The book presents a number of motifs taken from ancient Egypt. Pyramids are presented here as the iconic monuments of ancient Egyptian civilisation, with references being made to pseudo-scientific theories of the so-called pyramid power. References to Egyptian gods and religion draw upon stereotypical perception of Egypt as a civilisation worshipping strange-looking gods and putting religion above all else. Other stereotypes connected to ancient Egypt, such as mummies, treasures, cats, and camels are also present. Parodistic allusions are being made to the historical figures of Hatshepsut and Cleopatra. At the same time, the novel comprises some details, which suggest the author had more than just superficial knowledge of ancient Egyptian civilisation: these include the references to the Egyptian calendar or to pyramidion being made of electrum. Using both reliable and stereotypical information concerning ancient Egypt and combining it with some orientalist stereotypes and references to other cultural tropes (Bible, Trojan war, myth of Oedipus and the Sphinx, quantum physics) Pratchett constructs a satire portraying overreliance on religion and old traditions as a highly negative phenomenon that needs to be overcome. In doing so he uses an hyperbolised example of a fictitious state modelled on Egypt, a culture traditionally seen as over-attached to religion, to universalise his message.

Author: Filip Taterka