Russell Roberts. Rulers of Ancient Egypt. San Diego: Lucent Books, 1999. 96 pp. $23.70, cloth, ISBN 978-1-56006-438-1.
Reviewed by Sue DAuria
Published on H-AfrTeach (June, 2000)
This book appears as one volume of the Lu‐ Akhenatens capital city; and other miscellaneous cent History Makers series, described as a "multi‐ records such as court or temple documents. Re‐ ple biography." Each volume consists of six to garding Tutankhamen, there is an almost total eight biographies of fgures who were linked to‐ lack of written historical evidence, even in the re‐ gether by a common factor; in this case, the fve mains of his splendid tomb furnishings. Among people presented were pharaohs of ancient Egypt. those covered in this book, only Cleopatra is well As stated in the foreword, each volume is intend‐ documented, from Roman sources. The existing ed to introduce a range of fgures, some better sources also give little evidence of these people as known than others, who varied in their impact on individuals, making the task of the biographer history. Both primary and secondary sources are that much more difcult. utilized. Five of the best known rulers of Egypt The book begins with an overview of the ge‐ are discussed in this book: Hatshepsut, Akhenat‐ ography, religion, funerary practices, and general en, Tutankhamen, Ramesses II, and Cleopatra. history of ancient Egypt. The modern rediscovery Writing biographies of ancient Egyptian of this ancient society is also discussed. rulers presents a special challenge due to the na‐ The frst ruler to be discussed is Hatshepsut, ture of the source material and the antiquity of the queen who had herself declared king. A wom‐ the society. The ancient Egyptians did not write an upon the throne, however, was not the un‐ history as we would defne it, and thus there is no precedented event that the author declares, as a body of texts or royal archive to consult for de‐ woman reigned at the end of Dynasty 12, and pos‐ tails of an individuals reign. One is dependent on sibly at the end of Dynasty 6. Mr. Roberts gives a texts left by the pharaohs themselves, sometimes good synopsis of her geneology, marriage, and ac‐ bombastic and propagandistic in nature, as in the cession to the throne. The discussion of the rela‐ case of Hatshepsut and Ramesses II; archaeologi‐ tionship between Hatshepsut and her coregent cal evidence, such as material from Amarna, Thutmose III is balanced and interesting, al‐ H-Net Reviews though there is much speculation here, such as is again plagued by small errors and omissions. the suggestion (by Evelyn Wells) that Hatshepsut Akhenaten, for example, may well have been the wore male clothing partly to ease her fathers grief father of Tutankhamen, but only Amenhotep III is at the death of his sons, or later (by the author) to listed as a possible candidate. Tutankhamen's reassure the people. Hatshepsuts many accom‐ tomb was not virtually intact, but had been en‐ plishments are cited, including her trade expedi‐ tered and robbed twice in antiquity. The notion tion to the land of Punt, and her building cam‐ that the queen had clung to the body so tightly as paigns at Karnak and Deir el-Bahri. It should be to leave ashes upon the shroud makes for a good noted that the details of the Punt Expedition are story, but there is no evidence to support this. recorded on the walls of her mortuary temple, not Chapter V, covering the life of Ramesses II, in her tomb as stated. discusses his accession, the founding ot the new The next chapter focuses on Akhenaten, the capital at Pi-Ramesse, the famed battle of Kadesh so-called "heretic king" who declared the worship and its aftermath, and his monuments. The recon‐ of a single god and built a new capital city. The in‐ struction of the temples at Abu Simbel is noted, as troductory section lays out several possible views well as the recent discovery of tomb KV 5, the of this kingwas he a religious visionary, political family tomb in the Valley of the Kings. It is a good reformer, or weak and delusional ruler? The sub‐ blend of ancient events and modern investiga‐ ject of his father, Amenhotep III's rule is touched tions. upon, followed by discussion of Akhenaten's early The fnal chapter highlights Cleopatra, the last buildings at Karnak, changes in art style, the ruler of independent Egypt. Her rise to power, move to the new city, foreign afairs, and the end family relationships, her interactions with Caesar, of the reign. Unfortunately, this chapter furthers her trip to Rome, the years with Marc Antony, the many misconceptions about Akhenatens rule. fnal battles, and her suicide are covered in a Royal sons, for instance, were often not depicted good survey of the reign. on their fathers monuments, so Akhenatens ab‐ The book includes a general bibliography of sence in this arena is not as signifcant as is as‐ both print and internet sources. The notes, how‐ serted. To state that he remained behind during ever, had no page numbers, which would have religious ceremonies is pure conjecture. A core‐ been helpful to anyone attempting to locate a gency with his father is also presented as a cer‐ quoted passage. tainty, when in fact it is one of the most hotly de‐ bated issues of Egyptology. It also appears, from Though Rulers of Ancient Egypt has its dif‐ evidence found at Amarna, that though the wor‐ culties, the author is to be commended for his ef‐ ship of Amen was proscribed, other deities were forts to present a complicated subject in a com‐ at least tolerated. The problems in the chapter ex‐ prehensible and interesting manner for young tend to the illustrations. The temple pictured on people. page 41 is certainly not an Amarna structure, and Copyright (c) 2000 by H-Net, all rights re‐ Akhenaten is not praying with his family as im‐ served. This work may be copied for non-proft plied on page 43. educational use if proper credit is given to the au‐ The next chapter covers one of Akhenaten's thor and the list. For other permission, please con‐ successors, Tutankhamen. His accession, rein‐ tact [email protected]. statement of the worship of Amen, the move from Amarna, his death and successors, and the 1922 discovery of his tomb are discussed. This chapter
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Citation: Sue DAuria. Review of Roberts, Russell. Rulers of Ancient Egypt. H-AfrTeach, H-Net Reviews. June, 2000.
URL: https://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=4266
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