The twelve people in this book (the last five are linked) are: Imhotep, architect and sage, the Leonardo of Ancient Egypt; Heqanakhte, a peasant farmer with problems; Hatshepsut, female Pharaoh, Egypt's Elizabeth I; Horemheb, self-made politician, general and Pharaoh - reformer or reactionary; Khaemwise, a prince who was the first Egyptologist; Petiese, a temple scribe with a grievance; Nectanebo, last Pharaoh of an independent Egypt and legendary magician; Ptolemaios, Greek-Egyptian recluse in the Serapeum temple complex; Apollonios, his youngest brother, would-be soldier, and police informant; Taous and Taw, twin sisters whose job is to impersonate goddesses; Hor, minor priest and secretary at the ibis shrine of Thoth in the same complex. Embracing them all is the figure of the god Osiris.