Story of Sekhmet's Rampage: Modern Retelling
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This is a translated and modern retelling of the story of Sekhmet, more specifically the story of the (almost) complete slaughter of mankind from The Book of The Heavenly Cow. I rewrote this myself using translated sources, aiming to make this reading more understandable.
Notice:
• The original translation has the name "Re", but it means the same as Ra.
• Some things I could not translate easier without removing most of it's meaning, so I did not.
• This is a retelling geared towards entertainment— I add a bit more personality and atmosphere to make the story flow together understandably. Nothing I added strays from the original.
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When Ra finished making His great creations, He took upon the form of man and ruled over all of mankind and the gods for many years. In His reign, Egypt prospered immensely, and great harvests were brought forth. But in the form of man, Ra grew old— His flesh of gold and His bones of silver, with hair made of genuine lapis lazuli. His kingship was no longer feared, and many laws were broken. Mankind had grown to have such audacity under His rule that they conceived of a wicked plot to overthrow Him.
His Majesty Ra heard of this plan, and His anger was like no other. He was utterly appalled at their disobedience, and so He turned to his advisors.
"Please summon to me my Eye, Shu, Tefnut, Geb, and Nut. Tell Nun from which I came to attend with His courtiers." He ordered. "You must bring them to my palace in secrecy, so mankind shall not see them. Their advice is greatly needed in this matter."
And so they were brought to Him right away, and these gods respectfully bowed in His Majesty Ra's presence. Nun awaited patiently for him to state his great trouble.
"Tell us of this situation, Ra." Nun encouraged.
"Oh ancestorial gods, Oh Nun from whom I was born from, look upon mankind which I created. These men have been plotting against me! Hear what they say of me, tell me what you would do about such a thing. I will do nothing violent to mankind until I have heard your thoughts of this." Ra spoke.
"Ra, what blasphemy! I ask of you to stay on your throne. Mankind has become rebellious, but I know they must still fear you. Turn your Eye upon them in the form of your daughter, Hathor. She will rightfully smite those traitors." Nun answered. Just as He did so, Ra had become aware of His people beginning to flee into the desert, their hearts fearful of what Ra might do with such a suggestion.
And so Nun continued.
"No eye is as capable as yours to bring divine retribution. Send it to them in the form of Hathor!" He proclaimed.
So from Ra's Eye his daughter Hathor came into being. She roamed the lands of Upper and Lower Egypt and slaughtered those who had plotted against Ra, taking immense delight in the destruction she brought upon mankind. She bathed in their blood, and killed everything that moved.
Ra watched from his throne as She did so, before summoning His daughter to stand before him.
"I Welcome your return, beloved Hathor! Have you accomplished what you were sent out to do?" Ra asked.
"As you live for me, I have indeed done what you have commanded. I have overpowered mankind, and it brings joy to my heart." Hathor rumbled. And so Ra approved. "That is good. I may gain power once more over them as king. Hold off on your murder."
But it was then the great lionness-headed Sekhmet was made from Hathor. She did not listen to Her father, and continued to kill across the lands of Egypt. The Nile ran dark red, and Sekhmet waded in the blood starting from Heracleopolis. Ra began to have sudden pity on mankind, even if they had rebelled against His kingship. But nobody was able to stop Sekhmet in Her bloodshed alone, and Ra knew this would have to be settled a much clever way. Ra called for speedy emissaries swift as shadow, and they were brought to Him, where His Majesty gave them orders.
"Journey to the isle of Elephantine and bring to me as much red ochre as you can carry!"
And they brought such to Him, returning it to the city of Ra by the time it was night. The maidservants of Heliopolis had been grinding barley and brewing beer even before their return. His Majesty appointed the high priest of Ra to pulverize the red ochre and add it to the beer, so that in the moonlight it bore resemblance to the blood of men. It looked indistinguishable from human blood, and seven thousand hebenet-jars of this beer was made. Ra inspected this beer closely at the eve of the day, when Sekhmet planned to journey south and kill greater mankind. The gods came with Ra in curiosity of His wisdom in this plan.
Ra was pleased with this beer, and had them take it to the place where Sekhmet was to be found by dawn. It was still night when the beer was poured out over the fields to the height of three palms.
When Sekhmet came hungrily the following day for the slaughter of men, She instead found the fields flooded with this beer the color of blood, and so She thought it was the blood of men whom She killed. Sekhmet was delighted at this sight, licking her lips before she drank from this liquid. To Sekhmet, She could tell no difference. She returned so drunk that She was unable to recognize the faces of men, and therefore could not kill them. Ra awaited for His daughter to return, welcoming Her warmly.
And so Sekhmet became Hathor once again, and beautiful women came to be in Imau.
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