King Scorpion
Encyclopedia
Scorpion, or Selk, also King Scorpion or Scorpion II refers to the second of two king
s so-named of Upper Egypt
during the Protodynastic Period. Their names may refer to the scorpion goddess Serket
. The name of the queen who was his consort was Shesh I, the mother of Narmer
and the great-grandmother of another queen, Shesh II.
The only pictorial evidence of his existence is the so-called Scorpion Macehead
that was found in the Main deposit
by archeologists James E. Quibell
and Frederick W. Green in a temple at Nekhen
(Hierakonpolis) during the dig season of 1897/1898. It is currently on display at the Ashmolean Museum
, Oxford
. The stratigraphy
of this macehead was lost due to the methods of its excavators, but its style seems to date it to the very end of the Predynastic Period. Though badly damaged, the visible parts are extraordinary records from this early time in Egyptian history. He is believed to have lived just before or during the rule of Narmer
at Thinis
for this reason, and also because of the content of the macehead.
depicts a single large figure wearing the White Crown
of Upper Egypt. He holds a hoe
, which has been interpreted as a ritual either involving the pharaoh ceremonially cutting the first furrow in the fields, or opening the dikes to flood them. The name "Scorpion" is derived from the image of a scorpion that appears immediately in front of his face that may represent the scorpion goddess Serket
, just below a flower with seven petals; the use and placement of the iconography is similar to the depiction of the pharaoh Narmer
on the obverse side of the Narmer Palette
. Protodynastic hieroglyphics are difficult to read, but the dead lapwing
s (meaning Lower Egyptians) and the nine bows
(meaning the traditional enemies of Egyptians) found on the macehead are interpreted as evidence that he began the attacks on Lower Egypt which eventually resulted in Narmer's victory and unification of the country. The lapwing was also used as a hieroglyph meaning "common people", so the standards they are attached to may represent the names of particular towns Scorpion conquered.
A second, smaller macehead fragment is referred to as the Minor Scorpion Macehead. Little is left of this macehead, though it clearly depicts the pharaoh wearing the Red Crown of Lower Egypt.
seem to have had multiple names, Scorpion was the same person as Narmer
, simply with an alternate name. Others have identified the king Scorpion with Narmer's predecessor, Ka
(or Sekhen); Edwards in 1965 considered Ka's glyph, the outstretched arms of the ka
sign, as simply a stylistically different version of a scorpion. The historian Susan Wise Bauer maintains that Scorpion II and Narmer were indeed two separate kings, but that Scorpion II reigned in 3200 BC, a century before Narmer. Because Scorpion II is not attested at Abydos
, he could be a contemporary king to Narmer, who eventually lost or bequeathed Nekhen to Narmer.
A British television programme proposed that the macehead was a tribute by Narmer to King Scorpion I
(whose tomb at Abydos is known). According to this theory, there was only one protodynastic king Scorpion, rather than two as is commonly maintained.
King
- Centers of population :* King, Ontario, CanadaIn USA:* King, Indiana* King, North Carolina* King, Lincoln County, Wisconsin* King, Waupaca County, Wisconsin* King County, Washington- Moving-image works :Television:...
s so-named of Upper Egypt
Upper Egypt
Upper Egypt is the strip of land, on both sides of the Nile valley, that extends from the cataract boundaries of modern-day Aswan north to the area between El-Ayait and Zawyet Dahshur . The northern section of Upper Egypt, between El-Ayait and Sohag is sometimes known as Middle Egypt...
during the Protodynastic Period. Their names may refer to the scorpion goddess Serket
Serket
In Egyptian mythology, Serket is the goddess of healing stings and bites who originally was the deification of the scorpion....
. The name of the queen who was his consort was Shesh I, the mother of Narmer
Narmer
Narmer was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the Early Dynastic Period . He is thought to be the successor to the Protodynastic pharaohs Scorpion and/or Ka, and he is considered by some to be the unifier of Egypt and founder of the First Dynasty, and therefore the first pharaoh of unified Egypt.The...
and the great-grandmother of another queen, Shesh II.
The only pictorial evidence of his existence is the so-called Scorpion Macehead
Scorpion Macehead
The Scorpion macehead refers to a decorated ancient Egyptian macehead found by British archeologists James E. Quibell and Frederick W. Green in what they called the main deposit in the temple of Horus at Hierakonpolis during the dig season of 1897/1898...
that was found in the Main deposit
Main deposit (Nekhen)
The Main deposit was a foundation deposit of particular note in a temple in Nekhen. It was dug during the early Old Kingdom, and was excavated in 1894. The deposit is famous for having been the site where the Narmer Palette, Narmer Macehead, and Scorpion Macehead were discovered.The site was first...
by archeologists James E. Quibell
James E. Quibell
James Edward Quibell was a British Egyptologist, born in Newport, Shropshire.He was educated at Adams' Grammar School and Christ Church, Oxford...
and Frederick W. Green in a temple at Nekhen
Nekhen
Nekhen was the religious and political capital of Upper Egypt at the end of the Predynastic period...
(Hierakonpolis) during the dig season of 1897/1898. It is currently on display at the Ashmolean Museum
Ashmolean Museum
The Ashmolean Museum on Beaumont Street, Oxford, England, is the world's first university museum...
, Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
. The stratigraphy
Stratification (archeology)
Stratification is a paramount and base concept in archaeology, especially in the course of excavation. It is largely based on the Law of Superposition...
of this macehead was lost due to the methods of its excavators, but its style seems to date it to the very end of the Predynastic Period. Though badly damaged, the visible parts are extraordinary records from this early time in Egyptian history. He is believed to have lived just before or during the rule of Narmer
Narmer
Narmer was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the Early Dynastic Period . He is thought to be the successor to the Protodynastic pharaohs Scorpion and/or Ka, and he is considered by some to be the unifier of Egypt and founder of the First Dynasty, and therefore the first pharaoh of unified Egypt.The...
at Thinis
Thinis
Thinis or This was the capital city of the first dynasties of ancient Egypt. Thinis is, as yet, undiscovered but well attested to by ancient writers, including the classical historian Manetho, who cites it as the centre of the Thinite Confederacy, a tribal confederation whose leader, Menes ,...
for this reason, and also because of the content of the macehead.
Scorpion Macehead
The Scorpion MaceheadScorpion Macehead
The Scorpion macehead refers to a decorated ancient Egyptian macehead found by British archeologists James E. Quibell and Frederick W. Green in what they called the main deposit in the temple of Horus at Hierakonpolis during the dig season of 1897/1898...
depicts a single large figure wearing the White Crown
Hedjet
Hedjet is the formal name for the White Crown of pharaonic Upper Egypt. The crown was white and, after the unification of Egypt, it was combined with the Red Crown of Lower Egypt, with the delta to form the Pschent, the Double Crown of Egypt...
of Upper Egypt. He holds a hoe
Hoe (tool)
A hoe is an ancient and versatile agricultural tool used to move small amounts of soil. Common goals include weed control by agitating the surface of the soil around plants, piling soil around the base of plants , creating narrow furrows and shallow trenches for planting seeds and bulbs, to chop...
, which has been interpreted as a ritual either involving the pharaoh ceremonially cutting the first furrow in the fields, or opening the dikes to flood them. The name "Scorpion" is derived from the image of a scorpion that appears immediately in front of his face that may represent the scorpion goddess Serket
Serket
In Egyptian mythology, Serket is the goddess of healing stings and bites who originally was the deification of the scorpion....
, just below a flower with seven petals; the use and placement of the iconography is similar to the depiction of the pharaoh Narmer
Narmer
Narmer was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the Early Dynastic Period . He is thought to be the successor to the Protodynastic pharaohs Scorpion and/or Ka, and he is considered by some to be the unifier of Egypt and founder of the First Dynasty, and therefore the first pharaoh of unified Egypt.The...
on the obverse side of the Narmer Palette
Narmer Palette
The Narmer Palette, also known as the Great ierakonpolis Palette or the Palette of Narmer, is a significant Egyptian archeological find, dating from about the 31st century BC, containing some of the earliest hieroglyphic inscriptions ever found. It is thought by some to depict the unification of...
. Protodynastic hieroglyphics are difficult to read, but the dead lapwing
Lapwing
Vanellinae are any of various crested plovers, family Charadriidae, noted for its slow, irregular wingbeat in flight and a shrill, wailing cry. Its length is 10-16 inches. They are a subfamily of medium-sized wading birds which also includes the plovers and dotterels. The Vanellinae are...
s (meaning Lower Egyptians) and the nine bows
Nine bows
The nine bows is a term used in Ancient Egypt to represent the traditional enemies of Egypt. The peoples covered by this term changed over time, as enemies changed, and there is no true list of the nine bows...
(meaning the traditional enemies of Egyptians) found on the macehead are interpreted as evidence that he began the attacks on Lower Egypt which eventually resulted in Narmer's victory and unification of the country. The lapwing was also used as a hieroglyph meaning "common people", so the standards they are attached to may represent the names of particular towns Scorpion conquered.
A second, smaller macehead fragment is referred to as the Minor Scorpion Macehead. Little is left of this macehead, though it clearly depicts the pharaoh wearing the Red Crown of Lower Egypt.
Theories
There are several theories regarding his identity. Some argue that, because Egyptian kings of the First DynastyFirst dynasty of Egypt
The first dynasty of Ancient Egypt is often combined with the Dynasty II under the group title, Early Dynastic Period of Egypt...
seem to have had multiple names, Scorpion was the same person as Narmer
Narmer
Narmer was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the Early Dynastic Period . He is thought to be the successor to the Protodynastic pharaohs Scorpion and/or Ka, and he is considered by some to be the unifier of Egypt and founder of the First Dynasty, and therefore the first pharaoh of unified Egypt.The...
, simply with an alternate name. Others have identified the king Scorpion with Narmer's predecessor, Ka
Ka (Pharaoh)
Ka, also Sekhem Ka or Ka-Sekhen, was a Predynastic pharaoh of Upper Egypt.- Biography :Ka ruled over Abydos in the late 32nd or early 31st century BC, and was buried at Umm el-Qa'ab. He most likely was the immediate successor to Iry-Hor and was succeeded by Narmer...
(or Sekhen); Edwards in 1965 considered Ka's glyph, the outstretched arms of the ka
Egyptian soul
The ancient Egyptians believed that a human soul was made up of five parts: the Ren, the Ba, the Ka, the Sheut, and the Ib. In addition to these components of the soul there was the human body...
sign, as simply a stylistically different version of a scorpion. The historian Susan Wise Bauer maintains that Scorpion II and Narmer were indeed two separate kings, but that Scorpion II reigned in 3200 BC, a century before Narmer. Because Scorpion II is not attested at Abydos
Abydos, Egypt
Abydos is one of the most ancient cities of Upper Egypt, and also of the eight Upper Nome, of which it was the capital city. It is located about 11 kilometres west of the Nile at latitude 26° 10' N, near the modern Egyptian towns of el-'Araba el Madfuna and al-Balyana...
, he could be a contemporary king to Narmer, who eventually lost or bequeathed Nekhen to Narmer.
A British television programme proposed that the macehead was a tribute by Narmer to King Scorpion I
Scorpion I
Scorpion I was the first of two kings so-named of Upper Egypt during the Protodynastic Period. His name may refer to the scorpion goddess Serket....
(whose tomb at Abydos is known). According to this theory, there was only one protodynastic king Scorpion, rather than two as is commonly maintained.
In popular culture
- William GoldingWilliam GoldingSir William Gerald Golding was a British novelist, poet, playwright and Nobel Prize for Literature laureate, best known for his novel Lord of the Flies...
's 1971 novella The Scorpion GodThe Scorpion GodThe Scorpion God is a novella by William Golding, published in a collection of the same name, along with Clonk Clonk and Envoy Extraordinary ....
is loosely based upon this period of Egyptian history. - The Scorpion King's name was used in the 2001 film2001 in filmThe year 2001 in film involved some significant events, including the first of the Harry Potter series and also the first of The Lord of the Rings trilogy...
The Mummy ReturnsThe Mummy ReturnsThe Mummy Returns is a 2001 American adventure film written and directed by Stephen Sommers, starring Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, Oded Fehr, Patricia Velásquez and Freddie Boath. The film is a sequel to the 1999 film The Mummy...
, and its spin-offsSpin-off (media)In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
The Scorpion KingThe Scorpion KingThe Scorpion King is a 2002 American action film directed by Chuck Russell, starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Kelly Hu, Grant Heslov, and Michael Clarke Duncan...
(20022002 in filmThe year 2002 in film involved some significant events. The first significant releases of sequels took place between The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, Men in Black II, Analyze That, Spy Kids 2: The Island of...
) and The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior (20082008 in filmThis is a list of all major films made in 2008.-Highest-grossing films:Please note that following the tradition of the English-language film industry, these are the top grossing films that were first released in the USA in 2008...
). - An action-adventure video game The Scorpion King: Rise of the AkkadianThe Scorpion King: Rise of the AkkadianThe Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior is a 2008 direct-to-DVD prequel to the 2002 film The Scorpion King, which was a spin-off to The Mummy Returns, itself a sequel to the 1999 reimagining of The Mummy. Filming for the movie began on October 1, 2007, in Cape Town, South Africa...
was released in 2002. - The 2007 children's novel Pharaoh by Jackie FrenchJackie FrenchJacqueline Anne "Jackie" French is an award-winning Australian author. She writes mainly children's fiction and books on gardening....
deals with events in the court of King Scorpion, and the rivalry between his sons Narmer and Prince Hawk.