God King by Joanne Williamson

God King is set in 701 B.C. when Egypt was ruled by Kushite princes.

Lord Taharka, a young boy, only twelve years old stands in the black mud of the River Nile. He is one of the many sons of Shabaka, king of Kush who rules as a god in the Kushite city of Napata. It is Taharka's first crocodile hunt, and the crocodiles seem slow and lazy.

His uncle Embutah, now a high captain in the army, warns Taharka not to be deceived, that the crocodile can move swiftly and silently. Suddenly, the crocodile is by the boat, striking it with his thick tail. The blow knocks Net the boatman, into the river. Taharka watches as the crocodile begins to close its jaws on Net's arm and instantly Taharka reacts. He strikes the crocodile on its head with a spear but this makes it turn on Taharka, trying to snatch him with its jaws. Instead, Taharka finds himself knocked flat and sees Embutah holding the animal's jaws shut with his bare hands.

Taharka spears the animal at the base of its head, killing it. They drag Net into the boat. He is in shock, blood spurting from the wound in his arm. To stop the bleeding, Taharka tears a strip of cloth the sacred cloth that has been shielding him from the hot sun, and binds the boatman's wound. But the men in the other boats are shocked at Taharka's breaking of the tabu by using the sacred cloth and in touching a slave. According to the law, Taharka is a god, his flesh is not mortal flesh. No one is allowed to even look at him. Taharka tells Embutah he had to help the man and he wonders what will happen to him now.


Taharka's mother was a slave girl brought up from the far off Zambesi River. She had died years earlier and all Taharka had left of her was her brother, his uncle, Embutah. Taharka is one of many of his father's children and so not very important. In the god's great chamber, Taharka sees his cousin, Shepnuset who is destined to follow Taharka's great aunt, and become the high priestess of Amon in Thebes. Taharka finds her attractive but she will not be for him. Instead, she is destined for his half-brother Shabataka who will be the next god. 

When they arrive at quay, the injured man is taken away and Taharka is told he must attend at once in the great hall of the god. His father, the god Shabaka, is dying. Sixteen-year-old Shabataka has been preparing for this day, being allowed to slip into the god's presence unannounced, "learning and listening while the Lord of Kush gave audience." But when the dying god asks for Taharka to be bought to him along with Shabataka and others, the priest of Sebek the crocodile states that he has broken tabu by touching the flesh of a slave. When he is summoned and questioned by the dying god, Taharka tells his father that he did it to save the man's life. Taharka tells him" The man belonged to the God...I must preserve what belongs to you, Great God Shabaka."

Giving Shabaka the "wand of god, the magic wand of succession", the dying god selects Taharka as his choice to succeed him. Stunned and not understanding what is happening, Taharka is told, "Take possession of the land, Taharka, soul of the hawk, beautiful child of Ra, son of the sun, bringer of the Nile, Lord of Kush, Great God of Napata and Meroe, and Pharaoh of Egypt." Taharka is now "king of a land that stretched from the mouth of the Nile on the Northern Sea" (the Mediterranean Sea) " to the southern border of Kush."

But for Taharka, becoming a god is like becoming a prisoner. He can only eat the meat of a calf or goose and only flat bread. He is only allowed outside the walls of the Great house at specific hours of the day or at festivals. When out, his feet mustn't touch the ground and he must wear the double crown. In order for the sun to rise every day, Taharka must be carried around  the walls of the Great House before the sunrise.Anyone who wanted to speak to him had to kneel with their faces to the ground, otherwise they would be blinded.

However Shabataka, comes frequently to visit Taharka, disobeying all the rules, and offering advice to him. Unlike Taharka, Shabataka is envious of his half brother. Taharka begins his weapons training with Shabataka's encouragement and with Embutah's guidance. Embutah explains to Taharka how his family became lords over Egypt.

Shepnuset's aunt who was high priestess in Thebes dies unexpectedly and so she becomes the next high priestess. Then one day a confrontation between Embutah and Shabataka leads Taharka to suspect Shabataka's loyalty to him. 

 

Four years later, Taharka journey's down the Nile to Egypt where he will marry the high priestess, Shepnuset. Before he leaves, and despite reservations, Taharka makes Shabataka his Companion, able to wear the white crown of Kush. 

But Taharka's time in Thebes is soon filled with troubles.  Back in Napata, his uncle, Embutah is murdered. Amos, ambassador from Hezekiah, king of Judah visits the young Pharaoh and warns him about the Assyrians who will now attack Jerusalem because Hezekiah has refused to continue paying tribute. His royal taster dies after being poisoned by food meant for Taharka. And then Taharka learns of a plot to capture him. With the help of Shepnuset and Amos, Taharka flees through the desert towards Jerusalem. He is determined to return to Thebes as king and god of Egypt.

Discussion

The God King is an exceptional historical fiction novel for ages 10 and up. Acclaimed historical fiction author, Joanne Williamson, tackles the period of Egyptian history when the country was ruled by the Kushite dynasty. The the kingdom of Kush was located in south Nubia, an ancient region that now forms part of southern Egypt and northern Sudan. Nubia was rich in gold and ivory, resources that surrounding nations would want. God King is set in the 8th century B.C.  At this time Egypt had been conquered by king Piankhi and then ruled by King Shabaka (in the novel, Taharka's father). Their rule is considered part of Egypt's 25th dynasty. 

As the "About the Author" note at the back of the novel indicates, Williamson "...has the remarkable knack for using her fictional characters and plot to make connections between real historical persons and events." It goes on to state that these connections are valuable because they help younger readers. In God King, Williamson brings together events in ancient Egypt under the reign of Taharka (known as Taharqa) as well as those outside of Egypt: the relationship between Israel and its then king, Hezekiah and the conquering Assyrians. 

As Williamson notes in her "Author's Note" records are contradictory about this time period and the events that occurred. She has followed the Biblical account which states that "Tirhakah, king of Ethiopia" was on the throne when the siege of Jerusalem occurred and that he was the first king of Egypt to fight the Assyrians as they rampaged through the region. The Assyrians were unsuccessful in taking Jerusalem. In Williamson's account, the Assyrians begin dying of some mysterious ailment and abandon the siege. King Hezekiah's generosity and foresight has saved both Taharka and his people.

God King is told in the voice of Taharka, whom Williamson imagines as a young boy who doesn't want the responsibility of god on his shoulders. Taharka is compassionate, sparing a man from having his hand cut off as a punishment. When he retakes the white crown from his half-brother Shabataka, Taharka does not follow the prescribed punishment but instead spares his life.

Readers are drawn into the story almost immediately with the crocodile attack that sees Taharka putting aside the tabu to save his boatman's life. From this point on, the novel is well paced, with new events and characters keeping the plot interesting.

God King is a reprint of Williamson's novel which was originally published in 1960. It was part of a series of historical fiction published by small publisher, Bethlehem Books to bring back some quality historical fiction geared to younger readers. Most historical fiction has understandably focused on World War I and II events so it's refreshing to read a story about a much different and little known era of history. Well written and highly recommended.

Book Details:

God King. A Story in the Days of King Hezekiah by Joanne Williamson
Bathgate, North Dakota: Bethlehem Press     1999
206 pp.