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Ramsès #4
Ramses: The Lady of Abul Simbel
The fourth in a series of five novels chronicling the life of Egypt's greatest pharoah, Ramses II. Ramses decides to offer Nefertati the gift of two temples at Abu Simbel as a symbol of their eternal love. Meanwhile, Moses has returned to Egypt to demand the exodus of the enslaved Hebrews.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
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2020 people want to read
About the author
Christian Jacq
221 books937 followersAlso writes under the names Célestin Valois, J.B. Livingstone, and Christopher Carter.
Christian Jacq is a French author and Egyptologist. He has written several novels about ancient Egypt, notably a five book suite about pharaoh Ramses II, a character whom Jacq admires greatly.
Jacq's interest in Egyptology began when he was thirteen, and read History of Ancient Egyptian Civilization by Jacques Pirenne. This inspired him to write his first novel. He first visited Egypt when he was seventeen, went on to study Egyptology and archaeology at the Sorbonne, and is now one of the world's leading Egyptologists.
By the time he was eighteen, he had written eight books. His first commercially successful book was Champollion the Egyptian, published in 1987. As of 2004 he has written over fifty books, including several non-fiction books on the subject of Egyptology.
He and his wife later founded the Ramses Institute, which is dedicated to creating a photographic description of Egypt for the preservation of endangered archaeological sites.
Between 1995-1997, he published his best selling five book suite Ramsès, which is today published in over twenty-five countries. Each volume encompasses one aspect of Ramesses' known historical life, woven into a fictional tapestry of the ancient world for an epic tale of love, life and deceit.
Jacq's series describes a vision of the life of the pharaoh: he has two vile power-hungry siblings, Shanaar, his decadent older brother, and Dolora, his corrupted older sister who married his teacher. In his marital life, he first has Isetnofret (Iset) as a mistress (second Great Wife), meets his true love Nefertari (first Great Wife) and after their death, gets married to Maetnefrure in his old age. Jacq gives Ramesses only three biological children: Kha'emweset, Meritamen (she being the only child of Nefertari, the two others being from Iset) and Merneptah. The other "children" are only young officials trained for government and who are nicknamed "sons of the pharaoh".
Christian Jacq is a French author and Egyptologist. He has written several novels about ancient Egypt, notably a five book suite about pharaoh Ramses II, a character whom Jacq admires greatly.
Jacq's interest in Egyptology began when he was thirteen, and read History of Ancient Egyptian Civilization by Jacques Pirenne. This inspired him to write his first novel. He first visited Egypt when he was seventeen, went on to study Egyptology and archaeology at the Sorbonne, and is now one of the world's leading Egyptologists.
By the time he was eighteen, he had written eight books. His first commercially successful book was Champollion the Egyptian, published in 1987. As of 2004 he has written over fifty books, including several non-fiction books on the subject of Egyptology.
He and his wife later founded the Ramses Institute, which is dedicated to creating a photographic description of Egypt for the preservation of endangered archaeological sites.
Between 1995-1997, he published his best selling five book suite Ramsès, which is today published in over twenty-five countries. Each volume encompasses one aspect of Ramesses' known historical life, woven into a fictional tapestry of the ancient world for an epic tale of love, life and deceit.
Jacq's series describes a vision of the life of the pharaoh: he has two vile power-hungry siblings, Shanaar, his decadent older brother, and Dolora, his corrupted older sister who married his teacher. In his marital life, he first has Isetnofret (Iset) as a mistress (second Great Wife), meets his true love Nefertari (first Great Wife) and after their death, gets married to Maetnefrure in his old age. Jacq gives Ramesses only three biological children: Kha'emweset, Meritamen (she being the only child of Nefertari, the two others being from Iset) and Merneptah. The other "children" are only young officials trained for government and who are nicknamed "sons of the pharaoh".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
March 14, 2009
This is getting boring....if it weren't for the fact that there were only one left in the series, I would thorw in the towel. Ramses's story could have been told in one book. A longer book...but one. Nice to hear about the author's interpretation, but how many times to we have to hear that Nefertari was the most beautiful woman in the world, but not as pretty as Iset...and even though Iset was in love with Ramses she knew she could not be his royal wife......etc. Blah blah.
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April 22, 2012this series is interesting in many ways. they are not books i find very engrossing but they lead me to reflect on various matters.
one is culinary. often when i read i find i start to cook and eat in ways mentioned in the book. i particularly liked the honeyed spiced figs i made as my ramses tribute.
the author is described as a foremost egyptologist. he may well be; he is certainly a great lover of ancient egypt. these novels seem to tell of an ideal society, where all people are valued, justice is sought, and truth and virtue are rewarded. i am not sure this glamorised version is real.
one story thread i found very interesting was that of moses and the exodus of the hebrews. i know the old testament story well and it is interesting to read a different perspective. and i am not entirely convinced. i can accept the naturalistic explanation for the plagues. an understanding of egypt could well have assisted moses.
what lacks conviction within the context of the novel is ramses refusal to allow the hebrews to go. he speaks of them as totally free to as they choose. but he suggests a concern about their safety should they leave egypt. his concern is so strong he denies them their freedom.
another weak point, is the way the egytptians react to moses faith. they polytheists with an elaborated religious life. i find it hard to believe in the cool rational manner they are said to show to moses. i have seen too much of the clash of faiths to believe in jacq's presentation.
whay intersts me, is just what jacq's motives are for the style of the world he has created. does he really believe ancient egypt was like this, or is he deliberately creating an idealised world. the books strike me as suited to teenagers, who often enjoy reading about fantastic societies that help them develop their own ideas of what they want for their world. it may be this is jacq's purpose.
in any event, these books are ones i would recommend for teenage readers. they are not very convincing as history, but are fun as a story.
one is culinary. often when i read i find i start to cook and eat in ways mentioned in the book. i particularly liked the honeyed spiced figs i made as my ramses tribute.
the author is described as a foremost egyptologist. he may well be; he is certainly a great lover of ancient egypt. these novels seem to tell of an ideal society, where all people are valued, justice is sought, and truth and virtue are rewarded. i am not sure this glamorised version is real.
one story thread i found very interesting was that of moses and the exodus of the hebrews. i know the old testament story well and it is interesting to read a different perspective. and i am not entirely convinced. i can accept the naturalistic explanation for the plagues. an understanding of egypt could well have assisted moses.
what lacks conviction within the context of the novel is ramses refusal to allow the hebrews to go. he speaks of them as totally free to as they choose. but he suggests a concern about their safety should they leave egypt. his concern is so strong he denies them their freedom.
another weak point, is the way the egytptians react to moses faith. they polytheists with an elaborated religious life. i find it hard to believe in the cool rational manner they are said to show to moses. i have seen too much of the clash of faiths to believe in jacq's presentation.
whay intersts me, is just what jacq's motives are for the style of the world he has created. does he really believe ancient egypt was like this, or is he deliberately creating an idealised world. the books strike me as suited to teenagers, who often enjoy reading about fantastic societies that help them develop their own ideas of what they want for their world. it may be this is jacq's purpose.
in any event, these books are ones i would recommend for teenage readers. they are not very convincing as history, but are fun as a story.
December 10, 2021
Ho arrancato quasi fino alla fine, perché il libro per gran parte è stato noioso e ripetitivo, riprendendo sempre le stesse descrizioni e avvenimenti dei volumi precedenti. L'unica nota nuova di questo quarto capitolo della saga è il racconto dello sviluppo della religione ebraica fino all'esodo del popolo verso la Terra Promessa, una novità che però non mi ha presa minimamente e che ho anche trovato descritta in maniera un po' offensiva, dato che Mosè è stato messo completamente dalla parte dei "cattivi".
Un altro punto a sfavore è appunto il fatto che i personaggi siano quasi tutti o in bianco o in nero, con pochissime sfumature, il che li rende anche poco credibili, soprattutto man mano che la loro età avanza.
I capitoli finali mi hanno presa di più, ma inevitabilmente, considerato il resto, giudico questo volume il meno riuscito di tutti quelli letti finora.
Un altro punto a sfavore è appunto il fatto che i personaggi siano quasi tutti o in bianco o in nero, con pochissime sfumature, il che li rende anche poco credibili, soprattutto man mano che la loro età avanza.
I capitoli finali mi hanno presa di più, ma inevitabilmente, considerato il resto, giudico questo volume il meno riuscito di tutti quelli letti finora.
February 9, 2019
I am fascinated by ancient times and Egypt's ancient civilization is one of the most advanced, thus so interesting. Yet with each successive book in this series, I am less enthralled. Partly because I think the translation was pretty poor. Too much contemporary language and jargon utilized, but the other is it historical fiction, magical realism or even fantasy? The bones of the book rests squarely in the historical fiction category following Ramses the Great from about his 10th-15th years of his reign. But quite of few of the miracles described and attributed to Ramses & even his wife Nefertari & friend Setau seem to border on the fantasy. Throughout the series, he even is able to apparently "communicate" with animals, in particular his pet & fellow warrior, the Lion named Fighter.
This story continues to revolve around the conflict between Ramses & his brother Shanaar at the local level and his war & subsequent negotiations with the Hittites. It is also the time period when Moses returns to Egypt to lead the Hebrews out of the country. Jacq counters the miracles of the plagues brought down by God through Moses with scientific explanations including the parting of the Sea of Reeds. And of the course the title refers to the beginning of the building of the temples at Abu Simbel.
So enough history to keep me reading but some bad dialogue and eye-rolling moments to place it in the Ok category. I believe there is one more in this series. I'll need quite a bit of breathing space before going forward with it.
This story continues to revolve around the conflict between Ramses & his brother Shanaar at the local level and his war & subsequent negotiations with the Hittites. It is also the time period when Moses returns to Egypt to lead the Hebrews out of the country. Jacq counters the miracles of the plagues brought down by God through Moses with scientific explanations including the parting of the Sea of Reeds. And of the course the title refers to the beginning of the building of the temples at Abu Simbel.
So enough history to keep me reading but some bad dialogue and eye-rolling moments to place it in the Ok category. I believe there is one more in this series. I'll need quite a bit of breathing space before going forward with it.
January 2, 2018
Totally loved this! Another great one to the series, already onto the 5th and last one of the saga. I discovered a new passion for historical fiction with these books; historical fiction because I learned much more about ancient Egypt than I ever did and visiting a museum in Berlin about ancient Egypt only accentuated my passion for it!
October 22, 2020
আবারও, ক্রিশ্চিয়ান জাঁকের কল্পনার মিশরে আছি আমরা। ভাল লাগেনি মোজেসের কিংবদন্তী। বৈজ্ঞানিক ব্যাখ্যার চেষ্টাও জুতসই মনে হয়নি। মেলেনি এক্সোডাসের কিংবদন্তীর সঙ্গেও।
এই বইটা অবশ্য ভালই ঘটনাবহুল। হিট্টিদের সঙ্গে শান্তি স্থাপন করেছেন রামেসিস। নির্মাণ করেছেন আবু সিমবেলের মন্দির। নেফারতারি ইসেটকে রাজমহিষীর সহকারী হতে বলেছেন। সম্ভবত এই সূত্র ধরেই জাঁক দেখাবেন, নেফারতারির অবর্তমানে রাজমহিষী হয়েছেন ইসেট। বইয়ের মাঝামাঝি জায়গায় রামেসিসের পনেরতম বছরের কথা বলা হয়েছে। ইসেট রাজমহিষী হয়েছেন (বাস্তবে) ২৪তম বছরে। সময়কালটা একটু দ্রুতই টেনে দিয়েছেন এখানে লেখক। স্বাভাবিক, কিছুটা শান্তি এসেছে মিশরে।
হিট্টি সমস্যার পাশাপাশি ওফির এবং শানারের সমস্যাও সমাধান হয়েছে। দ্বিতীয় বই থেকে চলে আসা বেশ কিছু চরিত্র পরিণতি পেয়েছে এই বইতে।
অনুবাদ আগের তিনটার চেয়ে একটু অপরিণত। বাক্যের গঠণ, শব্দচয়ন, বাহুল্যের পাশাপাশি ভুল করে যখন/যদি-এর মতো শব্দ একই বাক্যে, একই জিনিসের দিকে ইঙ্গিত করে একাধিকবার ব্যবহার মাঝে মাঝে থমকে দিয়েছে পড়ার গতি। অনুবাদকের আর কোনো অনুবাদ পড়িনি। তবে, পরবর্তীতে উন্নতি হয়েছে, এটুকু মনে করি। শুরু হিসেবে বলতে হবে, মন্দ না।
সবমিলে এই হলো দ্য লেডি অব আবু সিমবেল - নেফারতারি। আমার বেশ পছন্দের রাণিদের শীর্ষস্থানীয় একজন। তবে রামেসিসের দিক থেকে যদি দেখি, ইসেটকে আমার বঞ্চিত মনে হয়। যুগে যুগে প্রায় সব ছেলেরাই প্রেম করতে চেয়েছে ইসেটের সঙ্গে, বিয়ে করতে চেয়েছে নেফারতারিকে। সমস্যা হলো, ইতিহাস ইসেটদের সেভাবে মনে রাখে না।দুঃখজনক, কিন্তু অনস্বীকার্য বাস্তব।
এই বইটা অবশ্য ভালই ঘটনাবহুল। হিট্টিদের সঙ্গে শান্তি স্থাপন করেছেন রামেসিস। নির্মাণ করেছেন আবু সিমবেলের মন্দির। নেফারতারি ইসেটকে রাজমহিষীর সহকারী হতে বলেছেন। সম্ভবত এই সূত্র ধরেই জাঁক দেখাবেন, নেফারতারির অবর্তমানে রাজমহিষী হয়েছেন ইসেট। বইয়ের মাঝামাঝি জায়গায় রামেসিসের পনেরতম বছরের কথা বলা হয়েছে। ইসেট রাজমহিষী হয়েছেন (বাস্তবে) ২৪তম বছরে। সময়কালটা একটু দ্রুতই টেনে দিয়েছেন এখানে লেখক। স্বাভাবিক, কিছুটা শান্তি এসেছে মিশরে।
হিট্টি সমস্যার পাশাপাশি ওফির এবং শানারের সমস্যাও সমাধান হয়েছে। দ্বিতীয় বই থেকে চলে আসা বেশ কিছু চরিত্র পরিণতি পেয়েছে এই বইতে।
অনুবাদ আগের তিনটার চেয়ে একটু অপরিণত। বাক্যের গঠণ, শব্দচয়ন, বাহুল্যের পাশাপাশি ভুল করে যখন/যদি-এর মতো শব্দ একই বাক্যে, একই জিনিসের দিকে ইঙ্গিত করে একাধিকবার ব্যবহার মাঝে মাঝে থমকে দিয়েছে পড়ার গতি। অনুবাদকের আর কোনো অনুবাদ পড়িনি। তবে, পরবর্তীতে উন্নতি হয়েছে, এটুকু মনে করি। শুরু হিসেবে বলতে হবে, মন্দ না।
সবমিলে এই হলো দ্য লেডি অব আবু সিমবেল - নেফারতারি। আমার বেশ পছন্দের রাণিদের শীর্ষস্থানীয় একজন। তবে রামেসিসের দিক থেকে যদি দেখি, ইসেটকে আমার বঞ্চিত মনে হয়। যুগে যুগে প্রায় সব ছেলেরাই প্রেম করতে চেয়েছে ইসেটের সঙ্গে, বিয়ে করতে চেয়েছে নেফারতারিকে। সমস্যা হলো, ইতিহাস ইসেটদের সেভাবে মনে রাখে না।দুঃখজনক, কিন্তু অনস্বীকার্য বাস্তব।
September 5, 2018
Nel romanzo viene lasciato molto spazio alle diatribe ereditarie degli Ittiti e finalmente viene approfondito maggiormente il personaggio di Asha che, in quanto diplomatico, è colui che si occupa dei rapporti con questo popolo bellicoso. Anche i progetti di Mosè di lasciare l'Egitto hanno grande importanza in questo quarto volume, anche se devo ammettere che il suo personaggio qui è presentato in modo abbastanza diverso da come viene classicamente dipinto: in realtà sembra un invasato abbastanza ottuso e disposto a tutto per eseguire la volontà di Yaveh.
July 20, 2020
This book is a SCANDAL ...
can't describe how much i was diappointed in what i thought was a work based on years of researches ...ALAS
the prophet MOSES was disgraced in this ....cant's say no more. -_- it has began in the second book, going to the third. first i thought it was a coicidence (maybe someone with the same name) but nooooooo; it went too far from the truth.
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i'm not going to finish reading the fifth book of this saga ....I'M DONE.
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BELKADI FATIHA.
can't describe how much i was diappointed in what i thought was a work based on years of researches ...ALAS
the prophet MOSES was disgraced in this ....cant's say no more. -_- it has began in the second book, going to the third. first i thought it was a coicidence (maybe someone with the same name) but nooooooo; it went too far from the truth.
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i'm not going to finish reading the fifth book of this saga ....I'M DONE.
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BELKADI FATIHA.
May 11, 2015
I remember this book being better than it is, but then I did first read it over a decade ago. The characters are two-dimensional and the author likes to show off his Egyptian knowledge. The story of Moses is treated with contempt despite the magic of the Egyptians being rendered as truth. Disappointing.
August 9, 2021
Ler Christian Jacq é para mim literatura de conforto. Reencontrei a luta do bem contra o mal no Antigo Egipto, em que vence a luz, a humanidade, a razão e a ternura. É sempre bom, nos dias que passam.
September 14, 2017
最有趣的是，摩西成了一個狂人，舊約中的「神蹟」都被賈克詮釋成魔術與詛咒。這個微妙的故事新編，是否因此提高了我對本書的評價呢？ 天子得到了至高的權力，卻無法讓美人生命延續，這個主題中國的歷史小說似乎更精彩些……把一百多位孩子的記錄解釋成義子，以及對伊瑟等皇后之外女人的無視，應為作者自身愛情觀的展現，也頗耐人尋味。 亞俠滑頭的「活躍」，似乎仍是賈克發揮最好的地方。 頁344誤譯：「是攸關全球和平的重責大任」，應為「世界和平」較佳，當時有「地圓」的概念了嗎？
January 12, 2019
Das war ja mal ein unerwartet schnelles Ende.
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January 18, 2023di quando passavo i pomeriggi a studiare i geroglifici, leggere del "libro dei morti" e a fare la visita guidata virtuale delle tombe egiziane :')
May 1, 2025
Il modo in cui l’autore descrive il mondo egizio, in particolare la religione e la corte di Ramses, inevitabilmente catturano il lettore nella storia, tanto che sembra di vivere le avventure del Faraone.
É sempre un piacere ritornare nell’Antico Egizio.
É sempre un piacere ritornare nell’Antico Egizio.
March 18, 2014
O autor praticamente usa esse livro para amarrar os eventos resultantes do conflito entre egípsios e hititas, cujo clímax ocorrera no livro 3, A Batalha de Kadesh. O acerto de paz entre os países após a guerra levaria décadas para se consolidar, através de várias ações diplomáticas e a lenta morte de um imperador Hitita.
Na minha visão, ficaria mais interessante narrar os desdobramentos da batalha de Kadesh, no próprio livro que trata sobre esse evento. O fato de escrever outro livro somente para fechar o anterior e contar com tramas secundárias, sem força suficiente para carregar a história por contaprópria, acaba tornando a leitura enfadonha. Há alguns momentos brilhantes, mas não o suficiente para me estimular a ler volume seguinte. 2,5 estrelas.
Na minha visão, ficaria mais interessante narrar os desdobramentos da batalha de Kadesh, no próprio livro que trata sobre esse evento. O fato de escrever outro livro somente para fechar o anterior e contar com tramas secundárias, sem força suficiente para carregar a história por contaprópria, acaba tornando a leitura enfadonha. Há alguns momentos brilhantes, mas não o suficiente para me estimular a ler volume seguinte. 2,5 estrelas.
September 5, 2017
I was not as much of a fan of this book as I have been of the previous three. However, I think the strength of the series overall is how it relates the Egyptian ideology not by stating fact, but by entwining those beliefs into the actions of the characters.
Nerfertari is repeatedly hailed as the most beautiful, the most lovely, the most sweet. As if she were a goddess on earth. Which she absolutely was. For Egyptians.
Even as Second Wife, Iset is never truly jealous of Nefertari. Because Ma'at is the ultimate ruler, keeper of truth, balance, order, harmony, and justice, and to defy her by being selfish would cause unbalance. The law of Ma'at must be maintained.
For the same reason, Ramses is remarkably tolerant of a monotheistic religion among his country's ardent polytheism. As long as it, in return, is tolerant. When it is not, the Hebrews must be expelled in order to maintain harmony within the two kingdoms, despite any personal feelings of either Moses or Pharaoh.
As you read the story, this way of thinking sometimes seems over-exaggerated, or unrealistic. But that is simply because the reality of today differs from the reality that was Egypt. I tend to find their way of thinking perpetually fascinating.
Nerfertari is repeatedly hailed as the most beautiful, the most lovely, the most sweet. As if she were a goddess on earth. Which she absolutely was. For Egyptians.
Even as Second Wife, Iset is never truly jealous of Nefertari. Because Ma'at is the ultimate ruler, keeper of truth, balance, order, harmony, and justice, and to defy her by being selfish would cause unbalance. The law of Ma'at must be maintained.
For the same reason, Ramses is remarkably tolerant of a monotheistic religion among his country's ardent polytheism. As long as it, in return, is tolerant. When it is not, the Hebrews must be expelled in order to maintain harmony within the two kingdoms, despite any personal feelings of either Moses or Pharaoh.
As you read the story, this way of thinking sometimes seems over-exaggerated, or unrealistic. But that is simply because the reality of today differs from the reality that was Egypt. I tend to find their way of thinking perpetually fascinating.
September 14, 2014
This one gets a bonus star for the whole section on the plagues of Egypt. Way back when I attended a C of E primary school. In the five years I was there, I think we covered most of the Bible (in a format suitable for small children, of course). One of the most popular areas was the whole story of Moses and the Egyptians, and the plagues. The Egyptians trembled in fear before the wrath of God as He sent one plague after another. Jacq has gone something of a different route, and it was brilliant. I won't spoil it by laying it out here, but it was a completely different take on a familiar story—sheer genius.
The rest of the book is taken up with the ongoing situation with the Hittites and the internal conspiracies and attempts to remove Ramses from the throne. Ramses, meanwhile, is intent on building twin temples at Abu Simbel for Nefertari, who is suffering as she tries to deflect the attacks against her family. A few of the plotlines reach a conclusion, but there are still ongoing elements which (I presume) will continue into the next book.
The rest of the book is taken up with the ongoing situation with the Hittites and the internal conspiracies and attempts to remove Ramses from the throne. Ramses, meanwhile, is intent on building twin temples at Abu Simbel for Nefertari, who is suffering as she tries to deflect the attacks against her family. A few of the plotlines reach a conclusion, but there are still ongoing elements which (I presume) will continue into the next book.
November 8, 2017
Evet yine Hz.Musa hakkında yalan yanlış yazılan birçok şey olmasına rağmen maceralı bir kitap daha okumuş olduk.
Kitaptaki en güzel şey Mısır halkının siyaseten işleyişi... Sizlere verilen değer kötü insanlar olsada aydinlatiliyor, en küçük birşey bile ihmal edilmiyor, her şey kayıt altına alınmaya çalışılıyor ve en guzelide herkes doğru yoldan çıkmamak hele hele kimseye hakaret ve iftira atmadan guzelce yaşarsa hiçbir sorun olmadan yaşayabiliyor.
Kitaptaki en güzel şey Mısır halkının siyaseten işleyişi... Sizlere verilen değer kötü insanlar olsada aydinlatiliyor, en küçük birşey bile ihmal edilmiyor, her şey kayıt altına alınmaya çalışılıyor ve en guzelide herkes doğru yoldan çıkmamak hele hele kimseye hakaret ve iftira atmadan guzelce yaşarsa hiçbir sorun olmadan yaşayabiliyor.
July 31, 2025
16-oji "Garsiausios XX a. pabaigos knygos" serijos knyga.
Egiptologijos temos tęsinys. Tai ketvirtasis – priešpaskutinis – tomas iš garsiojo egiptologo Christiano Jacqo epopėjos apie didįjį XII a. pr. Kr. Egipto faraoną. Magiškos Egipto ir jo valdovų apsaugos - dviejų šventykų uolose Nubijoje statyba. Tai amžinos Ramzio ir jo didžiosios sutuoktinės Nefertarės meilės simbolis.
Egiptologijos temos tęsinys. Tai ketvirtasis – priešpaskutinis – tomas iš garsiojo egiptologo Christiano Jacqo epopėjos apie didįjį XII a. pr. Kr. Egipto faraoną. Magiškos Egipto ir jo valdovų apsaugos - dviejų šventykų uolose Nubijoje statyba. Tai amžinos Ramzio ir jo didžiosios sutuoktinės Nefertarės meilės simbolis.
November 10, 2013
By now I'm reading this series simply to finish what I started.
September 7, 2021
Intéressant de voir les 10 plaies d'Égypte vues de la perspective des égyptiens. Les explications pour les différentes malédictions correspondent à un reportage préparé par des égyptologues.
August 7, 2023
I’ve journeyed so far with all these characters now. Great series
November 20, 2021
Kirja on ehkä Ramseksen elämästä kertovan kirjasarjan tapahtumarikkain. Akha neuvottelee ja juonittelee heettiläisten valtakunnassa ja yrittää saada aikaan rauhaa Egyptin ja Hattin välille sotaisasta Urhi-Tesupista huolimatta. Ofir, velho ja vakooja, uhkaa edelleen kuningasperheen henkeä ja oikeutta paennut Khenar, kuninkaan veli, usuttaa nubialaisia heimoja nousemaan Ramsesta vastaan. Heprealaisten pariin palannut Mooses haluaa lähteä Egyptistä ja johdattaa heimonsa luvattuun maahan, mitä Ramses pitää hulluutena ja Moosesta uskonnollisena fanaatikkona. Tahtojen taistelu käydään näiden kahden välillä ja faaraon esikoispoika Kha joutuu hengenvaaraan. Mooseksen ennustamat vitsaukset jotka kohtaavat egyptiläisiä, selitetään kirjassa normaaleiksi luonnonilmiöiksi jotka kuuluivat egyptiläisten arkeen. Tämän vuoksi ne eivät faaraota hetkauta. Lopulta Ramses kyllästyy siihen että Mooses aiheuttaa levottomuuksia maassa ja uhkailee egyptiläisten henkeä ja käskee heprealaisten lähteä niin pitkälle kuin pippuri kasvaa. Serramanna, entinen merirosvo ja nykyinen turvallisuusjoukkojen päällikkö, haluaa kuitenkin saattaa Mooseksen oikeuden eteen ja Ramseksen poissaollessa lähtee ajamaan heprealaisia takaa. Nämä ehtivät kuitenkin ylittää Kaislameren kannasta pitkin laskuveden aikaan ja nousuveden tullessa egyptiläisten vaunut juuttuvat mutaan ja hiekkaan. Serramanna palaa pettyneenä takaisin pääkaupunkiin mutta Ramses on helpottunut ettei hänen tarvitse enää kohdata entistä ystäväänsä joka kulkee omaa polkuaan. Historialliset tosiseikat ja Raamatun kertomukset yhdistyvät kirjassa erittäin viihdyttävällä tavalla ja tuttua tarinaa seuraa henkeään pidätellen kuin parastakin jännitysnäytelmää. Ramses kokee myös suuria menetyksiä henkilökohtaisessa elämässään mutta ne sijoittuvat kirjan loppupuolelle. Sarjan viimeisessä osassa seurataankin sitten Ramseksen vanhuutta ja hänen seuraajiensa elämää. Ramseshan oli poikkeuksellisen pitkäikäinen faarao.
January 2, 2024
"La posta in gioco trascendeva la sua persona. Il Faraone non aveva il diritto di pensare alla propria tranquillità e alla famiglia, ma doveva scongiurare il male anche a costo della sua vita".
Anche questo quarto capitolo mischia storia e fantasia sulle sfide che Ramses, ormai all'apice del suo successo, si trova ad affrontare per difendere l'Egitto dalle minacce esterne (Ittiti) ed interne (traditori e ribelli vari)… senza trascurare la minaccia incarnata da un Mosè ormai preda dei deliri della fede nel dio unico.
Diversamente dai precedenti volumi, questa volta avremo degli interessanti spunti di riflessione sulla visione della magia, sulla figura di Mosè, sulle piaghe e la conseguente dinamica della fuga degli ebrei dall'Egitto (completamente diversa da quanto scritto nella Bibbia).
La trama, che pur molto romanzata è comunque fedele alla storia reale, si sviluppa su due piani paralleli: infatti, oltre che seguire le vicende politiche di Ramses, assisteremo anche alla bellissima storia d'amore tra Ramses e Nefertari.
Il libro, scritto su basi ed informazioni storiche fondate, è scorrevole, la storia è avvincente e coinvolgente: Christian Jacq è stato molto abile sia nel ricostruire l'ambientazione storica, che nel creare personaggi realistici e credibili.
[https://lastanzadiantonio.blogspot.co...]
Anche questo quarto capitolo mischia storia e fantasia sulle sfide che Ramses, ormai all'apice del suo successo, si trova ad affrontare per difendere l'Egitto dalle minacce esterne (Ittiti) ed interne (traditori e ribelli vari)… senza trascurare la minaccia incarnata da un Mosè ormai preda dei deliri della fede nel dio unico.
Diversamente dai precedenti volumi, questa volta avremo degli interessanti spunti di riflessione sulla visione della magia, sulla figura di Mosè, sulle piaghe e la conseguente dinamica della fuga degli ebrei dall'Egitto (completamente diversa da quanto scritto nella Bibbia).
La trama, che pur molto romanzata è comunque fedele alla storia reale, si sviluppa su due piani paralleli: infatti, oltre che seguire le vicende politiche di Ramses, assisteremo anche alla bellissima storia d'amore tra Ramses e Nefertari.
Il libro, scritto su basi ed informazioni storiche fondate, è scorrevole, la storia è avvincente e coinvolgente: Christian Jacq è stato molto abile sia nel ricostruire l'ambientazione storica, che nel creare personaggi realistici e credibili.
[https://lastanzadiantonio.blogspot.co...]
February 19, 2021
Abu-Simbel, o local escolhido por Ramsés o Grande para eternizar o Casal Real do Egito. O grande templo sendo dedicado ao próprio Ramsés, e aos deuses Rá, Ptá e Amom. Já o pequeno templo dedicado a Nefertari, sua Rainha, e à deusa Hator. No livro existe um grande cuidado da parte de Ramsés II na escolha do local, o que acaba por me entristecer já que mudaram o templo de lugar em 1968, por conta de uma barragem que causaria a inundação do local original. Sendo que hoje o templo de Abu-Simbel fica em um local artificial feito para abrigar tal templo, e não em Abu-Simbel. (O que em minha opinião, não é nada menos do que sacrilégio).
Mas eventos históricos recentes de lado, 'A Dama De Abu-Simbel' traz mais intrigas com os Hititas, mais plots contra a Família Real, e agora o Êxodo de Moises. O livro em si me fez, novamente, ficar mais interessada no Egito Antigo, e no que realmente aconteceu na época em relação ao povo hebreu. No livro, os hebreus não são escravos no Egito, eles vivem e trabalham lá, porém não como trabalho forçado. Fontes históricas aparentam concordar com tal narrativa, o que novamente me faz desejosa por um apêndice ou notas de rodapé o que facilitaria a pesquisa do leitor intrigado. Assim, o personagem de Moisés no livro é um tanto... irritante.
-- Sem absolutamente nenhuma ofensa para com os judeus, estou me referindo somente aos acontecimentos nesse livro de ficção --
Em toda realidade, Moisés representa aqui o pior das religiões monoteístas, o egoísmo e a intolerância, a incapacidade de aceitar qualquer coisa que não seja uma verdade absoluta de sua crença. Religiões politeístas tendem a ser mais respeitosas, quando se acredita em vários deuses, ou ainda, em diversas faces de uma força maior, e geralmente tem-se a tendência de possuir uma dessa como favorita, tem-se uma maior pluralidade de ideias, e não há um grande incômodo com os deuses de outros povos, que por vezes são tidos como mais diferentes faces. Religiões monoteístas por outro lado tendem tem uma visão fixa do mundo. Se no Politeísmo tem-se que as várias faces representam vários aspectos da vida; no Monoteísmo tem-se que o deus único representa a ordem e o bem, sendo assim tudo que não seja de tal deus representaria o caos e o mal.
Assim, a versão do Êxodo nesse livro é em realidade condizente ao que seria a visão dos Egípcios a tais acontecimentos, considerando que os Hebreus não eram escravos (o que é o que é apresentado no livro então será essa versão dos acontecimentos que irei levar em conta).
Ao se tratar de Nefertaria, a Dama de Abu-Simbel, a Rainha perfeita, ela está presente mais no aspecto religioso do livro, mas também tem uma função importante no político. O coração da narrativa, e o coração do Egito na época de acordo com o livro, é o Casal Real. A primera metade do livro, com a viajem para a Núbia me encantou com sua serenidade e com ocasionais aventuras, que acabam por demonstrar o poder da Rainha para a qual brilhava a luz.
Mas eventos históricos recentes de lado, 'A Dama De Abu-Simbel' traz mais intrigas com os Hititas, mais plots contra a Família Real, e agora o Êxodo de Moises. O livro em si me fez, novamente, ficar mais interessada no Egito Antigo, e no que realmente aconteceu na época em relação ao povo hebreu. No livro, os hebreus não são escravos no Egito, eles vivem e trabalham lá, porém não como trabalho forçado. Fontes históricas aparentam concordar com tal narrativa, o que novamente me faz desejosa por um apêndice ou notas de rodapé o que facilitaria a pesquisa do leitor intrigado. Assim, o personagem de Moisés no livro é um tanto... irritante.
-- Sem absolutamente nenhuma ofensa para com os judeus, estou me referindo somente aos acontecimentos nesse livro de ficção --
Em toda realidade, Moisés representa aqui o pior das religiões monoteístas, o egoísmo e a intolerância, a incapacidade de aceitar qualquer coisa que não seja uma verdade absoluta de sua crença. Religiões politeístas tendem a ser mais respeitosas, quando se acredita em vários deuses, ou ainda, em diversas faces de uma força maior, e geralmente tem-se a tendência de possuir uma dessa como favorita, tem-se uma maior pluralidade de ideias, e não há um grande incômodo com os deuses de outros povos, que por vezes são tidos como mais diferentes faces. Religiões monoteístas por outro lado tendem tem uma visão fixa do mundo. Se no Politeísmo tem-se que as várias faces representam vários aspectos da vida; no Monoteísmo tem-se que o deus único representa a ordem e o bem, sendo assim tudo que não seja de tal deus representaria o caos e o mal.
Assim, a versão do Êxodo nesse livro é em realidade condizente ao que seria a visão dos Egípcios a tais acontecimentos, considerando que os Hebreus não eram escravos (o que é o que é apresentado no livro então será essa versão dos acontecimentos que irei levar em conta).
Ao se tratar de Nefertaria, a Dama de Abu-Simbel, a Rainha perfeita, ela está presente mais no aspecto religioso do livro, mas também tem uma função importante no político. O coração da narrativa, e o coração do Egito na época de acordo com o livro, é o Casal Real. A primera metade do livro, com a viajem para a Núbia me encantou com sua serenidade e com ocasionais aventuras, que acabam por demonstrar o poder da Rainha para a qual brilhava a luz.
September 20, 2023
Despite traitors within his country and enemies without, Ramses was determined to build a beautiful temple to honor the love he had for his wife Nefertari. He faced many dangers on his way to Nubia, but eventually, the temple was built. He also faced challenges as he attempted to form a peace treaty with his traditional enemies, the Hittites. For the most part, I enjoyed this book except for the Hebrews' so-called revolt. For me, it was a toss-up between rolling my eyes or being seriously irritated. The author's depiction of the Exodus was ridiculous. He obviously didn't know his Biblical history very well. The Plagues and the Exodus were majorly downplayed. I have suspected for a long time that the Exodus never occurred during Ramses' reign. If it had occurred during his life, Egypt would have been destroyed. Instead, Ramses enjoyed a long and successful reign.
May 27, 2024
The story continues in this the 4th book of the set. Ramses and his wife Nefertari are 15yrs into their reign over Egypt but still beset by problematic neighbours to the North - the Hittites, and Ramses estranged brother stirring unrest in the South in Nubia. Meanwhile Ramses childhood friend Moses has returned from Midian with a new mission from his God and is determined to lead the Hebrews out of Egypt. These are entertaining stories by this author. I enjoy the attention to detail re the temples and cities of ancient Egypt and they are obviously well researched about thing like the flora and fauna and the capabilities of the Egyptians with regards to architecture, medicine and Nile navigation. A rip roaring good yarn if you aren't too bothered about massively accurate historical detail- it's fiction - go with the flow!
May 5, 2020
Una saga de 5 libros que explican, de manera novelada y entretenida, la vida y obra de Ramses II. Pongo 4 estrellas porque no me pareció la narrativa tan sólida, pero, debo reconocer, que históricamente está bien fundamentado, considerando que es una novela, y que puedes tener una panorámica de quien fue este gran hombre-faraón. Además, puedes comprender muy bien el entorno geopolítico, la lucha por el poder, el significado detrás de la construcción de ciertos monumentos, su círculo cercano, como fue cambiando conforme transcurrían los años, las guerras, como se alcanzó el primer tratado de paz en la historia de la humanidad, etc., etc. Es un libro obligado para quien quiera conocer a Ramses II y el antiguo Egípto.
August 12, 2022
Forse il più dinamico della pentalogia, azione, spionaggio, tranelli, inganni: non manca niente per animare le storie del nostro faraone d'Egitto.
Trovo anche che la ricostruzione della questione biblica sia davvero verosimile e renda più concreto il racconto, inserendolo in un contesto che esula dalla fantasia di alcuni aspetti che lo caratterizzano in molti punti.
Il finale è triste per molti motivi, ma questa è un'emozione che si sapeva sarebbe giunta e che, come già so, si ripresenterà anche nell'ultimo volume che mi accingo a leggere.
Trovo anche che la ricostruzione della questione biblica sia davvero verosimile e renda più concreto il racconto, inserendolo in un contesto che esula dalla fantasia di alcuni aspetti che lo caratterizzano in molti punti.
Il finale è triste per molti motivi, ma questa è un'emozione che si sapeva sarebbe giunta e che, come già so, si ripresenterà anche nell'ultimo volume che mi accingo a leggere.
July 22, 2023
Since I was a kid, and read the National Geographic article on how they moved Abu Simbel from the waters of the Aswan High Dam, I have been fascinated by Egypt.
Then , just before the First aGulf War I spent significant time working in Egypt and got the opportunity to visit their great monuments.
Statues of Ramses are everywhere.
This book was an interesting take on the Exodus and the plagues visited upon the Egyptians by Moses. I particularly liked the “ explanation “ for the dividing of the sea to trap the Egyptian “army”.
Then , just before the First aGulf War I spent significant time working in Egypt and got the opportunity to visit their great monuments.
Statues of Ramses are everywhere.
This book was an interesting take on the Exodus and the plagues visited upon the Egyptians by Moses. I particularly liked the “ explanation “ for the dividing of the sea to trap the Egyptian “army”.
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