What are the motifs in River God by Wilbur Smith?

Overcoming adversity is a recurring idea. The Egyptians had to overcome great adversity in the novel. Their government was corrupt and the people hurting. A wedge had been forced between the ruling class and the commoners and the result was a crumbling infrastructure. At times the population wished to rebel and at other times they prayed for Memnon's safe arrival and a return to the days of a ruling class. Tanus was a great example of this process. Tanus made a military career for himself. He was not considered nobility, although his father had once been a prosperous merchant. His father had suffered from the government's corruption and their family had been irreversibly affected. Although Tanus was able to overcome his rough start, he still associated with the commoners and empathized with their struggle. Tanus was always quick to defend the common people and try to improve their lives. He even risked his own life to implore on their behalf.