered the clay soil in the tent.

«What is her name?» – Asked severely.

– She called herself Onesia. – Answered Dionysius.

Avtet picked up his ears. The name of the captain of the Roman military ship «Aphrodite», whose name was Onisii, was remembered. In memory arose a tall, strong physique of the captain. The swarthy eagle profile of this battle-hardened warrior inspired respect and confidence to Pharaoh when the proconsul of Rome Gnaeus Pompey took his and Cleopatra’s care and ferried them to the Aphrodite from Syria to Naples, the captain made a good impression on Ptolemy.

«Surely this is the captain sent by Pompey, with some important secret report, this forced him to come to me in the image of my daughter’s nonexistent wet-nurse.» – In the ear loudly ordered:

«Tell him to come in!» – Pharaoh’s loud voice sounded so that he could be heard and behind the tent.

Hearing the name of the wet nurse, Cleopatra ran out of the half-closed tent, dressed in a snow-white Roman tunic.

«My father never had a wet nurse.» I was breastfed by my mother! Said the daughter with alarm, with astonishment, trying to speak as quietly as possible, almost in a whisper.

«Do not worry, daughter, this is my confidant with a report. – Pharaoh answered, trying to calm her. At this time, a hunched, dry, old age of a short, almost dwarfish woman entered the tent. She looked around with a guarded and piercing gaze and stared at the princess. Ptolemy began to look at him with surprise. And then, deciding to satisfy his curiosity with the unexpected appearance of an unfamiliar guest, he gestured for his daughter to go to her own half. Cleopatra was extremely surprised at this visit, but fears did not leave her, even when Avlet told her who Actius was in fact. The life of Cleopatra in the palace, where there was a conspiracy and betrayal in her family. And now, without informants, it was impossible to save power to her father. With this Cleopatra quickly hid behind the curtain. The Visitors did not say a word until the servant left the tent. As soon as the last servant left the bedchamber of the pharaoh, the woman took off her veil, rubbed soot from her face with the palm of her hand, and a lean, tanned, copper-tinged skin, a short man appeared before Avelt. Under the burqa on it were clothes and equipment of an Egyptian warrior, on his chest hung a strange amulet on a black leather lace.

«Greetings, Ptolemy. – Putting his right hand to his chest, and bowing low, began to speak entered. – I am sent to you by the sky to secure your way to the Oracle of Amon Ra. My name is Kshatra, I am a priest of the temple of the god Shiva Nataraja, which is in Hindustan. I am here because you are making a pilgrimage to the temple of Amun to priests, ancestors, who were asuras and demons. They were expelled from the lands of India. I’m here to protect the Ptolemaic family from the designs of ill-wishers, encroaching on your throne. I follow with your caravan from Mersa Matruh. On the way I had a chance to look at all of those who accompanied you. I did not notice any enemies. Be still, your way is safe. «Again,» Kshatr bowed.

Avlet threw him a wet canvas of soft linen:

«Kshatra, wipe your face, it’s soiled with soot, like a demon from a land of shadows on the bank of Styx.» – Kshatr, having caught a damp cloth on the fly, wiped the soot from his face: «I see that you come from the south of Egypt and will not give yourself away as a foreigner.» But, the fact that you are a priest, I see no evidence. Avet paused, expressively measuring the stranger from head to foot with his gaze. «You came here as a guest, and my path in the sanctuary of Amon Ra should not be overshadowed by anything, so I leave you life.» I believe that the god Amon Ra sent you to make my way successful, it is a sign from above. Tell servants who cook food, let them feed you.

«Oh, the governor of the god Amon Ra on earth, do not stand your divine concern for me, I’m not hungry. And here is what I am commanded to give to you the powerful heavenly powers guarding your path to the Oracle sanctuary, this amulet opening the way to the tomb of Alexander the Great and to his untold riches of the labyrinth under the land of the temple of Amun Ra. – With these words Kshatr, took off the amulet and handed it to Ptolemy. Pharaoh put the gift of Kshatra on his palm, carefully examined it. It was a metal key made of unfamiliar material. On one side of the key is fixed a plate with notches in the form of small protrusions. From the opposite, the holder rests against a semicircle fixed by the middle convex part in the groove of the rod-holder. Ptolemy drew attention to the scrapping of the edge of this semicircle, it looked as if someone had deliberately broken off half the mug from the key holder…

Avlet looked inquiringly at Kshatra, weighing his true intentions in his mind. A tanned, almost dark shade of skin gave him the appearance of a resident from the headwaters of the Nile. And did not produce the impression of a temple servant, Lord Shiva Nataraja from the land of Hindustan. Ksatr hastened to say:

– This key will give you respect for the Oracle, power and wealth, which the rulers of Egypt did not yet know, oh, the great governor of the god Zeus-Amon on earth.

«Oh, yes, that would be useful, because I need money right now because of which the troubles in Egypt are brewing.» – Pharaoh thought, he said aloud, – How will you continue to carry out your mission? – letting him of greatness and importance, spoke, letting the guest understand that he was accepted into the caravan.

«There’s no point in staying with you.» It will be useful if I go out to the oasis tonight and find out and investigate everything you need to know for your safe stay in the capital of Agurmi oasis Amun. «Having said this, Ksatr looked expectantly at Pharaoh’s eyes. Avlette was silent. He put on his neck an amulet, he hid it on his chest, began to consider the alien thoughtfully. He was amazed by the proud posture and boldness in the look of piercing black eyes, as he looked directly at Pharaoh, that commoners and servants and soldiers from his guard could not afford. He was a free and independent man, his behavior with the ruler of Egypt, one gesture that was enough to make the head of this frail man with a sudden appearance flew from his shoulders, spoke of this, a night visitor, even a hint of hostility to the untouchable person of the king. The pause was prolonged, Pharaoh continued, silently looking at the visitor. And then he said slowly: