#1 Character:
I am Pharaoh, supreme ruler over the land of ancient Egypt. I have inherited the kingdom of Egypt from my father and his father before him. As supreme ruler I am also god over this land, therefore the sun does not set nor does it rise without me. My civilization depends upon my power and the blessings of the gods to protect us in all we do. Under my rule Egypt will experience its most abundant and profitable years ever.
Throughout history no other pharaoh has ever been blessed with as much good fortune as myself. I am handsome, healthy, wise and intelligent, which makes me the best ruler ever. I have been preparing for this role my entire life. I only have one chance to do this right and I am going to take advantage of everything within my reach to make sure it turns out the best. I will accept nothing less.
I am Pharaoh, supreme ruler over the land of ancient Egypt. I have inherited the kingdom of Egypt from my father and his father before him. As supreme ruler I am also god over this land, therefore the sun does not set nor does it rise without me. My civilization depends upon my power and the blessings of the gods to protect us in all we do. Under my rule Egypt will experience its most abundant and profitable years ever.
Throughout history no other pharaoh has ever been blessed with as much good fortune as myself. I am handsome, healthy, wise and intelligent, which makes me the best ruler ever. I have been preparing for this role my entire life. I only have one chance to do this right and I am going to take advantage of everything within my reach to make sure it turns out the best. I will accept nothing less.
#2 Government:
The chief treasurer also calculated that we will need additional taxes to pay for the reinforcement of my tomb. There has been a sudden increase of tomb raids and I am not about to allow that to happen to me. I am going to ensure that my tomb will be the greatest, most luxurious, and safest burial grounds ever built. The next time I address my kingdom I will inform my subjects that it is their duty as loyal subjects to contribute towards the new costs. How else do they expect me to pass into the afterlife peacefully?
After speaking to my most trusted vizier, I have decided to pass a new and tougher ruling that will put an end to the all the tomb raiding nonsense. My vizier will first reward anyone who will come forward and identify the grave robbers. Then the grave robber(s) will be put to death during a special ceremony that all subjects will have to attend: attendance is mandatory! In addition, any and all family members will have to suffer the consequences of the crime. I think I will either cut their food ration or tax them heavily, maybe both.
#3 Mummification:
The day of my burial has been on my mind since as far back as I can remember. All my life I have tried to make sure that my heart is as light as a feather so that I can pass into the afterlife with no problem. Only by protecting my heart will I enjoy eternal life. That is why I am leaving specific instructions about the details of my mummification and burial. The tomb is being reinforced and will soon be ready for the scribes to decorate and record my life along its walls.
My father’s burial was amazing but I am not sure if I want to use the same people he used for his mummification process. I will need to interview the scribe, the cutter and the embalmer to see if they meet my specifications. I know that I want to use four separate Canopic jars to hold my main organs, they will be placed inside my tomb on my right side. The best cloth maker is almost done weaving my linen burial cloth and my coffin is ready to be gilded with gold. Everything looks like it’s going according to plan.
The day of my burial has been on my mind since as far back as I can remember. All my life I have tried to make sure that my heart is as light as a feather so that I can pass into the afterlife with no problem. Only by protecting my heart will I enjoy eternal life. That is why I am leaving specific instructions about the details of my mummification and burial. The tomb is being reinforced and will soon be ready for the scribes to decorate and record my life along its walls.
My father’s burial was amazing but I am not sure if I want to use the same people he used for his mummification process. I will need to interview the scribe, the cutter and the embalmer to see if they meet my specifications. I know that I want to use four separate Canopic jars to hold my main organs, they will be placed inside my tomb on my right side. The best cloth maker is almost done weaving my linen burial cloth and my coffin is ready to be gilded with gold. Everything looks like it’s going according to plan.
#4 Education:
Just the other day I thought about my first day at the Prince’s school, I can’t believe how time just flies. I remember how I struggled to memorize the different hieroglyphics and accidentally tearing the papyrus sheet. Which brings me to another important point. I toured the scribe school recently and I noticed that the number of boys attending has decreased. The kingdom needs to educate a reasonable amount of men in order for them to serve me properly. I need to figure out why this happening, the future of this kingdom depends on me.
When I visited the Prince’s school the scribes and priests in charge of teaching our bright young students were outstanding. I have done a great job appointing the best teachers in all the important subjects: reading, writing, history, math, etc. How else can I rule this kingdom if I don’t prepare the best now to serve me later. I also have to be careful to choose wise teachers because it is only a couple of years before my own two year old son will attend school.
Just the other day I thought about my first day at the Prince’s school, I can’t believe how time just flies. I remember how I struggled to memorize the different hieroglyphics and accidentally tearing the papyrus sheet. Which brings me to another important point. I toured the scribe school recently and I noticed that the number of boys attending has decreased. The kingdom needs to educate a reasonable amount of men in order for them to serve me properly. I need to figure out why this happening, the future of this kingdom depends on me.
When I visited the Prince’s school the scribes and priests in charge of teaching our bright young students were outstanding. I have done a great job appointing the best teachers in all the important subjects: reading, writing, history, math, etc. How else can I rule this kingdom if I don’t prepare the best now to serve me later. I also have to be careful to choose wise teachers because it is only a couple of years before my own two year old son will attend school.
#5 Religion:
It will require the work of thousands of slaves and tons of material to complete the new temple I plan to dedicate to our goddess of motherhood, Hathor. It was after my dream that I knew I had to begin the construction of this temple. Hathor came to me and showed me exactly where to put this holy place and I must immediately honor our great goddess. It is because of Hathor that I am blessed to have my son, the next greatest pharaoh. Today, I met with the overseer this afternoon and I made adjustments to the design and corrections to the position of where the temple will be located on the sacred land.
The next few days will be very busy since I will summon the high priest in order to go over details of the rituals and proper ceremonies that must be performed before, during and after construction of the temple. I would not want to anger Hathor if I don’t make the correct offerings and dedications to her. Construction of the temple should begin on the first day of the festival we celebrate in honor of Hathor, but I’m sure if this is appropriate yet. I will also need to bring along the constructions plans for the high priest to check. He will need to mark the temple enclosure and measure the building dimensions.
It will require the work of thousands of slaves and tons of material to complete the new temple I plan to dedicate to our goddess of motherhood, Hathor. It was after my dream that I knew I had to begin the construction of this temple. Hathor came to me and showed me exactly where to put this holy place and I must immediately honor our great goddess. It is because of Hathor that I am blessed to have my son, the next greatest pharaoh. Today, I met with the overseer this afternoon and I made adjustments to the design and corrections to the position of where the temple will be located on the sacred land.
The next few days will be very busy since I will summon the high priest in order to go over details of the rituals and proper ceremonies that must be performed before, during and after construction of the temple. I would not want to anger Hathor if I don’t make the correct offerings and dedications to her. Construction of the temple should begin on the first day of the festival we celebrate in honor of Hathor, but I’m sure if this is appropriate yet. I will also need to bring along the constructions plans for the high priest to check. He will need to mark the temple enclosure and measure the building dimensions.
#6 Food/Resources:
Thank the gods that this year the crops and livestock have been abundant. I calculate that my kingdom will be have enough food stored to last until the next harvest. Blessed be the great Nile because without it this would not be possible. I think this calls for a special celebration! I will throw a party in honor of the harvest and the Nile River as thanksgiving for all these blessings. All the priests will come and perform rituals as offerings to the gods while the banquet halls are prepared to hold a feast.
However, I will consult with the overseer after the party to make sure that he tours the farms in order to check if any repairs need to be made to irrigation canals. The farmers can’t do their jobs if the equipment is not in functioning order. He will need to report back to me as soon as possible so that we can make adjustments in a timely manner. One more thing to remember: the scribes must record this year as the most successful of our kingdom’s history because of me, the greatest of all Pharaohs.
Thank the gods that this year the crops and livestock have been abundant. I calculate that my kingdom will be have enough food stored to last until the next harvest. Blessed be the great Nile because without it this would not be possible. I think this calls for a special celebration! I will throw a party in honor of the harvest and the Nile River as thanksgiving for all these blessings. All the priests will come and perform rituals as offerings to the gods while the banquet halls are prepared to hold a feast.
However, I will consult with the overseer after the party to make sure that he tours the farms in order to check if any repairs need to be made to irrigation canals. The farmers can’t do their jobs if the equipment is not in functioning order. He will need to report back to me as soon as possible so that we can make adjustments in a timely manner. One more thing to remember: the scribes must record this year as the most successful of our kingdom’s history because of me, the greatest of all Pharaohs.