A powerful fast-paced Egyptian telling that will transport readers into the Golden Age of Africa. The untold story of destiny, triumph, and epic battles. The historical rise of the Queen-Pharaoh, "Hatshepsut" and expansionist Warrior-Pharaoh, "Thutmose III", who is also called, "Black Pharaoh".
A prophecy is given to the sorcerer by way of a dream, about the coming birth of a child that would become a mighty conqueror of nations, Black Pharaoh. But his birth would be darkened with betrayal, deceit and eminent death to the royal throne.
Against all odds, his majesty will rise and face the greatest obstacles that an Egyptian ruler has ever beheld...
A powerful fast-paced Egyptian telling that will transport readers into the Golden Age of Africa. The untold story of destiny, triumph, and epic battles. The historical rise of the Queen-Pharaoh, "Hatshepsut" and expansionist Warrior-Pharaoh, "Thutmose III", who is also called, "Black Pharaoh".
A prophecy is given to the sorcerer by way of a dream, about the coming birth of a child that would become a mighty conqueror of nations, Black Pharaoh. But his birth would be darkened with betrayal, deceit and eminent death to the royal throne.
Against all odds, his majesty will rise and face the greatest obstacles that an Egyptian ruler has ever beheld...
Early during the spring of 1577 B.C., on a morning with clear skies on the desert beach of Dahab, on the southeast coast of the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, a man sat with his legs crossed underneath him. He sighed with contentment as the sound of rushing waves crashed against the shore. A dark brown turban covered his head and face but left his eyes exposed to the light of day.
Hekauton, an Egyptian sorcerer of great renown, languished in deep meditation. In sync with the forceful waves, he hummed and chanted, âGreat god, Amun-Ra, reveal yourself to me. The nation has become weak as the days of the Hyksos. Rise, Oâ Kemet.â
The sixth chant brought a strong wind that blew against and dislodged his soul. His eyes closed. Blacked-out vision revealed an instant out-of-body experience. His eyes opened. Hekauton observed himself and his surroundings on a high desert mountain. Screams of terror reached his ears. Smoke and blood invaded his nostrils. He gasped and recoiled while chaos unfolded below him during a futuristic time of uncertainty and great turmoil.Â
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âWhat is this? Where am I?â He rose to his feet.
He heard a loud horn blast and clashing war shields. Looking down from the mountain peak, he found himself watching a great war in the high grounds. Across the top of the opposite mountains, he saw a large waterfall. He saw an older version of himself standing at the right hand of a tall, muscular, dark-skinned man who wore the skin of a black lion as a cape with only his human mouth showing.
Hekauton hid behind the mountain peak; he hoped not to be seen.
At ground level far below, two armies were at a standoff; they taunted each other. On one side stood the mighty Egyptian Army; on the other stood the great Mitannian Army. The hooded man raised his hand, and the battle began. The Egyptians charged the Mitannians. Shields clanged. Daggers and swords cut and sliced through the atmosphere while the military men struck each other down.
The Egyptians dispatched their war chariots, which trampled over many Mitannians. The Mitannian warriors, fierce fighters, began to gain an advantage over the Egyptians.
Below the black-hooded man, two-hundred Nubian arrow snipers launched arrows toward the Mitannians and struck down many of them.
Still, the Mitannian military fought as a unit, which gave them momentum over the Egyptians.
The older Hekauton, a great sorcerer, turned to the man in the black-hooded cape. âMy Lord, Black Pharaoh, the Mitannians have gained an advantage on the ground level. What should we do next?â
Black Pharaoh, in a calm voice replied, âWe have allowed those rebels to escape on two occasions. This time, I will deal with them myself. Guide me down!â He jumped from the top of the waterfall down into the water.
The eyes of the older Hekauton glowed like fire. He used his sorcerer powers to shield Black Pharaoh. When Black Pharaoh surfaced, his garments had turned into gold armor with a gold mask, and his drawn sword, unlike any other, shimmered. His eyes turned black as he extended his hand toward the enemy. His hand released a smokey, dark mist, which resulted in the death of hundreds of the Mitanniansâ frontline soldiers. Frightened, the enemy retreated. Fire consumed hundreds. Bodies dissolved into thin air.
Black Pharaoh, with one mighty hand, struck down everyone in his path with his sword. He regained the advantage for his army. The Mitannians were soon annihilated, for Black Pharaoh and the Egyptian Army had cornered the Mitannian King and all his personal guards. The enemies were backed against a high cliff.
The king of the Mitannians had no choice but to surrender. âGreat Black Pharaoh,â he begged, âHave mercy on me. Allow me to live and be a servant in your house.â
Black Pharaoh replied, âTime and time again, I have shown you mercy, and you have rebelled and risen up against the Supreme Forces of Kemet. On this day, you and every nation will know that I am a mighty god of Kemet, Black Pharaoh. All will submit, or perish, before me.â
The king of the Mitannians said, âI submit.â
The lion-faced hood disappeared. Black Pharaohâs natural face appeared. âYou are wise, but Kemet has no place for a coward.â
He then slit the defeated Kingâs windpipe with his sword and kicked him off the cliff into the steep pit below.
The Mitannian Kingâs personal guards knelt and bowed their heads in submission to Black Pharaoh. Thus, he spared them. Black Pharaoh raised his hands to the sky as his military forces behind him cheered their great victory. He beheld someone peeking down from the mountain. Black Pharaoh made eye contact with the transfigured Hekauton. Black Pharaohâs eyes turned black and released a great blast.
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When his soul reentered his body on the beach, Hekauton realized the experience was no ordinary dream, but a prophecy of the future Black Pharaoh. Without warning, the day turned pitch black. Stunned, as if possessed, he silenced his mind to tranquility and listened.
A deep eerie voice spoke. âYou have been given the dream, sorcerer, regarding the prophecy of Black Pharaoh. The time for his arrival draws near, and you will become his eyes and ears.â
Hekauton gave obeisance to the high stationed voice and said, âAmun-Ra, god of Kemet, it is you. I am honored. When shall these things take place?â
Amun-Ra replied, âThe son of Thutmose the Second shall be a mighty conqueror.â
âBut the pharaoh has no sons,â Hekauton said. âAre you referring to the Prime Minister, his adopted son?â
âThe Prime Minister is not born of the royal bloodline. He only lives because of the queenâs pity for him. The child of which I speak has not yet been born. His birth shall cause division and betrayal. Even death will strike the royal house so that it may be cleansed. Go to the palace and notify the pharaoh of all I have shown you in the vision. You must announce what was revealed to you before all the people of Kemet.â
âWith due respect, my Lord,â Hekauton said, âthe queen has already had two stillborn children. I fear speaking on the matter, knowing it is a sensitive one.â
âDo as I have commanded you!â Amun-Ra replied. âAccording to my will, all shall be revealed in time.â
Amun-Ra departed. Hekauton rose to his feet and looked across the waterâs horizon. The pierced call of a nearby laughing dove startled him. With fear and obedience, he ran toward the great city of Thebes, the capital of Egypt.
Desert sands blew toward the city of Thebes. Sunbeams blazed the day forward. A multitude of exhausted Hebrew slaves pulled thick ropes to erect massive marble images of Pharaoh Thutmose the Second and of his queen, Hatshepsut. The royal couple, half-brother and half-sister, shared the same father, Thutmose the First.
Thutmose the Second was born by his fatherâs secondary wife, Queen Mutnofret, while Hatshepsut was born of the great royal wife, Queen Ahmose. The slaves had been subject to bondage for a century.
It was Thutmose the First who had dealt harshly with the Hebrews. He noticed they had grown mighty in numbers. He feared a takeover would come upon Egypt, as it did with the Hyksos against previous pharaohs. He ordered the execution of all the Hebrew male children and enforced harsh labor upon them.
After his death, this prejudice and harsh labor afflicted on the Hebrews continued in the reign of Thutmose the Second. As they labored, the slaves were whipped and savagely mistreated by the Egyptian taskmasters.
 A loud trumpet sounded six times, a calling for everyone to gather before the pharaohâs palace for a special announcement.
The slaves and their taskmasters abandoned their work and ran toward the palace. When they arrived at the royal court, the Egyptians stood in front while the lowly Hebrew slaves knelt in the back.
As all the people took their stations before the throne, Senenmut, the royal steward, announced the entrance of the royal family. First came the Pharaoh, Thutmose the Second, followed by his royal Queen, Hatshepsut. Next, came their daughter, Princess Neferure. She was followed by the Prime Minister, Hatshepsutâs adopted son. Last, came Iset, the queenâs maidservant.
Senenmut called in a loud voice to the crowd, âThe god of Kemet, Amun-Ra, has given Hekauton, the sorcerer, a prophecy of the new era approaching our mighty nation. Hekauton, deliver this message of prophecy to us!â
The people went silent as they waited for Hekauton to speak.
âThis morning, as I sat in meditation, a vision came to me about the birth of the son of Thutmose the Second.â
The crowd murmured in anticipation as Hekauton continued in an elevated voice.
âThis boy will be a conqueror of nations,â said Hekauton. âHe is predestined to defeat our enemies and bring us to supreme world dominance! Riches, gold, silver, livestock, and vegetation will be restored to Kemet.â
At that moment, Hatshepsut, who already was pregnant, looked at her husband with excitement and said, âMy love, the plague of death that has struck my womb, after giving birth to two stillborn children, is no more. Amun-Ra has lifted the curse, and our son will be born as the sole heir to the throne.â
The pharaoh and his queen were ecstatic! With newfound hope for the future, they joined hands as they sat high above the people on their thrones.
âThis mighty Pharaoh,â Hekauton continued, âwill show his power before your eyes. He shall be called Black Pharaoh!â
Thunderous applause rattled windows and doors. The pharaoh and his queen raised their hands to the sky. They returned to their chambers and planned for the birth of their long-awaited son.
âWhat should we name him?â the queen asked. âWhat about Ahmose the Second, like his grandmother and great-grandfather?â In love, she rubbed her belly. âI am elated over this prophecy! Finally, my love, I get to bear you a son. I nearly lost hope before the sorcerer proclaimed this news. According to the prophecy, this child will change our lives and the kingdom forever. We will have a mighty warrior to defend the nation. I prefer diplomacy, but if a warrior is what heâs meant to be, then so be it.â
Thutmose the Second stood by a window with his hands clasped behind his him. âOf course, he shall carry on his fatherâs legacy, along with my name,â He replied. âBlack Pharaoh is a dominant title. I, too, my love, am overjoyed for this next journey in our life. I believe our son will bring us closer than we have ever been before.â
The king rushed to the queenâs side on the bed. He held her in his arms. Kisses passed between them as they passionately embraced each other. He looked into the queenâs eyes and said, âMy love, I know you have great concerns about past events regarding the stillborn children. I know I did not support you properly, but with this blessing,â he paused and rested his hand on top of her hand on her belly, âthings will get better between us, I promise.â He kissed her forehead. âYou take care of my son by eating well, sleeping well, drinking well, and avoiding any kind of upsetting matters.â
Tears pooled in Hatshepsutâs eyes. She believed the sincerity in her husbandâs voice and eyes. âI need you to stay here with me more often, my king,â she said. âI know you like to take your rides at night to clear your head, but I need you now more than ever.â
âThe weight of ruling the world is heavy, my love, the pharaoh replied. âBut I will do my best to comfort you through the months ahead.â
He held his queen tight. He inhaled her fragrance and placed his head on her stomach. In love with his unborn child, he caressed and kissed his wifeâs belly with pride.
Queen Hatshepsut smiled, for the caresses soothed her.
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Thutmose the Second sang his heart-song to his son.Â
       âMy son is the mighty one,
Black Pharaoh his reign.
Prince Thutmose the Third brings us fortune and fame. The strength of his mother shall be his acclaim.
The heir to his father, he must bear my name...â
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A hard knock on the door interrupted the kingâs song. âWho dares to disturb me without being summoned?â hissed the pharaoh.
The guard of the royal chambers entered. âMy Lord, the sorcerer demands to speak to the royal family in private,â he said, rigid with respect and humility.
Puzzled, Thutmose the Second looked at Hatshepsut. âSend him in!â
Hekauton walked into the royal chambers and bowed. âGreat Pharaoh and Great Queen, there was more to the prophecy Amun-Ra gave me that I did not mention in front of the people regarding the child.â
 âWell, proceed!â the king demanded. He stood to his feet by the bed next to Hatshepsut.
Afraid to be the bearer of bad news, the nervous, Hekautonâs bones shook as he said, âA curse came with the birth of this child in your royal house.â
âWhat possible curse could my son bring to us?â Hatshepsut asked.
Hekauton cleared his throat and replied, âA curse of division and betrayal.â He swallowed hard. âI warn you, my Pharaoh and Queen, watch for the signs of the betrayer, for that oneâs betrayal will give him, or her, great power in Kemet.â
âWho would dare plot againstâŚâ
Before Hatshepsut could finish, Thutmose the Second spoke up. âThank you, Hekauton for the words of Amun-Ra. We shall keep our eyes and ears open. Anyone plotting or uttering a word of betrayal will have their eyes put out and they will be burned alive before all Kemet.â The king opened the chamber doors and ushered Hekauton out. âNevertheless, let us celebrate my son. The next Pharaoh of Kemet will be born.â
The pharaoh was not concerned about the sorcererâs warnings. He refused to let go of the happiness that came with knowing he will have a son.
âRoyal guard!â shouted the king and clapped his hands.
The alert and ready guard entered the chambers within seconds.
âHave the maidservants prepare a great festival, in celebration of my son to come!â
 The queen, on the other hand, heeded Hekautonâs warning. She pondered his words with pensive thoughts and knitted brows. She had always displayed more wisdom than her husband.
I, Black Pharaoh: Rise to Power by Emmanuel Kulu Jr. is an historical fiction account of the mighty reign of Thutmose the Third in Egypt despite deceit and threat from the very people he is to inherit the throne from.
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This historical fiction account begins with a vision from the Gods that there will soon be a birth of the new ruler, Black Pharaoh. Thutmose the Second is the current ruler of Kemet in Egypt and it has been prophesied that he will have a son who will be the ruler when he is gone. Hatshepsut, the pharaohâs devoted wife is honored to provide this son but it seems destiny has its own idea. When Hatshepsut finds her husband with another lover her jealousy burns and plans begin to form in her head, plans to rid the world of this adulterous leader and become the true ruler. There are others who believe they have earned their place as rulers and those who decide to remain devoted to Thutmose the Second. For many years this position is fought for and in the end only one person can rule.
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This account of Egyptian Rule is a twisted tale of deceit that sometimes reads as a textbook, other times as a novel dreamed up by a talented writer. Many of the facts used in the story are accurate and if you are familiar with the history, then following along will come easily.
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I give this book three out of five stars for its creative take on an historical event with many diverse characters and plot twists. There were times where the dialogue seemed too âmodernâ for the times but this did not distract from the story. For a reader who is not familiar with Egyptian History this story can be confusing as allies quickly turn to enemies and enemies become allies quickly and frequently throughout the story. According to other readers the historical accounts may not convey the truth accurately but being a fiction novel there is room to make small adjustments as desired, as has been done by the author. It is well written and easy to read and understand, providing some history to the reign of the Black Pharaoh, ruler and conqueror of Egypt.