received a merciless beating
would be overwhelmed with reproaches by his family, and jeered at
without pity by his neighbours. The time when the tax fell due, came
upon the nomes as a terrible crisis which affected the whole population.
For several days there was nothing to be heard but protestations,
threats, beating, cries of pain from the tax-payers, and piercing
lamentations from women and children. The performance over, calm was
re-established, and the good people, binding up their wounds, resumed
their round of daily life until the next tax-gathering.

The towns of this period presented nearly the same confined and
mysterious appearance as those of the present day.*

* I have had occasion to make "soundings" or excavations at
various points in very ancient towns and villages, at
Thebes, Abydos and Mataniyeh, and I give here a _resume_ of
my observations. Professor Petrie has brought to light and
regularly explored several cities of the XIIth and XVIIIth
dynasties, situated at the entrance to the Fayum. I have
borrowed many points in my description from the various
works which he has published on the subject, _Kahun, Gurob
and Hawara,_ 1890; and _Illahun, Kahun and Gurob_, 1891.

[Illustration: 103.jpg THE HOUSE OF A GREAT EGYPTIAN LORD]

Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a water-colour by Boussac, _Le
Tombeau d'Anna_ in the _Memoires de la Mission Francaise_.
The house was situated at Thebes, and belonged to the
XVIIIth dynasty. The remains of the houses brought to light
by Mariette at Abydos belong to the same type, and date back
to the XIIth dynasty. By means of these, Mariette was
enabled to reconstruct an ancient Egyptian house at the
Paris Exhibition of 1877. The picture of the tomb of Anna
reproduces in most respects, we may therefore assume, the
appearance of a nobleman's dwelling at all periods. At the
side of the main building we see two corn granaries with
conical roofs, and a great storehouse for provisions.

They were grouped around one or more temples, each of which was
surrounded by its own brick enclosing wall, with its enormous gateways:
the gods dwelt there in real castles, or, if this word appears too
ambitious, redouts, in which the population could take refuge in cases
of sudden attack, and where they could be in safety.

[Illustration: 104.jpg PLAN OF A PART OF THE ANCIENT TOWN OF KAHUN]