places; the fear of
his Majesty spread even to the Nomads of Asia, and all hearts trembled
before him." Pionkhi drove back the enemy behind their walls, pitched
his tent to the south-west of the city, threw up earth-works, and
built terraces so as to place his bowmen and sling-ers on a level
with the battlements of its towers. At the end of three days, Namroti,
finding himself hard pressed on every side, resolved to surrender. He
sent envoys to Pionkhi laden with rich presents, and despatched Queen
Nsitentmahit after them, to beg for mercy from the women who had
accompanied the Ethiopian, his wives, concubines, daughters, or royal
sisters. Their entreaties were graciously received, and Namroti ventured
to come in person, leading a horse with his right hand and shaking in
his left a sistrum of gold and lapis-lazuli; he knelt down and presented
with his salutations the long train of gifts which had gone before him.
Pionkhi visited the temple of Thoth, and there, amidst the acclamations
of soldiers and priests, offered up the customary sacrifices.

[Illustration: 267.jpg RUINS OF THE TEMPLE OF THOTH, AT HERMOPOLIS THE
GREAT]

Drawn by Boudier, from an engraving in Vivant Denon. The
portico was destroyed about 1820 by the engineers who
constructed the sugar refinery at Rodah, and now only a few
shapeless fragments of it remain.

He then made his way to the palace and inspected its courts, chambers,
treasury, and storehouses, and reviewed the whole household, including
even Namroti's own wives and daughters, though "he turned not his face
towards any one of them." He next went on to the stud-farms, and was
indignant to find that the horses had suffered from hunger during the
siege. Thoroughbreds were probably somewhat scarce at Napata, and he
had, no doubt, reckoned on obtaining new blood and a complete relay
of chargers from the Egyptian stables; his chances of doing so seemed
likely to vanish if brood mares and stallions had everywhere been
debilitated by the hardships of war. He reserved a part of the booty for
himself, handed over the balance to the priests of Amon at Karnak, and
also, before he left, received tribute from Heracleopolis. Pefzaabastit
brought him horses, the pick of his stables, slaves laden with gold
and silver and precious stones; then burying his face in the dust,
he offered worship to his liberator: "Hell had swallowed me up, I was
plunged into darkness, and lo, now a light has