[203] M. Troplong.
[204] Probably superintendents is meant.
[205] Champollion-Figeac.
[206] Diodorus.
[207] The ritual of the dead puts the following beautiful words into the mouth of the deceased, when he justifies himself before the tribunal of Osiris: "I have spoken ill neither of the king nor my own father."
[208] Diodorus.
[209] Decree of 196 B.C., found on the Rosetta Stone.
[210] Diodorus.
[211] It could also be explained as the effect of a reaction which often accompanies a change of dynasty. M. F. Lenormant regards this judgment of kings as a mere fable. "The king when dead," says he, "was as much of a god as when living." Doubtless, but the Cæsars were also during their lives raised to the rank of divinities, which did not prevent the Romans from killing several. We see no difficulty in admitting the explicit testimony of Diodorus, corroborated by the opinion of Champollion the Younger as well as his brother.
[212] Bossuet, Histoire univ., ii. 177. The Israelites probably borrowed this custom from the Egyptians.