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The Destruction of Mankind*
In the time of Re's greatest majesty, after he became the king of all men and gods, mankind plotted against him
citing that Re had grown old, his bones being silver, his flesh of gold, and his hair of the true lapis lazuli.
When Re saw manking plotting against him, he called to his followers,
"Bring Me My Eye. And Shu, Tefnut, Geb, Nut, and the fathers and mothers who were with me when I was in the Nun
and also, the god Nun; have him bring his courtiers. But bring them stealthily, lest mankind see and lose heart.
Come with them (the gods) to the Palace, so that they may give their counsel and advice regarding these rebels.
In the end, I may return to Nun, to the place where I came into being.
And so, the gods were brought and lined up either side of Re, bowing to the ground before his majesty,
so that he might make his speech before the eldest father, the maker of mankind, the king of
people.
They said to his majesty: "Speak to us, that we may hear it."
Then Re said to Nun: "0 eldest god in whom I came into being and elder gods, behold mankind who was created from my eye,' is
plotting against me. They have thought words against me.
Tell me what you would do about it, for I am searching. I would not slay them until I have heard what you might
say about it.
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At which the majesty of Nun spoke:
"My son Re, god greater than his maker, more important that his creators, stay on your throne!
The fear of you is great. Your Eye is on those who scheme against you.
Said the majesty of Re: "Look, they are fleeing to the hill country, their hearts afraid of what I might say."
They said to his majesty, Re: "Let your Eye go and strike them for you, those schemers of evil!
No Eye is more able to smite them for you. May it go down as Hathor!"
And thus the goddess went down and slew the humans in the hill country2, and returned to his majesty, Re.
And Re said, "Welcome in peace, Hathor, the Eye who did what I asked! The deed is done"
Said the goddess: "By the life you have given me, I have prevailed over mankind and it is pleasing to me."
Said the majesty of' Re: "I am the one to prevail over them them. I control mankind by sending out the power of my kingship."3
Thus Sekhmet came into being.
And thus Sekhmet went into the valley of the Nile4, and
began the destruction of mankind, and she waded in the blood of men that ran like rivers to Hnes (Hercalopolis).
And Re looked out over the land, and felt pity for mankind. but none could stop the mighty goddess Sekhmet.
And thus Re said:"Summon to me swift, nimble messengers that they may run like a body's shadow!5"
The messengers were brought immediately, and the majesty of this god said: "Go to Yebu and bring me hematite in great quantity!"
These pieces of haematite were brought to him. And the majesty of Re placed the High Priest of Heliopolis (Side-lock Wearer) over
the grinding of these pieces of haematite into ochre - and in the meanwhile the maidservants were also milling barley for beer
throughout the night. Then these pieces of haematite were put into this beer-mash and it became like the blood of mankind.
7000 jugs of beer were made. Then the majesty of the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Re, together with these gods, rose in the depth of night to see this sleeping draught
poured out in the area, where the goddess (the Eye) was headed in her southward journey.
Then Re said, "Oh, how good it is! I shall protect mankind".
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The fields, which had three palms (trees), were flooded high with the liquid6. When the goddess arrived in the morning and found them flooded, her face reflected
in the pool of red liquid. She was pleased and drank the red beer.
There was a sense of well-being in her heart. And thus She came returned to Ra while in the state of drunkeness
not seeing or recognizing mankind.
Then the majesty of Re said to this goddess:"Oh how welcome is the One Beautiful and Agreeable Lady of Imaw!"
And thus the Beautiful Ones came to Memphis.
The majesty of Re said onto this goddess: "The heat of illness has overcome me. It shall come to pass that I am
too ill to continue.
Then the majesty of Re said to the gods in his following: "As I live for me! My heart is weary and tired to stay with them.
I slaughtered them in vain! I would kill them to the last without restraining my arm, and my offerings would not lessen.
The gods in his entourage said: "Do not turn your back because of your weariness of them. You have been victorious as you wished!7
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[*] This version is my attempt at a translation from several years ago, when AEL was working on the Destruction of Mankind
translation. It might contain errors of translation and symbology, but it was my best attempt at the time.
[1] Phillippe Germond - Sekhmet Et la Protection du Monde
[2] Hill country refers also to foreigners
[3] In this section, Re and Hathor are arguing over who has control over the humans.
Hathor is overcome with bloodlust, and is asserting her power, informing Re of the fact that he cannot control her.
Re, on the other hand is trying say that he has power over the humans and everything else that controls them (since he sent *her* out
to slay them. It is now that Sekhmet comes to being.
[4] It appears that the people of the Nile Valley were under the protection of Re, and only those
that fled to the hill country (ie: foreigners) were the ones to be punished.
[5] This might be a euphamism like "quick as a fox". Basically, it means to get the fastest messengers possible
[6] This section might be a metaphor with the inundation, which helps alleviate the heat of a ruthless sun during the
summer months.
[7] In this last section, Re seems to be complaining of being too tired of dealing with humanity. It is here that he
potentially retires to the heavens, leaving the ruling of Earth to his children.
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