Ancient Egyptian rock art reveals early kingship, divine claims, and violent power

Snippet: “Most early ruler names refer to dangerous animals that embody authority,” Morenz said. That symbolism was used to emphasize the rulers’ role as earthly deputies of divine power, rather than as gods. For Scorpion, he was associated with Bat, a celestial cow goddess linked to fertility, and Min, a god of the desert associated with hunting. “They formed a divine couple, with Bat associated with the fertile land along the Nile and Min with the peripheral regions,” Morenz added.