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were evidently in demand among all classes for recreation in moments of leisure.
Meanwhile the administration of the united kingdom was thoroughly organized. Officials were numerous and
their duties were strictly defined. Various strategic centres were garrisoned so as to prevent outbreaks and to
secure protection for every industrious and law-abiding citizen. Memphis became an important city.
According to tradition it was built by Mena, but the local theological system suggests that it existed prior to
his day. It is probable that he erected buildings there, including a fortification, and made it a centre of
administration for the northern part of his kingdom.
When Mena died he was buried at Abydos, and he was succeeded by his son Aha, "the fighter". Underthe
new monarch a vigorous military campaign was conducted in the south, and another province was placed
under the sway of the central government. The peaceful condition of the north is emphasized by his recorded
visit to Sais, where he made offerings at the shrine of Neith, the goddess of his mother's people.
Meanwhile the natural resources of the Nile valley were systematically developed. Irrigation works were
undertaken everywhere, jungle was cleared away, and large tracts of land were reclaimed by industrious
toilers. These activities were promoted and controlled by royal officials. King Den, a wise and progressive
monarch, inaugurated the great scheme of clearing and draining the Fayum, which was to become in after
time a fertile and populous province. The surveyors set to work and planned the construction of a canal, and
the scheme was developed and continued by the monarchs who followed. It was as shrewdly recognized in
the time of the First Dynasty as it is in our own day, that the progress and welfare of the Nile-valley people
must ever depend upon the development of the agricultural resources of the country. The wealth of Egypt is
drawn from the soil. All the glory and achievements of the Dynasties were made possible by the systems of
government which afforded facilities and protection for the men who "cast their bread upon the waters" so
that abundant return might be secured "after many days". When we are afforded, therefore, a glimpse of daily
life on the land, as is given in the ancient and treasured folk tale which follows, we are brought into closer
touch with the people who toiled in contentment many thousands of years ago in the land of Egypt than is
possible when we contemplate
with wonder their exquisite works of art or great architectural triumphs. The spirit which pervaded the ancient
peasantry of the Nile valley is reflected in the faithful and gentle service and the winning qualities of poor
Bata, the younger brother. It gives us pause to reflect that the story of his injured honour and tragic fate
moved to tears those high-born dames whose swaddled mummies now lie in our museums to be stared at by
CHAPTER III. Dawn of Civilization 35
EGYPTIAN MYTH AND LEGEND
holidaymakers who wonder how they lived and what scenes surrounded their daily lives.
CHAPTER IV. The Peasant who became King
The Two Brothers Peasant Life The Temptress Wrath of Anpu Attempt to slay his Brother Flight of
Bata Elder Brother undeceived Kills his Wife Bata hides his Soul His Wife Sought by the King Bata's
Soul Blossom destroyed Wife becomes a Queen Recovery of Lost Soul Bata as a Bull Slaughtered for the
Queen Bata a Tree Bata reborn as Son of his Wife The King who slew his Wife mother Belief in
Transmigration of Souls.
THERE were once two brothers, and they were sons of the same father and of the same mother. Anpu was
the name of the elder, and the younger was called Bata. Now Anpu had a house of his own, and he had a
wife. His brother lived with him as if he were his son, and made garments for him. It was Bata who drove the
oxen to the field, it was he who ploughed the land, and it was he who harvested the grain. He laboured
continually upon his brother's farm, and his equal was not to be found in the land of Egypt; he was imbued
with the spirit of a god.
In this manner the brothers lived together, and many days went past. Each morning the younger brother went
forth with the oxen, and when evening came on he drove them again to the byre, carrying upon his back a
heavy burden of fodder which he gave to the animals to eat, and he brought with him also milk and herbs for
Anpu and his wife. While these two ate and drank together in the house, Bata rested in the byre with the cattle
and he slept beside them.When day dawned, and the land grew bright again, the younger brother was first to
rise up, and he baked bread for Anpu and carried his own portion to the field and ate it there. As he followed
the oxen he heard and he understood their speech. They would say: "Yonder is sweet herbage", and he would
drive them to the place of their choice, whereat they were well pleased. They were indeed noble animals, and
they increased greatly.
The time of ploughing came on, and Anpu spake unto Bata, saying: "Now get ready the team of oxen, for the
Nile flood is past and the land may be broken up. We shall begin to plough on the morrow; so carry seed to
the field that we may sow it."
As Anpu desired, so did Bata do. When the next day dawned, and the land grew bright, the two brothers
laboured in the field together, and they were well pleased with the work which they accomplished. Several
days went past in this manner, and it chanced that on an afternoon the seed was finished ere they had
completed their day's task.
Anpu thereupon spake to his younger brother saying: "Hasten to the granary and procure more seed."
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