Post by Malcolm on Jul 31, 2013 18:29:26 GMT -5
As we know exactly who King Solomon was - see all the PROOF and evidence on page 2 of the General Board in the page on King Solomon - it is easy to identify the Queen of Sheba.
Unfortunately I had not discovered the Kebra Nagast when writing my novel, "The Tutankhamen Code" in 2005, and I opted for the Arab claim that she came from the land of Saba in what is now The Yemen. That location did suit the tale I wanted to weave in, especially because of my knowledge of that corner of Arabia having lived there for two years. Consequently I decided to leave my fictional Queen of Sheba where my story found her.
The bible tends to say little about Sheba other than to use her name to extol the virtues and wealth of Solomon to the greatest degree. We have to turn to the Koran to find a warm, loving and even humorous episode of their first meeting.
Koran - The Chapter of The Ant - 27 Mecca - (E H Palmer translation) "And it was said to her, 'Enter the court;' and when she saw it, she reckoned it to be an abyss of water, and she uncovered her legs. Said he, 'Verily, it is a court paved with glass!' "
First of all this adds to the evidence in identifying Solomon since those very tiles have been found in the ruins of the Palace of Ymn Htp III at Malqata on the west bank of the Nile at Luxor. Some have reeds, fish and fowl worked into the scene which would have been stunning when the Palace was still intact.
The scene described briefly in the Koran was so inviting I just had to put it into my story and here is the relevant extract:
" The King held out his hand gesturing that she should walk by his side, and as they moved on towards the smaller columned hall, the Prince and Queen Etiye followed with the rest of the retinue trailing behind. Smen was anticipating Bilqees’s reaction as much as the King.
When receiving guests there was always a pause before stepping foot into the long corridor so that he might see the surprise on their faces, and what they might make of it. Stretching out in front of her, Bilqees marveled at what at a quick glance could be taken for a watery pool. Here and there the highly glazed tiles appeared to have hidden depths where fish swam in cloudy depths, while on the surface ducks sat paddling at their leisure making their way in and out of lotus buds that bordered the edges on both sides. It was a work of art crafted in the Royal Workshops next to the Palace by men who would have earned a fortune in another time and age.
The walls depicting more birds in flight added yet another dimension to the overall effect. So lifelike was it, she did have to reassure herself that it was safe to wade through without getting her feet wet. She gasped in appreciation knowing what was expected, and then with a cute smile decided to play along and pretend that she had been fooled.
Steadying herself on Solomon’s arm, she bent down, and removing her sandals modestly lifted the hem of her robe, and stretched out a toe to test the water. The King was taken back with surprise, fooled automatically into a momentary belief that she really did believe a river in some way flowed through the hall. Now it was his turn to express confusion. “It isn’t water. They are only glass tiles.”
Then he saw that she was only teasing, and stammered, “Well, some of my guests have thought it very true to life. But it is well done isn’t it?” Though worldly and learned in so many ways Solomon was no different to any other householder who took pleasure in presenting a special feature of their home which was in its way unique. "
Unfortunately I had not discovered the Kebra Nagast when writing my novel, "The Tutankhamen Code" in 2005, and I opted for the Arab claim that she came from the land of Saba in what is now The Yemen. That location did suit the tale I wanted to weave in, especially because of my knowledge of that corner of Arabia having lived there for two years. Consequently I decided to leave my fictional Queen of Sheba where my story found her.
The bible tends to say little about Sheba other than to use her name to extol the virtues and wealth of Solomon to the greatest degree. We have to turn to the Koran to find a warm, loving and even humorous episode of their first meeting.
Koran - The Chapter of The Ant - 27 Mecca - (E H Palmer translation) "And it was said to her, 'Enter the court;' and when she saw it, she reckoned it to be an abyss of water, and she uncovered her legs. Said he, 'Verily, it is a court paved with glass!' "
First of all this adds to the evidence in identifying Solomon since those very tiles have been found in the ruins of the Palace of Ymn Htp III at Malqata on the west bank of the Nile at Luxor. Some have reeds, fish and fowl worked into the scene which would have been stunning when the Palace was still intact.
The scene described briefly in the Koran was so inviting I just had to put it into my story and here is the relevant extract:
" The King held out his hand gesturing that she should walk by his side, and as they moved on towards the smaller columned hall, the Prince and Queen Etiye followed with the rest of the retinue trailing behind. Smen was anticipating Bilqees’s reaction as much as the King.
When receiving guests there was always a pause before stepping foot into the long corridor so that he might see the surprise on their faces, and what they might make of it. Stretching out in front of her, Bilqees marveled at what at a quick glance could be taken for a watery pool. Here and there the highly glazed tiles appeared to have hidden depths where fish swam in cloudy depths, while on the surface ducks sat paddling at their leisure making their way in and out of lotus buds that bordered the edges on both sides. It was a work of art crafted in the Royal Workshops next to the Palace by men who would have earned a fortune in another time and age.
The walls depicting more birds in flight added yet another dimension to the overall effect. So lifelike was it, she did have to reassure herself that it was safe to wade through without getting her feet wet. She gasped in appreciation knowing what was expected, and then with a cute smile decided to play along and pretend that she had been fooled.
Steadying herself on Solomon’s arm, she bent down, and removing her sandals modestly lifted the hem of her robe, and stretched out a toe to test the water. The King was taken back with surprise, fooled automatically into a momentary belief that she really did believe a river in some way flowed through the hall. Now it was his turn to express confusion. “It isn’t water. They are only glass tiles.”
Then he saw that she was only teasing, and stammered, “Well, some of my guests have thought it very true to life. But it is well done isn’t it?” Though worldly and learned in so many ways Solomon was no different to any other householder who took pleasure in presenting a special feature of their home which was in its way unique. "
Attachments:
