Cheta is to be found in long lines of hieroglyphics on the south wall of the hall of columns of Rameses ii. at Karnal, also at Luxor and in the Sallier Papyrus, and an epic poem referring to his mighty deeds in no less than six different places.]

“Have a care what thou sayest!” shouted Amasis stamping on the floor.  “Egypt was never so great, so flourishing as now!  Rameses carried our arms into distant lands and earned blood; through my labors the products of our industry have been carried to all parts of the world and instead of blood, have brought us treasure and blessing.  Rameses caused the blood and sweat of his subjects to flow in streams for the honor of his own great name; under my rule their blood flows rarely, and the sweat of their brow only in works of usefulness.  Every citizen can now end his days in prosperity and comfort.  Ten thousand populous cities rise on the shores of the Nile, not a foot of the soil lies untilled, every child enjoys the protection of law and justice, and every ill-doer shuns the watchful eye of the authorities.

“In case of attack from without, have we not, as defenders of those god-given bulwarks, our cataracts, our sea and our deserts, the finest army that ever bore arms?  Thirty thousand Hellenes beside our entire Egyptian military caste? such is the present condition of Egypt!  Rameses purchased the bright tinsel of empty fame with the blood and tears of his people.  To me they are indebted for the pure gold of a peaceful welfare as citizens—­to me and to my predecessors, the Saitic kings!”

[The science of fortification was very fairly understood by the ancient Egyptians.  Walled and battlemented forts are to be seen depicted on their monuments.  We have already endeavored to show (see our work on Egypt.  I. 78 and following) that, on the northeast, Egypt defended from Asiatic invasion by a line of forts extending from Pelusium to the Red Sea.]

“And yet I tell thee,” cried the prince, “that a worm is gnawing at the root of Egypt’s greatness and her life.  This struggle for riches and splendor corrupts the hearts of the people, foreign luxury has given a deadly blow to the simple manners of our citizens, and many an Egyptian has been taught by the Greeks to scoff at the gods of his fathers.  Every day brings news of bloody strife between the Greek mercenaries and our native soldiery, between our own people and the strangers.  The shepherd and his flock are at variance; the wheels of the state machinery are grinding one another and thus the state itself, into total ruin.  This once, father, though never again, I must speak out clearly what is weighing on my heart.  While engaged in contending with the priests, thou hast seen with calmness the young might of Persia roll on from the East, consuming the nations on its way, and, like a devouring monster, growing more and more formidable from every fresh prey.  Thine aid was not, as thou hadst intended,