CHAPTER VIII.
The Eighteenth Dynasty—Queen Hatasu and Thothmes III. (Circa 1600-1400 B.C.)
On the east bank of the river, about 50 miles
from Thebes, there stood in ancient times a
strong fortified city, surrounded by massive
walls of such thickness, that chariots might
have been driven abreast upon them. Of the
city itself nothing survives save ruins; but in
the valley that lies eastward, behind the hills,
are still to be seen long rows of tombs and
memorial sanctuaries, where were laid to rest
the heroes of the great war of liberation.
The whole district was ruled by native governors, tributaries of the Hyksos, throughout the whole period of the foreign supremacy, and the daily course of Egyptian life seems to have gone on with but little interruption. The tombs just mentioned belonged chiefly to one family, and the walls are adorned as usual with inscriptions and representations of scenes
