The Three Queens

Giza Trilogy #3

by Paul Morrison

THE THREE QUEENS is a book about the life of the son of Pharaoh Khafre and grandson of Pharaoh Khufu - Pharaoh Menkaure, as well as his relationships with his three Queens. It covers the period from c.2532 B.C. through to c.2500 B.C. (the death of Shepseskaf, Menkaure’s son and heir). We only know the name of one of Menkaure’s queens – Khamererenebty II. The other two are a mystery. A clue to one of the possible names is in the name of Menkaure’s known daughter, Khentkawes, for often daughters took the name of their mother.
Unlike the other two books in the Giza Trilogy, The Three Queens is more a book about the personal life of the Pharaoh rather than military conquests and other adventures. Much more detail is included in this book on the lifestyle and customs of ancient Egypt, (or Kemet as it is referred to) than in the other two books. Where there are gaps in this knowledge such as a day in the life of the Pharaoh artistic licence has been employed to fill this gap. The forms of entertainment, clothes, food, drink, and positions of employment within the royal court are all examined more closely. The pyramid though is not ignored.
Menkaure’s pyramid was the smallest on the plateau and only about half the size of his father, Pharaoh Khafre’s pyramid. Why was this? Possible answers are suggested in the book, but as with the two previous Pharaohs in the Giza Trilogy, little is know about Menkaure’s own life. Again clues must be found in the pyramid and in the three satellite pyramids he built for his queens; the magnificent statues of the Pharaoh; as well as in the lives of the Pharaohs who followed after him. Menkaure’s pyramid was the last to be built on the Giza Plateau. Why was this? Again reasons (plausible theories) are suggested in the book.
As with the previous two Giza books, Pharaoh Menkaure is given a life and perhaps more freedom than a Pharaoh would have been given. He is not a stone Pharaoh but one who is alive to the reader and those around him, including his three Queens.

1120 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 21, 2013

About the author

Paul Morrison, a retired museologist has been a writer for most of his life. “I cannot remember a time when I was not writing, even when I was five or six years old. I grew up on books such as TREASURE ISLAND, 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA and THE TIME MACHINE — these and many other books that I read in my early years fed my imagination, a voracious imagination transporting me to faraway places, other worlds and to other times in both the recent and more distant past...” Many of these worlds and places are visited in the novels and short story collections he has written.

Besides a love of fiction, Paul also reads widely on ancient history and archaeology. “I am particularly interested in Ancient Egypt, mainly Old Kingdom Egypt during the age of the pyramid builders. I have always been intrigued as to how the pyramids were built and about the lives of the pharaohs and the workers who constructed these mountains of stone. There were many questions filling my mind, but few if any answers.” This inquiring interest led to the GIZA TRILOGY books, a monumental work of well-researched fiction set against the backdrop of the three pyramids on the Giza Plateau. Together, with their associated books, THE DIVINE LIGHT, ETERNAL EGYPT, (Supplement to the Giza Trilogy), and SECRET OF THE PYRAMID, these books total more than 1.3 million words! Other books written by Paul cover a wide range of subjects including historical fiction, science fiction, ghost and detective stories as well as many other genres.

Paul currently lives in Hobart, Tasmania with his wife in a house overlooking the Derwent River. “The magnificent views of the Derwent River and Mount Wellington inspire me in my writings — but the most important inspiration is my wife, Helena.”

Reviews

[Sekhar N Banerjee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Even though not exciting as the two previous volumes, this was generally enjoyable and gave a good account of the end of fourth dynasty.