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After the conquest of the Fayum, the Libyans appear to have been the dominating people in Lower Egypt.
Their capital was at Sais, the seat of their goddess Neith. The attributes of this deity reflect the character of
the civilization of her worshippers. Her symbol was a shield and two arrows. She was depicted with green
hands and face, for she was an earth spirit who provided verdure for the flocks of a pastoral people. A
weaver's shuttle was tattooed upon her body, to indicate apparently that she imparted to women their skill at
the loom.
Mena conquered the Libyans in battle, and many thousands were slain, and he extended his kingdom to the
shores of the Mediterranean. Then he assumed, in presence of his assembled army, the red crown of Lower
Egypt. He appears also to have legitimatized the succession by taking for wife Neithhotep, "Neith rests", a
princess of the royal house of Sais.
So was the Horus tribe united with the Libyans who worshipped a goddess. In aftertime the triad of Sais was
composed of Osiris, Neith, and Horus. Neith was identified with Isis.
The race memory of the conquest of Lower Egypt is believed to be reflected in the mythical tale of Horus
overcoming Set. The turning-point in the campaignwas the Fayum conflict where the animal gods of Set
were slain. Petrie urges with much circumstantial detail the striking view that the expulsion of Set from Egypt
signifies the defeat of the military aristocracy of "Semites " by the Horus people, who, having espoused the
religion of Osiris, also espoused the cause of the tribe which introduced his worship into the land. It is
evident, from an inscription on a temple of southern Edfu, that many conquests were effected in the Delta
region ere the union was accomplished. One version of the great folk tale states that when Horus overcame
Set he handed him over to Isis bound in chains. She failed, however, to avenge her husband's death, and set
her oppressor at liberty again. In his great wrath Horus then tore the crown from her head. This may refer
particularly to the circumstances which led to the Libyan conquest. "We can hardly avoid", says Petrie,
"reading the history of the animosities of the gods as being the struggles of their worshippers."
The Libyans were ever a troublesome people to the Pharaohs, whose hold on the western district of the Delta
was never certain. Mena apparently endeavoured to break their power by taking captive no fewer than
120,000 prisoners. His spoils included also 100,000 oxen and 1,420,000 goats.
This displacement of so large a proportion of the inhabitants of the north was not without its effect in the
physical character of the Nile-valley peoples. The differences of blend between north and south were well
marked prior to the conquest. After the union of the two kingdoms the ruling classes of Upper Egypt
approximated closely to the Delta type. It is evident that the great
native civilization which flourished in the Nile valley for over forty centuries owed much to the virility and
genius of the Mediterranean race, which promoted culture where ver its people effected settlements. One is
struck, indeed) to note in this connection that the facial characteristics of not a few Pharaohs resemble those
of certain great leaders of men who have achieved distinction among the nations of Europe.
The culture of the Horite conquerors was evidently well adapted for the Nile valley. It developed there
rapidly during the three centuries which elapsed before the Delta was invaded, and assumed a purely
Egyptian character. Hieroglyphics were in use from the beginning, copper was worked by "the smiths", and
superior wheel-turned pottery made its appearance. But the greatest service rendered to ancient Egypt by the
Horites was the ultimate establishment of settled conditions over the entire land in the interests of individual
welfare and national progress.
CHAPTER III. Dawn of Civilization 34
EGYPTIAN MYTH AND LEGEND
The contribution of the north to Dynastic culture was not inconsiderable. In fact, it cannot really be
overestimated. The Delta civilization was already well developed prior to the conquest. There was in use
among the people a linear script which resembled closely the systems of Crete and the �gean and those also
that appeared later in Karia and Spain. Its early beginnings may be traced, perhaps, in those rude signs which
the pioneers of the Late Stone Age in western Europe scratched upon the French dolmens. Archaic PhSnician
letters show that the great sea traders in after time simplified the system and diffused it far and wide.' Our
alphabet is thus remotely North African in origin.
It was in the Delta also that the Calendar was invented by great mathematicians of the Late Stone Age, over
sixty centuries ago, who recognized that an artificial division of time was necessary for purposes of accurate
record and calculation. They began their year with the rising of the star Sirius (Sothos) at the height of the
Nile inundation. and it was divided into twelve months of thirty days each, five extra days being added for
religious festivals associated with agricultural rites. This Calendar was ultimately imported and adjusted by
the Romans, and it continues in use, with subsequent refinements, all over the world until the present day.
Under Mena's rule there are evidences of the progress which is ever fostered when ideas are freely exchanged
and a stimulating rivalry is promoted among the people. The inventive mind was busily at work. Pottery
improved in texture and construction, and was glazed in colours. Jewellery of great beauty was also [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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