The Cat of Bubastes: A Tale of Ancient Egypt

In Short

Set in the Egypt of Thotmes III, this historical adventure follows Amuba, a royal captive from the Rebu people, and Chebron, the son of a high priest. When a hunting accident results in the death of a sacred cat—an act punishable by death in Ancient Egypt—the two boys and their loyal mentor, Jethro, are forced to flee their lives in Thebes. The narrative blends meticulous archaeological detail with a sweeping journey across the ancient world, eventually finding its resolution in the restoration of a kingdom and a shift toward monotheistic belief.

The Story

The story opens in the wake of an Egyptian victory over the Rebu. Amuba, the young prince of the defeated people, is captured and taken to Egypt as a slave. He is eventually purchased by Ameres, a high priest of Osiris, who treats him with kindness. Amuba grows up alongside Ameres’s son, Chebron, and the two become inseparable, studying Egyptian wisdom and training in arms under the guidance of Jethro, a former charioteer who also serves as a mentor to the young men.

Their peaceful life is shattered by a tragic accident. While hunting, Chebron accidentally kills a cat sacred to the temple of Bubastes. Because the law mandates death for anyone who harms such a creature, the boys know their lives are forfeit if the deed is discovered. They attempt to hide the evidence, but the subsequent search by temple officials creates an atmosphere of terror. Complicating matters, Chebron’s sister, Mysa, is kidnapped, forcing the fugitives to navigate a dangerous web of intrigue and rescue missions within Thebes.

With the help of Chigron, a sympathetic embalmer, the boys and Jethro are disguised and eventually forced to flee the city. Their escape leads them on a long, perilous journey through the desert and across the sea. They travel to foreign lands, including the region of Meroe, constantly evading the long reach of Egyptian authority. Throughout their travels, the boys are accompanied by Mysa and a young Israelite girl named Ruth, whom they rescued during their flight.

Years later, the party reaches the land of the Rebu. Amuba, now a man, reclaims his birthright, overthrowing the usurper Amusis and restoring his people to independence. Chebron, having abandoned the rigid polytheism of his youth, serves as Amuba’s advisor. Together, they work to introduce their people to the concept of a single, supreme God, a belief system they synthesized during their years of exile and reflection. The story concludes with a sense of hard-won peace; looking back, Chebron recognizes that the accidental killing of the sacred cat was the catalyst that freed them from the insular constraints of Egyptian society, ultimately leading them toward a life of greater purpose and spiritual clarity.

How It Unfolds

The fall of the Rebu Amuba is captured during a crushing defeat by the Egyptian army. Despite his lost status, he is taken to Thebes, where his dignity earns him a place in the household of the high priest Ameres.

The fatal shot While hunting to hone their skills, Chebron makes a catastrophic error when his arrow kills a sacred cat. The boys realize that their lives are forfeit, as the penalty for this sacrilege is death.

The flight from Thebes As official investigations begin, the boys and their mentor Jethro use disguises and the aid of a friendly embalmer to escape the city. Their mission becomes more urgent when they must rescue Mysa from captors.

The long trek The fugitives cross the desert and navigate the seas, encountering various cultures and local governors. They maintain their cover while constantly moving to stay ahead of the memory of their crime.

The return to power Amuba finally arrives at his ancestral home, where he rallies his people against the usurper Amusis. He successfully liberates his kingdom and assumes the throne as the rightful king.

The final legacy Amuba and Chebron implement a new, monotheistic religious outlook for the Rebu. They reflect on their past, seeing their youthful tragedy as a necessary bridge to their current wisdom and happiness.

The People

Amuba is the displaced prince of the Rebu. He begins as a submissive slave but uses his time in Egypt to master its arts and sciences. His journey is one of reclaiming his identity and leadership, ultimately transforming into a wise, moderate king who respects his people’s traditions while introducing new ideals.

Chebron is the son of an Egyptian high priest. Initially defined by his devotion to Egyptian gods and his fear of his culture’s rigid laws, he is the most profoundly changed by his exile. Losing his father and fleeing his home strips him of his status, leading him to question the nature of the divine and finding a new, independent purpose alongside Amuba.

Jethro is the steady, experienced former charioteer who acts as the group’s protector. He provides the practical skills—fighting, navigation, and strategy—that keep the boys alive. He remains the group's moral anchor, never losing his calm even when facing impossible odds.

Mysa is Chebron’s sister. Though she begins as a protected noblewoman, her abduction and subsequent life on the run turn her into a resilient partner in the group's efforts. She plays a pivotal role in the later years by working alongside Ruth to advocate for the new religious understandings among the women of the Rebu.

In Its Own Voice

“Men make their own happiness, and a man may be respected even though only a slave.”

Amuba’s mother reminds him that dignity is found in conduct rather than status.

“I can understand what you feel about it, though to my mind it is ridiculous; there are thousands of cats in Thebes; let them choose another one for the temple.”

Amuba attempts to comfort a panicked Chebron after the accidental killing of the sacred animal.

“I don’t wish to overthrow the temples or disturb the worship of the former gods, but that I desired that the people should not remain in ignorance, but should be taught that the gods as they worshiped them were but symbols or images of the one great God.”

Amuba outlines his moderate approach to religious reform upon taking the throne.

What It's Really About

The central theme is the transition from blind adherence to ritualistic superstition toward an interior, ethical religion. By placing his protagonists in a position where they must flee their culture’s rigid, life-or-death legalism, the author argues that true wisdom is discovered outside of one's upbringing. There is also an implicit argument regarding the nature of authority; the protagonists’ success suggests that leadership is a product of earned respect and personal character rather than birthright alone. The story questions whether the "civilized" world of Egypt, with its complex castes and animal-focused worship, is truly superior to the simpler, more open society the exiles eventually build, suggesting that progress lies in stripping away layers of artifice to find a more universal truth.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy classic, high-stakes adventure will find much to admire in the pacing of this story. The author excels at placing characters in dire circumstances and then meticulously detailing the clever, often desperate ways they extract themselves. The book is particularly compelling for its rich, albeit idealized, descriptions of ancient life—from the agricultural rhythms of the Nile to the complex hierarchy of the priesthood.

Modern readers should be prepared for the book's period-specific sensibilities. The author’s view of "civilization" is deeply rooted in 19th-century perspectives, often contrasting cultures in ways that reflect the biases of that era. The dialogue is formal and stylized, characteristic of the historical fiction of its time. Additionally, the plot is long and deliberate, favoring detailed descriptions of customs and landscapes over rapid-fire action. However, for those who value an immersive, sprawling journey where the characters evolve from boys into principled leaders, there is a distinct pleasure in watching the protagonists navigate their way out of a seemingly permanent trap. The underlying arc—the idea that a single, life-altering mistake can eventually be understood as the essential spark for personal liberation—is a timeless, resonant takeaway that stays with the reader long after the final page is turned.