6. AKHNATON’S FRIENDS.
The simple and homely manner in which Akhnaton is represented by his artists, surrounded by his children, is an indication that although he demanded much homage from his subjects in his capacity as their Pharaoh, he but asked for their sympathy and affection in all other connections. As Pharaoh his person was inapproachable and his attitude aloof, but as a man he never failed to set an example of what he considered a man should do; and even upon his throne, to which one might but advance with bowed head and bended knee, he displayed his mortal nature to all beholders by joking with his children or paying fond attention to his wife. So, also, many of his disciples and courtiers, who so ceremoniously approached the steps of his throne, were in reality his good friends and intimates. Akhnaton did not care a snap of the fingers for aristocratic traditions, and although he demanded the conventional respect of his subjects, and upheld the less tiresome rules of court etiquette, many of his closest friends were of peasant origin, and the hands which now held the jewelled ostrich-plume standards could as easily grasp the pick or the plough.
May, a high official of the city, speaks of himself in the following words: “I was a man of low origin both on my father’s and on my mother’s side, but the King established me.... He caused me to grow ... by his bounty when I was a man of no property; ... he gave me food and provisions every day, I who had been one that begged bread.” Huya, Queen Tiy’s steward, speaks of the king as selecting his officials from the ranks of the yeomen. Panehesy tells us that Akhnaton is one “who maketh princes and formeth the humble,” and he adds: “When I knew not the companionship of princes I was made an intimate of the King.” But if the Pharaoh raised men from the ranks, he was also capable of degrading those who offended against the standards which he had set up. Thus May seems to have been disgraced and turned out of the city.
The tomb of the police official, Mahu, who was a favourite of the king, though probably not of exalted origin, has provided us with some scenes relating to his official work which are of considerable interest. In one series of these we are shown the capture of some foreigners, or perhaps Beduin, who may have belonged to some gang of thieves or anarchists. Mahu has been awakened in the early hours of a winter morning by the news of the disturbance, and as he listens to the report a servant blows a small fire into flame, since the morning air is chilly. He then sends for his chariot and drives to the scene of the crime, whatever it may be; and soon he has effected the arrest of some of the culprits. These men are then conveyed to the Vizir, who, with his staff, receives Mahu with exclamations of approval. “Examine these men, O Princes,” says the police officer, “whom the foreigners have instigated.” From these words it might seem that the prisoners were foreign spies, or even assassins plotting against the life of the Pharaoh.
Whether from fear of a revolt in Egypt or from mere custom, the City of the Horizon was closely defended at this time, and there is a scene in this same tomb in which Akhnaton is shown inspecting the fortifications. He drives in his chariot with his wife and his eldest daughter Merytaton; and although the spirited horses would appear to be difficult to manage, the more so because the mischievous Merytaton is poking them with a stick, Akhnaton is a sufficiently good driver to be able to carry on a conversation with the queen, and to address a few words to Mahu, who runs by the side of the chariot. In striking contrast to the custom of other Pharaohs, Akhnaton is accompanied by an unarmed bodyguard of police as he drives round the defences; and in this we may perhaps see an indication of his popularity. The fortifications, it may be noted, consist of blockhouses built at regular intervals, and defended by wire or rope entanglements.
In several of the tombs there are representations of their owners receiving rewards from the king for their diligence in their official works, or for their intelligent acceptance of his teaching. A high official named Pentu has left us a scene in which Akhnaton is shown seated in the hall of his palace, while Pentu stands before him to receive numerous golden collars at the royal hands in recognition of his services. A part of the palace is shown, but the scene is much damaged: a small pond or tank surrounded by flowers is shown in one corner of the enclosure, but the plan of the various rooms is confused, and is quite subsidiary to the representation of the hall where the Pharaoh receives the happy Pentu. Akhnaton seems to have been a good friend, as he was a stern enemy; and those who assisted him in the difficult tasks which he had set himself were lavishly rewarded for their pains.