Pyramids – Summary
Pyramids, the seventh book in Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, follows the story of Teppic (short for Pteppicymon XXVIII), the crown prince of the tiny kingdom of Djelibeybi, a Discworld counterpart to Ancient Egypt. Teppic has spent the last seven years training at the Assassins Guild in Ankh-Morpork, but upon mystically sensing his father’s death, he must return home to assume the role of pharaoh.
The novel is divided into three parts: The Book of Going Forth, The Book of the Dead, and The Book of the New Son. As Teppic takes on his new responsibilities, he faces numerous challenges, primarily due to the kingdom’s strict adherence to tradition, enforced by the high priest Dios. When Teppic mentions that his late father didn’t wish to be buried in a pyramid, he inadvertently orders the construction of a pyramid twice the size of any previously built in Djelibeybi.
This massive pyramid’s construction sets off a chain of events that warps space-time, rotating Djelibeybi out of alignment with the rest of the Disc by ninety degrees. The kingdom descends into chaos as its multitude of gods manifest physically and all of Djelibeybi’s dead rulers come back to life. Meanwhile, Teppic is forced to flee the kingdom with a handmaiden named Ptraci, who was condemned to death for refusing to serve the late pharaoh in the afterlife.
Teppic and Ptraci travel to neighbouring Ephebe to seek help from philosophers on how to return their kingdom to normal. As pandemonium reigns in Djelibeybi and neighbouring nations prepare for war, Teppic must find a way to save his kingdom and its people.
The climax of the novel sees Teppic re-entering Djelibeybi and attempting to destroy the Great Pyramid with the help of his resurrected ancestors. They confront Dios, who is revealed to be as old as the kingdom itself and responsible for maintaining its unchanging traditions throughout history. Teppic succeeds in destroying the Pyramid, returning Djelibeybi to the real world and sending Dios back through time to restart the cycle.
In the aftermath, Teppic abdicates the throne in favour of Ptraci, who turns out to be his half-sister. Ptraci immediately begins implementing much-needed changes to modernise the kingdom, while Teppic decides to travel the Disc. The novel concludes with Death arriving to ferry the former rulers of Djelibeybi to the afterlife, and the kingdom’s former embalmers and pyramid-builders adjusting to life without the pyramids.
Key themes:
- The conflict between tradition and progress
- The nature of time and its manipulation
- The power of belief and its impact on reality
- The absurdity of rigid societal structures
- The challenges of leadership and governance
Character Details
Teppic (Pteppicymon XXVIII)
Teppic is the protagonist of the novel, the crown prince of Djelibeybi who becomes its pharaoh. Having spent seven years training at the Assassins Guild in Ankh-Morpork, Teppic has a unique perspective that sets him apart from his predecessors. He’s caught between two worlds – the modern, pragmatic approach of Ankh-Morpork and the ancient, tradition-bound ways of Djelibeybi. This internal conflict drives much of the story’s tension as Teppic struggles to reconcile his foreign education with his royal duties.
Teppic is intelligent, adaptable, and possesses a dry wit characteristic of Pratchett’s protagonists. He’s often bemused by the absurdities of his kingdom’s traditions but also feels a strong sense of duty towards his people. His journey throughout the novel is one of self-discovery and growing into his role as a leader, ultimately choosing to challenge the status quo for the betterment of his kingdom.
Dios
Dios is the high priest of Djelibeybi and serves as the primary antagonist of the story. He’s a complex character who has effectively ruled the kingdom for thousands of years, guiding each successive pharaoh to maintain traditions and resist change. Dios is revealed to be as old as the kingdom itself, trapped in a time loop that has him advising every pharaoh throughout Djelibeybi’s history.
Stern, unyielding, and deeply committed to tradition, Dios believes that change is dangerous and that Djelibeybi must remain static to survive. His character represents the inertia of ancient customs and the resistance to progress. Despite his antagonistic role, Dios is not portrayed as evil, but rather as a misguided figure whose fear of change has calcified into an oppressive system.
Ptraci
Ptraci begins the story as a handmaiden condemned to death for refusing to serve the late pharaoh in the afterlife. She becomes Teppic’s companion in his escape from Djelibeybi and his quest to save the kingdom. Ptraci is spirited, outspoken, and unafraid to challenge authority, providing a stark contrast to the rigid hierarchy of Djelibeybi.
As the story progresses, it’s revealed that Ptraci is Teppic’s half-sister, making her a legitimate heir to the throne. Her character arc sees her transition from a seemingly inconsequential handmaiden to the new ruler of Djelibeybi. Ptraci represents the potential for change and progress, immediately instituting reforms upon taking the throne.
Pteppicymon XXVII
Teppic’s father and the previous pharaoh of Djelibeybi, Pteppicymon XXVII appears mostly as a ghost throughout the novel. His death sets the plot in motion, and his spectral presence provides both comic relief and insights into the nature of Djelibeybi’s traditions. Despite being dead, he takes an active interest in his own mummification process and the lives of his embalmers.
Pteppicymon XXVII’s character serves to highlight the absurdity of many of Djelibeybi’s customs, particularly those surrounding death and the afterlife. His interactions with Teppic also provide a touching father-son dynamic that adds depth to both characters.
Reader Fit
Pyramids would appeal to readers who enjoy:
- Satirical fantasy with a blend of humour and social commentary
- Stories that play with concepts of time, tradition, and progress
- Clever wordplay and puns
- Reimaginings of ancient cultures and mythologies
- Character-driven narratives with elements of coming-of-age stories
Fans of Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series will find familiar elements in Pyramids, but it also serves as a good entry point for newcomers to the series, as it’s largely self-contained.
Quick Facts
Genre: Comic Fantasy
Publication Year: 1989
Reading Time Estimate: 8-10 hours
Notable Awards: British Science Fiction Award for Best Novel (1989)
Related Books
- “Small Gods” by Terry Pratchett – Another Discworld novel that deals with themes of belief and religion.
- “Good Omens” by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman – A collaborative work that shares Pratchett’s humorous take on religious themes.
- “The Colour of Magic” by Terry Pratchett – The first Discworld novel, for readers who want to start the series from the beginning.
