What did Egypt's Pharaoh do Each Day?
Sleep was a dangerous time to the ancient Egyptians.
Asleep, you awoke in a liminal zone, a place where the living, the dead, and the gods could observe and sometimes interact with one another - and not always in a pleasant way; at the same time your physical self lay vulnerable to malevolent forces that might try to enter your bedroom and attack your unconscious body.
The Pharaoh, despite being the embodiment of divine royal authority, was not exempt from such night terrors and required protection. When Amenhotep III awoke each morning
Rawi: Egypt's Heritage Review
December 2013
he opened his eyes to the sight of the protective goddess Nekhbet painted on the ceiling above him. Turning to his side, his head supported by a headrest decorated with carved images of Bes, a god who repelled evil forces, he saw further images of Bes painted on the nearby wall, above ankh-signs of life and tyt-knots of protection.
In this magically secure space, the Pharaoh could be sure he'd get a good night's rest, free from the anxiety of unprovoked demonic attack; no evil forces could penetrate such a potent force field. He was also shielded from physical forms of violence - throughout the night, his bodyguard stood watch at his doorway, keeping an eye out for any would-be assassins.
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