The Im
p
ortance
of FAC
T
S
20
T
C
I cannot rule without knowing the facts. So
I have an army of scribes to write down
lists of trade goods, taxes, accounts, and
work records. Having everything in writing
means that I know what taxes my subjects
owe me and whether they have been paid.
This makes me even more rich and powerful.
Then there are the mathematicians and
astronomers. Without them, I cannot predict
when the Nile will flood, and that would be
a disaster.
I INSIST THAT MY SCRIBES
ARE WELL-TRAINED.
They need to begin lessons at the age
of five. Remembering
and learning how
to write all those
hieroglyph symbols of
people, animals, and
shapes takes a very long
time. The children must attend
schools regularly. Most are
sons, and sometimes daughters,
of priests, government officials,
and generals. So I expect them to
behave themselves. As if! I was a
student once . . .
Hmmm. Looks
like the pharaoh’s
nearly dead.
Ah well.
