Serapis is a historical romance novel that features a story of the cult of Graeco-Egyptian deity pushed ahead during the third century BC on the demand of Greek Pharaoh, Ptolemy I, Soter of the Ptolemaic Kingdom in Egypt as a means to merge the Greeks and Egyptians in his realm. The cult of Serapis was spread as a matter of calculated policy by the Ptolemaic kings, who also built the massive Serapeum of Alexandria. Serapis continued to grow in admiration during the Roman Empire, often replacing Osiris as the consort of Isis in temples outside Egypt. This work is written in a very poetic and tranquil language and keeps the reader's attention throughout the story. It is a must-read for anyone interested in Egyptian history or those who enjoy reading historical romances. The author, Georg Moritz Ebers (1837 – 1898), was a German Egyptologist and novelist. Ebers wrote the work with the vision of popularizing Egyptian legends through historical romances
The family of musicians were kindly received, but they were not immediately called upon to perform, for as soon as Damia heard that the pretty fair-haired child who had pleased her so much the day before had been obliged to remain at home, she had one of her granddaughter's dresses brought out, and requested Herse to go back to fetch her. Some slaves were to accompany Herse and transfer all her little property on board a Nile-boat belonging to Porphyrius, which was lying at anchor just off the ship-yard. In this large barge there were several cabins which had often accommodated guests, and which would now serve very well as a residence for Karnis and his party. Indeed, it was particularly well suited for a family of musicians, for they could practise there undisturbed, and Gorgo could at any time pay them a visit. Herse went back to the Xenodochium with a lighter heart; her son also returned to the city to replace a number of necessaries that had been lost on board ship, and Karnis, rejoicing to be out of the monk-haunted asylum had remained in the men's room in the house of his new patron, enjoying the good things which abounded there. He felt as though he was here once more at home after years of exile. Here dwelt the spirit of his fathers; here he found men who enjoyed life after his own fashion, who could share his enthusiasms and his hatreds. He drank noble liquor out of an elegantly carved onyx cup, all that he heard soothed his ears, and all that he said met with entire sympathy. The future prospects of his family, till now so uncertain, were hardly inferior to those which his vivid imagination had painted the night before. And even if Fortune should again desert him, the hours of present enjoyment should be written down to the profit side of life, and remain a permanent gain at any rate in memory. The venerable Damia, her son Porphyrius, and the fair Gorgo were in fact a trio such as are rarely met with. The master of the house, more cautious than the women, was inclined to think that his mother and daughter had been somewhat overhasty and imprudent in their advances and he had at first received Karnis with considerable reserve; but after a short interview he had convinced himself that the musician was a man of unusual culture and superior stamp. The old lady had, from the first, been predisposed in his favor, for she had read in the stars last night that the day was to bring her a fortunate meeting. Her wish was law, and Karnis could not help smiling when she addressed her son, whose hair had long been grey and who looked fully competent to manage his own household, as "my child," not hesitating to scold and reprove him. Her cathedra was a high arm-chair which she never quitted but to be carried to her observatory on the roof of the house, where she kept her astrological tablets and manuscripts. The only weakness about her was in her feet; but strong, and willing arms were always at her disposal to carry her about—to table, into her sleeping-room, and during the daytime out to sunny spots in the garden. She was never so happy as when Helios warmed her back with his rays, for her old blood needed it after the long night-watches that she still would keep in her observatory. Even during the hottest noon she would sit in the sun, with a large green umbrella to shade her keen eyes, and those who desired to speak with her might find shade as best they could. As she stood, much bent, but propped on her ivory crutches, eagerly following every word of a conversation, she looked as though she were prepared at any moment to spring into the middle of it and interrupt the speaker. She always said exactly what she meant without reserve or ruth; and throughout her long life, as the mistress of great wealth, she had always been allowed to have her own way. She asserted her rights even over her son, though he was the centre of a web whose threads reached to the furthest circumference of the known world. The peasants who tilled the earth by the Upper and Lower Nile, the shepherds who kept their flocks in the Arabian desert, in Syria, or on the Silphium meads of Cyrenaica, the wood-cutters of Lebanon and Pontus, the mountaineers of Hispania and Sardinia, the brokers, merchants, and skippers of every port on the Mediterranean, were bound by these threads to the villa on the shore of Mareotis, and felt the tie when the master there—docile as a boy to his mother's will—tightened or released his hold.
The busy turmoil of the town had been hushed for some hours; the moon and stars were keeping silent watch over Alexandria, and many of the inhabitants were already in the land of dreams. It was deliciously fresh-a truly gracious night; but, though peace reigned in the streets and alleys, even now there was in this pause for rest a lack of the soothing calm which refreshes and renews the spirit of man. For some few weeks there had been an oppressive and fevered tension in the repose of night. Every house and shop was closed as securely as though it were done, not only to secure slumber against intrusion, but to protect life and property from the spoiler; and instead of tones of jollity and mirth the sleeping city echoed the heavy steps and ringing arms of soldiers. Now and again, when the Roman word of command or the excited cry of some sleepless monk broke the silence, shops and doors were cautiously opened and an anxious face peered out, while belated wanderers shrunk into gateways or under the black shadow of a wall as the watch came past. A mysterious burden weighed on the Heart of the busy city and clicked its pulses, as a nightmare oppresses the dreamer.
Musaicum Books presents to you this meticulously edited Georg Ebers collection, formatted to the highest digital standards and adjusted for readability on all devices. Table of Contents: An Egyptian Princess Uarda: A Romance of Ancient Egypt Homo Sum The Sisters The Emperor (Hadrian) Serapis: a Romance The Bride of the Nile Cleopatra Arachne A Thorny Path (Per Aspera) Other Novels: The Burgomaster's Wife:A Tale of the Siege of Leyden Margery: A Tale of Old Nuremberg Barbara Blomberg: A Historical Romance In the Blue Pike A Word, Only a Word Joshua: A Story of Biblical Times In The Fire Of The Forge: A Romance of Old Nuremberg A Question: The Idyll of a Picture by his Friend Alma Tadema The Elixir The Story of My Life, from Childhood to Manhood– Autobiography
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Georg Ebers was one of the 19th century's most famous Egyptologists, and his knowledge of Ancient Egypt helped him write popular historical novels which were full of the mysterious intrigue that people attached to the Egyptians at the time.
