Hawks over Shem
| "Hawks over Shem" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Author | Robert E. Howard and L. Sprague de Camp |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Conan the Barbarian |
| Genre(s) | Fantasy |
| Published in | Fantastic Universe |
| Publication type | Magazine |
| Media type | Print (Magazine) |
| Publication date | 1955 |
"Hawks over Shem" is a fantasy novelette by American writer L. Sprague de Camp, featuring Conan the Barbarian and published in 1955. It's based on the story "Hawks over Egypt" by Robert E. Howard and is usually credited to both authors.
Synopsis
Conan pursues General Othbaal, an ally turned traitor, to the city of Asgalun. He allies himself with Mazdak, one of two other generals involved in a power struggle serving under King Akhirom. Conan and Mazdak eliminate the other generals while causing Akhirom to be overthrown in a coup. Conan must flee Asgalun, and a potentially profitable alliance to Mazdak, when it's discovered that he is actually Amra; a pirate who fleeced many nearby city-states.
Differences from Howard's original story
De Camp gave Diego de Guzman's role to Conan, changed the setting from Egypt in 1021 A.D. into Howard's Hyborian Age, and extensively rewritten the plot so that a new "Howard" story could be included to the collection Tales of Conan in 1955.
Publication history
"Hawks over Shemz" was first published in Fantastic Universe during October 1955.[1] In the same year, it was also published as part of Tales of Conan.[1] In 1968, it was republished in the collection Conan the Freebooter.[1]
The original story, "Hawks Over Egypt", can be found in The Road of Azrael published in 1979.[1]
Sources
- "The Barbarian Keep: Mistaken Identity: Are you Conan?". Retrieved 2009-05-14.
- Howard, Robert E.; de Camp, L. Sprague (1989). Conan Piraten (in Swedish). Target Games AB. p. 4. ISBN 91-7898-054-2.
- 1 2 3 4 "Publication History". Howard Works. Retrieved 2009-05-14.
External links
- Hawks over Shem title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
| Preceded by Conan and the Emerald Lotus |
Complete Conan Saga (William Galen Gray chronology) |
Succeeded by "Black Colossus" |