(mildly OT) Scorpion King: Real?

[Ysgarran]

Of Early Writing and a King of Legend; New York Times
Carved in the limestone of a desert cliff in Egypt is a 5,250-year-old tableau of a victorious ruler, perhaps the so-called King Scorpion — whose exploits, previously the stuff of myth and legend, may have been critical to the founding of Egyptian civilization. The archaeologists who discovered the tableau seven years ago now say it may be the world's earliest historical document.

http://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/16/science/social/16SCOR.html

I thought that the Scorpion King was strictly Hollywood mythology. I didn't know that they borrowed this (even a little bit) from the real world.

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hello!

I thought that the Scorpion King was strictly Hollywood mythology. I didn't know that they borrowed this (even a little bit) from the real world.

IIRC. In mythology the Scorpion King had a counterpart (The Snake Queen); I wonder will we see her in the movie - I'm looking forward to it; its out on Friday here!

 

[mythusmage]

I thought that the Scorpion King was strictly Hollywood mythology. I didn't know that they borrowed this (even a little bit) from the real world.

I first heard about the fellow some years ago. I was one of the early predynastic Egyptian kings. A descendent of Narmur himself. But I could be wrong.

Check out some sites on Egyptian archeology some time. You can find them by searching through the Open Directory Project

 

[CRGreathouse]

When I read the Times article (paper, not Internet) it had a trace of a cave drawing to support the article. Did the online version not have this?

 

[Talvisota]

For a very interesting alternate glimpse into "pre-dynastic" Egyptian history, check out Graham Hancock's "Message of the Sphinx."

Don't misconstrue; you will find nothing about aliens or rediculous junk like that. It's a very, very intriguing, in-depth study of the age of Egyptian civilization and common misconceptions prevolent in today's general knowledge.

 

[Trevalon Moonleirion]

A friend of mine is really into Egyptian mythology and such--probably why she wants to become an archaeologist now that i think about it...and i think i just spelled that wrong... anyhow, from what i remember, most of the people in the Mummy movies do have a real-world historical counterpart--though the rest is all hollywood myth

 

[William Ronald]

Correct again, Trevalon.

The historical Imhotep was a master architect and physician. His works became the basis of Egyptian medicine, much like Hippocrates work was the foundation of Greek medicine.

Some of his techniques involved using honey (a natural antibiotic) to treat wounds. There is even a reference to a potion with moldy bread that sounds like a primitive penicillin.

 

[Dr. Zoom]

Re: Re: (mildly OT) Scorpion King: Real?

IIRC. In mythology the Scorpion King had a counterpart (The Snake Queen); I wonder will we see her in the movie - I'm looking forward to it; its out on Friday here!

I just saw the trailor on TV and the sorcerous does have some kind of snake rod, so perhaps they used this part of the myth, too.

Also, the Rock was on Leno tonite and they had a great clip from the movie. It looks good.

 

[Dahak]

The Scorpion King real? Naw, it's a work!

 

[Corinth]

But those mad bumps, man! This has to be a shoot!