Land of the Pharaohs

Throughout his reign, Pharaoh Khufu has amassed a great treasure. He wants to be entombed with it when he dies, free from the threat of grave robbers. He orders Vashtar, a genius architect/slave, to design such a structure. Vashtar agrees, provided his people are freed when his work is done. As the years of construction pass, the people of Egypt who once thought the building of the pyramid was holy work now realize it has only brought a lifetime of misery and drudgery. Yet Khufu presses on, levying taxes on outlying provinces to further finance his tomb. The province of Cyprus, however, offers the beautiful Princess Nellifer to the Pharaoh in lieu of taxes, and Nellifer eventually becomes one of his wives. She secretly plots to prevent Khufu's treasure from being locked in the tomb upon his death.