Themes & patterns

Book II: The Fall of Harmachis

Harmachis is betrayed by Paulus, a trusted captain, leading to the collapse of the Egyptian rebellion.

Of the Coming of Charmion; and of the Wrath of Sepa

Sepa's distrust of Charmion highlights the tension between personal loyalty and romantic attachment, as he fears her womanly nature may lead to betrayal.

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

Harmachis feels pity at Cleopatra's beauty, hinting at emotional conflict that may undermine his plot to kill her.

Of the Ways of Charmion; and of the Crowning of Harmachis as the King of Love

Charmion's unrequited love for Harmachis and her jealousy; Harmachis's internal conflict between his duty to the rebellion and his growing attraction to Cleopatra.

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

Cleopatra offers friendship to Harmachis while he secretly plots her murder, highlighting the theme of betrayal.

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

Harmachis's internal struggle between his love for Cleopatra and his duty to betray and kill her.

Author's Note

The author questions the 'malign influence' and 'secret hates' that doomed Antony and Cleopatra, suggesting a hidden destiny at work.

Of the Birth of Harmachis; The Prophecy of the Hathors; and the Slaying of the Innocent Child

The prophecy of the Hathors foretells Harmachis's destiny to become Pharaoh, but also warns of ruin if he fails.

Of the Disobedience of Harmachis; Of the Slaying of the Lion; and of the Speech of the Old Wife, Atoua

Atoua's prophecy declares Harmachis as the destined deliverer of Egypt, foretelling his role in overthrowing the Macedonian and Roman powers, contingent on his purity.

III: Of the Rebuke of Amenemhat; Of the Prayer of Harmachis; and of the Sign Given by the Holy Gods

Harmachis learns of his divine destiny to free Egypt, but his failure in a trial delays his mission, emphasizing the conditional nature of fate.

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

Harmachis is groomed for a prophesied role as deliverer of Egypt, with Sepa emphasizing his great destiny.

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

Amenemhat's warning about the heavy responsibilities of divine knowledge and the idea that those who enter the circle of divinity are judged by a sharper law reflect themes of fate and destiny.

Cleopatra

The narrative of fall and vengeance suggests themes of power dynamics and moral decay.

Of the Birth of Harmachis; The Prophecy of the Hathors; and the Slaying of the Innocent Child

Ptolemy Aulêtes, fearing the prophecy, orders the murder of an innocent child to secure his throne.

Of the Disobedience of Harmachis; Of the Slaying of the Lion; and of the Speech of the Old Wife, Atoua

Ptolemy Aulêtes' cruel mockery of the slain child and his fear of Amenti illustrate the corruption of power and the moral decay of the Ptolemaic court.

III: Of the Rebuke of Amenemhat; Of the Prayer of Harmachis; and of the Sign Given by the Holy Gods

The Ptolemaic rulers are depicted as corrupt usurpers who have defiled Egypt's temples and oppressed its people, setting the stage for rebellion.

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

Sepa describes Cleopatra's treacherous rise to power, the oppression of tax-gatherers, and the decay of Egypt under foreign rule.

Book II: The Fall of Harmachis

Cleopatra's rule and the corrupting influence of power are central to Harmachis's plot and its failure.

Author's Note

The author frames the plot as an Egyptian patriot's attempt to overthrow the Greek Ptolemaic dynasty and restore native rule.

Book I: The Preparation of Harmachis

Harmachis is raised to rebel against Greek rule and restore native Egyptian sovereignty.

Of the Disobedience of Harmachis; Of the Slaying of the Lion; and of the Speech of the Old Wife, Atoua

The prophecy and Harmachis's lion slaying symbolize the Egyptian resistance against foreign domination, with the lion representing Rome and the dead man representing the Ptolemy.

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

Harmachis is called to be the sword of Egypt's deliverance, swearing to cast out foreign idols and liberate the land.

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

Harmachis's plot to overthrow Cleopatra and free Egypt from foreign rule is driven by patriotic fervor and a desire to restore native Egyptian sovereignty.

Of the Coming of Charmion; and of the Wrath of Sepa

The Egyptian conspiracy against Cleopatra's Greek throne is the central plot, with Charmion and Harmachis acting as patriots seeking to restore native rule.

Author's Note

The narrator is a priest of Isis who believes in the gods of Khem and the mysteries of the Osirian Faith, which shape his worldview.

Book I: The Preparation of Harmachis

The chapter emphasizes the mysteries of Isis and the sacred training of Harmachis.

Of the Birth of Harmachis; The Prophecy of the Hathors; and the Slaying of the Innocent Child

The prophecy is delivered through the Hathors, and the narrative is steeped in Egyptian religious imagery and divine intervention.

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 chapter details Harmachis's initiation into the mysteries of the gods, including the worship of Apis and the secret knowledge of the temples.

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

The chapter centers on the initiation into the mysteries of Isis, the sacred chants, and the spiritual preparation of Harmachis, emphasizing the mystical union with the divine.

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 entire chapter is a mystical initiation, with Harmachis experiencing visions and a direct encounter with the goddess Isis, emphasizing the power of religious rites and divine communication.

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

Charmion's jealousy of Cleopatra and her bitter accusations against Harmachis drive the emotional conflict.

XV: Of the Feast of Cleopatra; Of the Melting of the Pearl; Of the Saying of Harmachis; and of Cleopatra’s Vow of Love

Harmachis's jealousy and desire for revenge are fueled by witnessing Cleopatra's affection for Antony and her betrayal of their own bond.

XVI: Of the Plan of Charmion; Of the Confession of Charmion; and of the Answer of Harmachis

Charmion's jealousy of Harmachis's love for Cleopatra drives her to betray the plot, and Harmachis's desire for vengeance is a recurring torment.

Book III: The Vengeance of Harmachis

Harmachis's personal vengeance against Cleopatra drives the chapter's plot.

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

Harmachis's counsel is motivated by vengeance for his father's death and his own betrayal, using his wisdom to destroy those who wronged him.

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

Charmion's jealousy of Cleopatra drives her to plot the Queen's ruin, and Harmachis, though outwardly calm, is consumed by the desire for vengeance against Cleopatra and Rome.

III: Of the Rebuke of Amenemhat; Of the Prayer of Harmachis; and of the Sign Given by the Holy Gods

Amenemhat rebukes Harmachis for succumbing to taunts, stressing that a true servant of the gods must rise above personal pride and weakness.

Of the Ways of Charmion; and of the Crowning of Harmachis as the King of Love

Harmachis's shame at being crowned 'King of Love' as a mockery, contrasting with his true destiny as Pharaoh.

VIII: Of the Awaking of Harmachis; Of the Sight of Death; Of the Coming of Cleopatra; and of Her Comfortable Words

Harmachis is consumed by shame over his betrayal and the loss of his honor as a priest and patriot, struggling with his conscience.

Of the Imprisonment of Harmachis; Of the Scorn of Charmion; Of the Setting Free of Harmachis; and of the Coming of Quintus Dellius

Harmachis feels deep shame for his fall and betrayal of his cause; Charmion's reproach underscores his loss of honor.

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"

Harmachis's oath and Cleopatra's sworn promise to defend Egypt and marry him; the shame of broken oaths looms.

XVI: Of the Plan of Charmion; Of the Confession of Charmion; and of the Answer of Harmachis

Harmachis is consumed by shame for breaking his oaths and losing his honor, while Charmion's confession is an attempt to reclaim some moral ground.

Cleopatra

The account foreshadows the decline of Ptolemaic Egypt and the end of an era.

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

The chapter depicts the collapse of Antony's cause and the impending fall of Egypt, as Harmachis reflects on the end of his ancient race and the rise of Roman power.

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

The chapter depicts the imminent collapse of Antony and Cleopatra's rule, with Egypt's loyalty crumbling and Caesar's forces closing in.

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

Cleopatra's death and Harmachis's confession mark the final collapse of Egyptian sovereignty.