Most here at TAH are familiar with Monty Python\u2019s famous \u201cI fart in your general direction\u201d taunt.\u00a0 But it appears that at times, truth is indeed stranger \u2013 and funnier \u2013 than fiction.<\/p>\n
Because it appears that the Python skit could be based, very loosely, on a real incident that far predates King Arthur.\u00a0 This is the tale of that incident:\u00a0 a fart that changed history by ending a dynasty.<\/p>\n
. . . <\/strong><\/p>\n During the 6th Century BC, a Pharaoh known to the Greeks by the name of Apries ruled Egypt.\u00a0 He sent his army to fight against the Libyans.\u00a0 At Cyrene, the Pharaoh Apries\u2019 army suffered a great defeat.<\/p>\n The survivors of that defeat retreated to Egypt.\u00a0 Like many Egyptian Pharaohs of the Late Period, Apries employed Greek advisors and mercenaries.\u00a0 The survivors from Cyrene were largely ethnic Egyptians; they became convinced that Apries had intentionally sent native Egyptians to be killed fighting against the Libyans so that he could more easily control the rest of Egypt with his Greek mercenary troops.<\/p>\n The survivors and many of their relatives became disgruntled enough to rebel.\u00a0 The Pharaoh Apries then sent a trusted general, Amasis, to dissuade the rebels.\u00a0 And on arrival, Amasis began an attempt to do that.<\/p>\n However, while Amasis began to speak to the rebellious troops, one came up to him and placed a helmet – symbolizing royalty – on Amasis\u2019 head.\u00a0 The rebels were offering Amasis their loyalty as leader, if he accepted; and by offering to make him their leader, they were also offering him a way to become Pharaoh.<\/p>\n Amasis decided this offer was one he could not refuse.<\/p>\n Amasis accepted the offer of rebel kingship.\u00a0 Together with the rebels he began preparations to face the Pharaoh and his troops in battle.<\/p>\n The Pharaoh Apries soon heard of this.\u00a0 He sent a second trusted confidante – Patarbemis by name, and a member of his court – to the rebel camp.\u00a0 His mission was to bring back Amasis.<\/p>\n Patarbemis found Amasis and his followers, and summoned Amasis to meet him.\u00a0 Amasis rode up on horseback.\u00a0 Patarbemis then related his mission to Amasis, demanding that Amasis return to the Pharaoh’s court with him.<\/p>\n On hearing this, Amasis raised his buttocks from his saddle \u2013 and farted.\u00a0 He then told Patarbemis to \u201ctake that back to Apries.\u201d<\/p>\n Patarbemis persisted, insisting that Amasis must return to the Pharaoh\u2019s court.\u00a0 Amasis informed Patarbemis that the Pharaoh Apries would find him beyond reproach \u2013 for he intended to do exactly that soon.\u00a0 And he would bring others with him.<\/p>\n Realizing the futility of further parlay, Patarbemis returned to the Pharaoh\u2019s court.\u00a0 But on seeing Patarbemis return without Amasis the angry Pharaoh Apries had Patarbemis seized.\u00a0 He then ordered Patarbemis\u2019 ears and nose cut off.<\/p>\n . . .<\/strong><\/p>\n Now, this was not only unjust but foolish.\u00a0 Patarbemis was not only a trusted confidante of the Pharaoh Apries; he was also a well-respected noble.\u00a0 This act shifted the loyalty of the population, previously in general disposed to remail loyal to Apries, against Apries and towards Amasis.<\/p>\n The forces of Amasis and Apries indeed shortly met in battle.\u00a0 Due to his alienating the population, the forces of Pharaoh Apries were badly outnumbered; they lost.\u00a0 By virtue of conquest Amasis now became Pharaoh \u2013 and had the support of the Egyptian population.<\/p>\n Apries was kept in captivity at his former palace for a time, and initially treated well.\u00a0 But the Egyptian population convinced now-Pharaoh Amasis that he should release Apries to them.\u00a0\u00a0 He did; the former Pharaoh was shortly put to death by strangulation.<\/p>\n . . . <\/strong><\/p>\n A tall tale?\u00a0 Perhaps.\u00a0 I thought it might be when I first read it, in a \u201cweird history\u201d book that was short on sources and had some significant factual errors elsewhere in its text.\u00a0 And Amasis’ response – a fart, followed by “Take that back to Apries,” simply seemed too good to be true.<\/p>\n But I did some checking.\u00a0 And the tale is indeed legit according to the respected Greek historian Herodotus, often called the \u201cFather of History\u201d.\u00a0 The above account is found in his Histories<\/u>, Book 2, Chapters 161, 162, 163, and 169 (chapters 164-168 appear to be what would be called today a \u201csidebar\u201d and are not directly related to the story of Amasis and Apries.)<\/p>\n Don\u2019t believe me?\u00a0 Read Herodotus\u2019 account for yourself.\u00a0 An English-language translation of the story can be found, in order, here<\/a><\/em>; here<\/a><\/em>; here<\/a><\/em>; and here<\/a><\/em>.<\/p>\n . . .<\/strong><\/p>\n It certainly seems that Benjamin Franklin wasn\u2019t<\/u> the first in history to \u201cfart proudly\u201d<\/a><\/em>.\u00a0 (smile)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"