ABSTRACT
THE historical tradition preserved by the original Egyptian sources and by the Greek historians, and Manetho in particular, maintains that the first kings of Egypt were the gods. Are we to dismiss this tradition as a mere myth ? What we have learned about the part played by the ensigns and the gods compels us to inquire whether the legend does not conceal some facts. It is the historian’s business to discern, behind divine heroes, the men or groups who did the work of which legend tells. When we examine the pious fictions about the divine dynasties, we shall see what was the mentality of the “Servants ” (Shemsu)or “Followers ” (Imu-khet)of the gods, who, in the name of their divine patrons, founded the kingdoms, after the nomes. The subjects which interest the historian of civilization are the rivalries and endeavours of men, inspired and led, as they believed, by their gods. What I shall try to bring out is the wholly religious character of the institution of kingship, as it appears at the beginning of Egyptian history, in this society of god-kings superimposed on the human community.
