This bestselling novel is the result of the profound interest Finnish writer Mika Waltari (1908-1979) had in Ancient Egyptian history. Similar to many authors of his era, his fascination with Egypt began after the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922. Among the various periods of Egyptian history, he was particularly intrigued by the reign of Akhenaten. This fascination inspired him to write his first play set in this period, named Akhnaton, auringosta syntynyt (Akhenaten, Born of the Sun), which was published in 1936. The play delves into the complexities surrounding border control in Ancient Egypt, a theme that resonated with contemporary events such as the tensions between Finland and the Soviet Union during Waltari's time.
Following World War II, Waltari penned this novel. The atrocities witnessed during the war influenced his perspective, leading him towards a more cynical and distrustful view of humanity. The writing process for this manuscript was swift; Waltari secluded himself at his mother's cottage in southern Finland and dedicated three months to writing incessantly, adhering to a rigorous work schedule.
A significant aspect of the novel lies in its portrayal of an enduring human essence. The author firmly believed in the commonality of the human experience across different eras, from Antiquity to the present day. Emotions such as love, hatred, ambitions, and general feelings were found to be strikingly similar among the people of Ancient Egypt and those of Waltari's time. Furthermore, the author skillfully weaves in various technological elements and societal practices that may appear modern at first glance but actually existed in Ancient Egypt. For instance, he depicts Babylonian as the scholarly language shared by people across different lands during that era, akin to Latin or French in European history. Additionally, the communication method involving clay tablets serves as a precursor to modern communication systems.
Following the novel's release, efforts were promptly made to draw parallels between its narrative and the contemporary political landscape. Germany was allegorically linked with the warlike Hittite civilization, known for advocating a policy of aggressive territorial expansion similar to Germany's Lebensraum ideology. Notably, the Hittites also embraced a doctrine of disregarding the vulnerable while glorifying strength and physical wellbeing, a stance that drew comparisons with Nazi Germany.
The issue of historical accuracy holds a prominent position within this novel. Mika Waltari, despite not being an archaeologist and never having visited Egypt during his lifetime, deliberately chose to abstain from such visits. He reasoned that avoiding exposure to modern-day Egypt would prevent any alteration in his perception of Ancient Egypt. Nevertheless, the meticulous research and information-gathering efforts he undertook over many years were rigorous. Consequently, experts in the field of Egyptology acknowledge this novel as one of the most faithful representations of Ancient Egypt according to archaeological evidence. Shortly after its release in 1946, French Egyptologist Pierre Chaumelle commended the novel's fidelity and historical integrity. This acclaim has persisted into the 21st century, with Dr. Richard Parkinson, curator of the British Museum, commending the accuracy and intellectual depth of the novel in 2008. While there have been occasional doubts regarding Waltari's portrayal of cranial trepanation in the book, recent studies have validated his descriptions.
The Finns themselves regard this work as a masterpiece of Finnish literature, illustrating how Egyptomania can lead other nations to assimilate Ancient Egyptian culture as their own. The novel was adapted into a film by Michael Curtiz in 1954, which will be further explored in a separate entry within this database.

Author: Guillermo Juberías Gracia