Author's Note
The protagonist and narrator, a prince of royal Egyptian blood and a priest instructed in the mysteries of Isis, who plots against Cleopatra.
Cleopatra
Narrator and protagonist, the royal Egyptian who recounts his story.
Book I: The Preparation of Harmachis
Introduced as the last descendant of the Pharaohs, being prepared for a sacred mission.
Of the Birth of Harmachis; The Prophecy of the Hathors; and the Slaying of the Innocent Child
Narrator and protagonist, born on the same day as Cleopatra, prophesied to be Pharaoh.
Of the Disobedience of Harmachis; Of the Slaying of the Lion; and of the Speech of the Old Wife, Atoua
The narrator and protagonist, now a young man of seventeen, who disobeys his father's command and slays a lion, demonstrating his strength and courage.
III: Of the Rebuke of Amenemhat; Of the Prayer of Harmachis; and of the Sign Given by the Holy Gods
Confesses his disobedience to Amenemhat, learns of his royal lineage and destiny, and prays for guidance on the pylon.
Of the Departure of Harmachis and of His Meeting with His Uncle Sepa, the High Priest of Annu El Ra; Of His Life at Annu, and of the Words of Sepa
The protagonist, son of Amenemhat, departs for Annu to be educated by his uncle Sepa.
V: Of the Return of Harmachis to Abouthis; Of the Celebration of the Mysteries; Of the Chant of Isis; and of the Warning of Amenemhat
Returns to Abouthis after five years, now a man full-grown and learned in wisdom; prepares for and undergoes initiation into the mysteries of Isis.
VI: Of the Initiation of Harmachis; Of His Visions; Of His Passing to the City That Is in the Place of Death; and of the Declarations of Isis, the Messenger
The initiate who undergoes the sacred rites, experiences visions of the past, and communes directly with Isis.
VII: Of the Awaking of Harmachis; Of the Ceremony of His Crowning as Pharaoh of the Upper and the Lower Land; and of the Offerings Made to Pharaoh
Awakens from initiation, is crowned Pharaoh of the Upper and Lower Land, and swears oaths to liberate Egypt.
Book II: The Fall of Harmachis
The protagonist and Egyptian prince whose plot to overthrow Cleopatra fails due to betrayal.
I: Of the Farewell of Amenemhat to Harmachis; Of the Coming of Harmachis to Alexandria; Of the Exhortation of Sepa; Of the Passing of Cleopatra Robed as Isis; and of the Overthrow of the Gladiator by Harmachis
The protagonist, secretly crowned Pharaoh, arrives in Alexandria to execute the plot against Cleopatra. He demonstrates his strength by defeating the Nubian gladiator and catches Cleopatra's attention.
Of the Coming of Charmion; and of the Wrath of Sepa
The royal heir and protagonist, observing Charmion and receiving her plan to enter Cleopatra's palace as an astrologer.
Of the Coming of Harmachis to the Palace; Of How He Drew Paulus Through the Gates; Of Cleopatra Sleeping; and of the Magic of Harmachis Which He Showed Her
Disguised as an astrologer, uses hypnosis to enter the palace and performs magic for Cleopatra.
Of the Ways of Charmion; and of the Crowning of Harmachis as the King of Love
Newly appointed Astrologer and Magician-in-Chief; secretly leading the Egyptian rebellion; inwardly furious at being crowned 'King of Love' as a jest.
Of the Coming of Cleopatra to the Chamber of Harmachis; Of the Throwing Forth of the Kerchief of Charmion; Of the Stars; and of the Gift by Cleopatra of Her Friendship to Her Servant Harmachis
Struggles with his conscience as he prepares to assassinate Cleopatra, feeling shame and sorrow when she offers him friendship.
Of the Words and Jealousy of Charmion; Of the Laughter of Harmachis; Of the Making Ready for the Deed of Blood; and of the Message of the Old Wife, Atoua
Struggles with his feelings for Cleopatra and his duty to kill her; participates in the final planning of the revolt.
VII: Of the Veiled Words of Charmion; Of the Passing of Harmachis Into the Presence of Cleopatra; and of the Overthrow of Harmachis
Sits alone with the dagger, resolves to kill Cleopatra, but is overcome by her seduction and drugged wine; his plot fails.
VIII: Of the Awaking of Harmachis; Of the Sight of Death; Of the Coming of Cleopatra; and of Her Comfortable Words
Awakens to find Paulus dead; is confronted by Cleopatra and agrees to her terms, sealing his shame with a kiss.
Of the Imprisonment of Harmachis; Of the Scorn of Charmion; Of the Setting Free of Harmachis; and of the Coming of Quintus Dellius
Imprisoned for eleven days, seduced by Cleopatra, freed but watched and shamed.
X: Of the Trouble of Cleopatra; Of Her Oath to Harmachis; and of the Telling by Harmachis to Cleopatra of the Secret of the Treasure That Lay Beneath the Mass of "Her"
Summoned by Cleopatra; reveals the secret of the pyramid treasure; leads the expedition to the tomb.
XI: Of the Tomb of the Divine Menkau-Ra; Of the Writing on the Breast of Menkau-Ra; Of the Drawing Forth of the Treasure; Of the Dweller in the Tomb; and of the Flight of Cleopatra and Harmachis from the Holy Place
Guides Cleopatra into the tomb, reads the ancient writings, and assists in unwrapping the mummy and retrieving the treasure.
XII: Of the Coming Back of Harmachis; Of the Greeting of Charmion; and of the Answer of Cleopatra to Quintus Dellius, the Ambassador of Antony the Triumvir
Returns from the pyramid with Cleopatra, hopes for marriage and to strengthen Egypt, but is publicly shamed by Cleopatra and mocked by the court.
XIII: Of the Reproach of Harmachis; Of the Struggle of Harmachis with the Guards; Of the Blow of Brennus; and of the Secret Speech of Cleopatra
Confronts Cleopatra about her broken vows and betrayal; fights and kills three guards before being struck down by Brennus; lies unconscious as Cleopatra speaks over him.
XIV: Of the Tender Care of Charmion; Of the Healing of Harmachis; Of the Sailing of the Fleet of Cleopatra for Cilicia; and of the Speech of Brennus to Harmachis
Recovering from his wound, he is nursed by Charmion and later forced to accompany Cleopatra's fleet to Cilicia as a guarded prisoner.
XV: Of the Feast of Cleopatra; Of the Melting of the Pearl; Of the Saying of Harmachis; and of Cleopatra’s Vow of Love
Forced to stand as a slave and call the hours; humiliated and betrayed, he overhears Cleopatra's plan to kill him and witnesses her vow to Antony.
XVI: Of the Plan of Charmion; Of the Confession of Charmion; and of the Answer of Harmachis
Sits in despair after Cleopatra's betrayal, weeps bitterly, and is torn by jealousy and shame. He accepts Charmion's escape plan but refuses her offer to accompany him, choosing instead to live with his own guilt.
Book III: The Vengeance of Harmachis
Now acting as the hermit Olympus, he orchestrates Cleopatra's ruin as vengeance.
I: Of the Escape of Harmachis from Tarsus; Of His Being Cast Forth as an Offering to the Gods of the Sea; Of His Sojourn in the Isle of Cyprus; Of His Return to Abouthis; and of the Death of Amenemhat
Escapes Tarsus, survives shipwreck, adopts alias Olympus, returns to Abouthis in disguise, and is confronted by his dying father.
II: Of the Last Misery of Harmachis; Of the Calling Down of the Holy Isis by the Word of Fear; Of the Promise of Isis; Of the Coming of Atoua, and of the Words of Atoua
In deepest misery after his father's death, he prays to Isis and receives a vision of judgment and promise.
III: Of the Life of Him Who Was Named the Learned Olympus, in the Tomb of the Harpers That Is by Tápé; Of His Counsel to Cleopatra; Of the Message of Charmion; and of the Passing of Olympus Down to Alexandria
Living as the hermit Olympus in the tomb of the Harpers, he counsels Cleopatra to her ruin, experiences visions of Actium, and eventually departs for Alexandria.
IV: Of the Meeting of Charmion with the Learned Olympus; Of Her Speech with Him; Of the Coming of Olympus Into the Presence of Cleopatra; and of the Commands of Cleopatra
Disguised as the aged hermit Olympus, he reflects on his transformation and prepares to fulfill his role as an instrument of fate against Cleopatra.
Of the Drawing Forth of Antony from the Timonium Back to Cleopatra; Of the Feast Made by Cleopatra; and of the Manner of the Death of Eudosius the Steward
Disguised as Olympus the physician, he accompanies Charmion to retrieve Antony and later prepares the poison for Cleopatra's test.
VI: Of the Workings of the Learned Olympus at Memphis; Of the Poisonings of Cleopatra; Of the Speech of Antony to His Captains; and of the Passing of Isis from the Land of Khem
Narrates his continued work of vengeance, using his disguise as Olympus to counsel Antony and Cleopatra toward ruin, and to undermine Egyptian loyalty.
Of the Surrender of the Troops and Fleet of Antony Before the Canopic Gate; Of the End of Antony, and of the Brewing of the Draught of Death
As Olympus, he brews the poison for Cleopatra, attends Antony's suicide, and helps carry him to the tomb.
VIII: Of the Last Supper of Cleopatra; Of the Song of Charmion; Of the Drinking of the Draught of Death; Of the Revealing of Harmachis; Of the Summoning of the Spirits by Harmachis; and of the Death of Cleopatra
Present as Olympus, reveals his identity, summons spirits, and achieves vengeance but feels no joy.
IX: Of the Farewell of Charmion; Of the Death of Charmion; Of the Death of the Old Wife, Atoua; Of the Coming of Harmachis to Abouthis; Of His Confession in the Hall of Six-and-Thirty Pillars; and of the Declaring of the Doom of Harmachis
Harmachis witnesses Charmion's suicide, then Atoua's death, and journeys to Abouthis to confess his sins before the priests, accepting his doom.
X: Of the Last Writing of Harmachis, the Royal Egyptian
The narrator, awaiting execution in the prison chamber, completing his confession and reflecting on his fate and love for Cleopatra.
Endnotes
The name Harmachis is glossed as the Grecian title of the divinity of the Sphinx.
