Berkley, E.: The pharaohs and their people: scenes of old Egyptian life and history (New York, [1883])

220 THE TWENTIETH DYNASTY.

often confused with each other by foreign
historians, and it is doubtful to this day which
of the two was meant by the Sesostris of the
Greeks—the probability being that he was a
personage created out the confused traditions
of both the Egyptian conquerors.

In spite of riches and renown, the throne of
the third Rameses was not too securely based.
It may have been that he was not of the ancient
race, so long venerated and deified by the
people, or it may have been that there was a
general decay in Egyptian loyalty, but the
fact is certain that a conspiracy of the most
alarming extent was discovered, originating in
the royal household itself. The conspirators
were detected in time, and the record of their
trial has been preserved. Many officers of
high rank and many ladies in the palace were
implicated. The first page of the papyrus is un-
fortunately defaced, so that the precise object
and nature of the plot must remain uncertain.
The royal commission to the judges is in the
following terms :—' Those who are accused by
the country I give them into your charge. As
to the talk of men I know nothing; about it.