Ancient Egyptian Forum

Nefertari1 · Scribe Joined: 09 Nov 2008 Posts: 66 Location: England

This is a somewhat random question but were scorpions feared/persecuted or revered in any way in Ancient Egypt? I understand they were quite prevailent (& I think still are). I wondered how people coped with them, seeing as they also had to deal with snakes on a regular basis.
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tnrees · Posted: Sat Nov 15, 2008 10:29 pm Post subject:

There was an obscure god called Shed also known as the Saviour who provided protection against scorpions & the goddess seket/selket. She is attested from the 1st dynasty.She is often shown with a scorpion on her head.She was a guardian goddess of the royal coffin with isis, neith & nephthys

Meresankh · Posted: Mon Nov 17, 2008 1:46 pm Post subject:

Hi Nefertari1. You can find some information on scorpions in ancient Egypt here

I hope you find it useful.

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Nefertari1 · Scribe Joined: 09 Nov 2008 Posts: 66 Location: England

Kawab · Servant Joined: 18 Feb 2009 Posts: 16

That's an interesting article about scorpions. Um...I think I may have to reconsider my wish for a warmer, dryer climate though!

Psusennes I · Pharaoh Joined: 09 Sep 2004 Posts: 913 Location: England

'Scorpion' [Srqt] is also the name of the quasi-mythical second King of Egypt, who preceeded king Narmer (the king who united Upper and Lower Egypt in around 3150 B.C). The only clear evidence of Scorpion's existence is provided by the so-called 'Scorpion Macehead', which is housed in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. All the books I have which mention King Scorpion compensate for Egyptologists' profound lack of knowledge by filling up space describing the appearance of this artefact. In fact, some scholars remain unsure that Scorpion even existed, suggesting that 'Srqt' was merely an official title of another king. If he existed at all, Scorpion's tomb is almost certainly located somewhere at Abydos, where the tombs of other First (and some Zeroth) dynasty kings have been discovered. It is possible that the four-chambered tomb in Abydos designated B50 was his final resting place, but conclusion remains impossible in the absence of firm evidence.

Oh, and have a look at Serqet if you want a Scorption-Goddess:
http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/serqet.htm
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Ramsekh · Gods/Goddesses Joined: 03 Aug 2004 Posts: 746

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Meresankh · Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 6:46 am Post subject:

OMG...I take it this is you that's covered in scorpions?

Do they have their stings removed, or is that not possible? I know something like that can be done with tarantulas.

I must show my son this photo because only 2 days ago he told me that a couple of years ago, he had a dream about a black scorpion.
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Kawab · Servant Joined: 18 Feb 2009 Posts: 16

Yikes! Someone likes scorpions

Are you a scorpio by any chance Ramsekh?

Ramsekh · Gods/Goddesses Joined: 03 Aug 2004 Posts: 746

Yes, i am a scorpio. Its stinger is still intact. The emperor scorpion is the least venomous of all scorpions.
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Meresankh · Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 6:56 am Post subject:

I've learned something today. Thanks, Ramsekh

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Kawab · Servant Joined: 18 Feb 2009 Posts: 16

Is it right that the smaller the scorpion, the more deadly the poison?

Akhnaton · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 5:07 pm Post subject: Scorpio

EEEEEEEEKS Ramsekh Shocked

You are one brave man Smile

But what was this display in aid of Question

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Meresankh · Posted: Thu Mar 05, 2009 5:20 pm Post subject:

Insanity

Just kidding Ramsekh

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tnrees · Posted: Fri Mar 06, 2009 12:30 pm Post subject:

Not necessarily - there are some feral scorpions in England which are small & about as dangerous as a bee.
I HEARD that if they have strong claws they probably do not have a strong sting.