Only Gods Never Die. Karl Hudousek

      Prologue

      WHEN THE DIRECTORY consented to Napoleon’s expedition to and invasion of Egypt, they were no doubt glad to see him go – and hopefully put an end to his ambitions in France. Perhaps Napoleon saw himself as the new Alexander, especially after the battle of the Pyramids. What the French found in Egypt took them by surprise. Little was known about this ancient land, and therefore some one hundred and seventy savants accompanied the expeditionary force.

      In an effort to curtail French expansion, the British sent Nelson to destroy the French fleet and cut Napoleon’s supply. Nelson was successful when he found the French anchored at Alexandria, and destroyed the fleet at the battle of Aboukir Bay. This effectively cut off the French, but did not dim their desire – particularly that of the savants – to comb the length and breadth of Egypt.

      Though their task was a scientific and documentary one, a treasure hunt was not to be dismissed. Plundering ancient sites in order to enhance their country’s museums and palaces was an occupation of adventurers. A find was made and, under Napoleon’s orders, kept in total secrecy. Numerous papyri and other treasured objects were recovered along the Nile valley during these probes, as was the Rosetta Stone.

      In February 1799, Napoleon learned that his position in Egypt was untenable. With the help of Vivant Denon, the leader of the savants, Bonaparte ordered that the best artefacts, gold and jewel-encrusted loot be hidden with the greatest of secrecy. The rest could be left to the savants to document and study. Tombs and burial grounds have been looted for thousands of years. This rediscovery of Egypt created a new wave of pillaging.

      The French were in grave danger due to the British blockade of Egypt. Without reinforcements or supplies from France, it would be only a matter of time before the French lost control of Egypt. Only a handful of Napoleon’s most trusted officers and a few savants knew of the discoveries; the priority was to return to France, and recover the treasure at a later date. Napoleon sailed for France in secret. On returning in triumph, he took advantage of the political situation and seized control, finally being crowned emperor in December 1804.

      Second in command of the Ottoman forces, which cooperated with the British in the expulsion of the French, was an Albanian soldier: Muhammad Ali. After the French forces’ withdrawal, Ali emerged as Pasha of Cairo in 1805. Having secured his position, he struck a more favourable accord with France and Britain than the Ottomans.

      Seizing this opportunity, Bonaparte issued orders to his most trusted military aids: retrieve the hidden treasure and transport it to France in total secrecy, with the help of French vice consul Bernadino Drovetti. The small group of officers masquerading as merchants organised a large caravan to leave Saqqara and set out for the Bahariya oasis, south of the Qattara Depression. As it passed the oasis and turned west into the Libyan Desert, avoiding all scrutiny, an armed escort joined them.

      The caravan followed the setting sun on a course that would take it into the Great Sand Sea south of the Siwa oasis; there two French officers departed for Alexandria to report to Paris as expediently as possible. Unknown to both of them, by the time they reached the shores of France the entire caravan had marched into oblivion, swallowed by a fierce sandstorm and lost without trace in a sea of burning sand.

      Such an undertaking is not without risk in this inhospitable and dangerous region. In the legend of Siwa, as told by Herodotus around 500 B.C., a Persian force sent by King Cambyses of Persia to plunder the oasis and enslave the people marched from the Nile by way of the Kharga oasis, and vanished in a sandstorm halfway to Siwa.

      Napoleon set the scene and interest in Egypt never waned. Other adventurers stepped onto the stage: scholars such as Campallion and the Italian Rossellini; adventurers like Drovetti, Henry Salt, Belzoni and the unforgettable team, Carter and Lord Carnarvon. All knew that the Great Sand Sea was only for the foolish, mad or suicidal. By the close of the 19th century, comprehension of ancient Egypt was far advanced. There was a feverish desire for more knowledge and new discoveries. Some finds were made through scientific process and many by chance. Adventurers and amateurs sniffed about like bloodhounds to uncover leads or they paid locals, who sometimes came across an artefact, tomb or curiosity, for information. Negotiations were carried out with intrigue and clandestine deals to thwart rivals.

      In Europe the monarchy was disappearing. The balance of power toppled in 1914 and by the end of the war the complexion of Europe had changed. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was no more. Russia had collapsed and the Ottoman Empire was in its final demise. Here was a new breed of adventurers: young men returning from foreign battlefields, dislocated and disillusioned.

       For a description of terms and historical people mentioned in the book, please see the Glossary at back.

      . 1 .

      BLINDED BY FLASHES of brilliant light, he closed his eyes and turned his head with a groan.

      “Welcome back from the dead, Felix,” said an unfamiliar voice.

      Dazed by thirst, Felix opened his eyes to find himself face to face with a man of blue-black skin and a bright smile. He winced and moved his head as rays of sunlight reflected from a brass lapel badge shot into his eyes.

      “Sorry,” said the dark stranger, altering his position to stop the reflection. “It was a good omen – I mean the ravens were.”