Rhadopis of Nubia
Language: English
Pages: 240
ISBN: 1400076684
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
Nobel laureate Naguib Mahfouz mines the riches of his homeland’s ancient past in Rhadopis of Nubia, an unforgettable love story set against the high politics of Egypt’s Sixth Dynasty.
While the ravishing courtesan Rhadopis is bathing, a falcon lifts one of her golden sandals and drops it into the lap of the Pharaoh Merenra II. Upon hearing Rhadopis described as “beauty itself,” the young pharaoh decides to return Rhadopis’s sandal himself. When the two meet, they are immediately seized by a passion far stronger than their ability to resist. Thus begins a love affair that makes them the envy of Egyptian society. But blinded by their love and the extravagant attentions they lavish on each other, they ignore the growing resentment of the world around them in this extraordinary tale of star-crossed love.
her words, unable to believe their ears, then they burst into shouts of protest and complaint. She realized there was no point in talking to them and she stood up, a look of determination and resolve upon her face. “I am tired. Please allow me to rest.” And with a wave of her tender hand she turned her back on them and hurried out of the room. As she went up to her bedchamber, the heated protests of the men still ringing in her ears, she felt delighted at what she had done, and great relief
the Sixth Dynasty had been erected, Pharaoh’s father and forefathers. Those nearest to the front could see the pharaohs: Userkara, Teti I, Pepi I, Mohtemsawef I, and Pepi II. The clamor of voices filled the air, each one impossible to distinguish, like the waves on a raging ocean, leaving no trace except an awesome, all-encompassing uproar. Now and then, however, an especially powerful voice would stand out, crying: “Glory be to Sothis who has brought us glad tidings!” or “Glory be to the sacred
did they say?” The man looked down at the floor and said almost in a whisper, “The insolent villains violated one more exalted.” “I?” said the king in disbelief. The man fell back in silence and the color drained out of his face. Sofkhatep was unable to contain himself and cried out, “How can I believe my ears?” And Tahu stormed, “This is a madness that cannot be imagined.” Pharaoh laughed nervously and, with bitter rancor in his voice, said, “How did my people mention me, Tam? Speak, man. I
flame. He spoke with fury and rage. “We are surrounded before we can make a move.” “The palace, my lord, is an impregnable fortress and stalwart warriors defend it. The priests will be routed in defeat.” Pharaoh was frozen to the spot. The prime minister moved back and stood behind him, whereupon they looked out together in doleful silence at the throngs of people so vast their numbers could not be counted as they poured toward the palace like wild beasts, brandishing their weapons menacingly
indescribable panic in his eyes. “Rhadopis, raise my head, raise my head,” he cried. She took his head in her trembling hands and was about to sit him up when he emitted a fearful moan and his hand fell limply at his side. Thus ended the battle raging between life and death. She hurriedly laid his head back in its original position and let out an agonizing high-pitched scream, but it was short-lived and her voice cut off abruptly as if her lungs had been torn out, her tongue turned to stone, and
