Ankrahmun theme was confirmed as ancient Egypt inspired one. 1
Holy Scarab does not have much of direct “lore” in Tibia. We can only find and connected symbolism which can be also interpreted differently. The main symbolism and purpose of Holy Scarab will be: Ashmunrah help atoning for his sins, help in his rebirth and providing him with the eternal life. It will be also his Artefact as he is a keeper of ancient secrets.
History Context:
In ancient Egypt, Scarabs were assumed as a creatures which held great religious power. They were representing God of Morning Sun- Kephri 2 with connection to the God of Sun- Ra3. Kephri was believed to have pushed the sun each morning into sky- this was connected how Scarabs been pushing dung balls and the “magical” way of their offspring birth from the dung ball which they pushed and created in process of the clearing area. Why magical? As it looked like that creatures appeared from nowhere.
Scarabs were a symbol of renewal and rebirth or more as eternal life and rebirth.
The emblem of scarabs been used in: jewellery, seals and were chiselled into tomb walls.
The purpose:
- Jewellery they supposed to protect the owner from the dangers of the present life/world, please with the mummies was to help
- Seals-
- Placed within the bandages of mummies, they were symbolically identifies with the heart protection of the deceased. Scarabs supposed to help deceased to be viewed positive by gods of the underworld when being judged (judgment test). They are 3 types of funerary scarabs:
- Heart Scarabs Large Size
- Pectoral Scarabs Medium Size,
- Naturalistic Scarabs small ones
In Tibia:
The large size of the item suggests identification as Heart Scarab. Heart Scarabs usually had engraved spells from the…. Book of the Dead (Egyptian).
It is loot from Pharaoh Ashmunrah.
Ashmunrah was a predecessor of Arkhothep – current Pharaoh of Ankrahmun, who is also direct son of Ashmunrah. During Ashmunrah reign, he was supported by Vizier Mahatheb. Mahatheb was the one who recognised threat from Arkhothep. As per him, Ashmunrah was a good ruler until his son started to poison his mind and heart. 4 It was years, where Arkhothep was corrupting Ashmunrah rein and then he assembled 7 of his conspirators. This suggests that his own son plotted Ashmunrah’s fall and possibly was responsible for Ashmunrah’s death. In “Morgathla Reveals the Secrets of the Mask” 5 we learn that Arkhothep “ He had secretly erected this unholy shrine underneath the great pyramid he had planned to use as the final resting place for his father.” The magic of the shrine was powerful, but the dark magic was involved in that. In “ The Great Pyramid and the Undying Pharaoh” Ashmunrah tomb is called “tombs of despair”. It is same place which provides us a power to merge It is said “So great was the wisdom of Arkhothep that he granted his father eternal unlife, so that he may to atone for his sins and become worthy of ascension.” Egyptians believes that when you die and you’re heard is heavy with sins, you failed and could not go to the afterlife. It means, Ashmunrah is not worthy of afterlife, despite of him being buried with the Scarab (to help to pass the test). It is important to mention that it had to be Arkhothep order to put Holy Scarab with his father’s body- which was act of mercifulness. Or perhaps was it to curse him with the eternal life in this world…?
Now discrepancies’ in books are present due to author’s personal perspective and influence of the ruler (as it was always in history!). So the interpretations looks more of less like this:
Ashmunrah good rules, later corrupted by Arkhothep | Ashmunrah bad ruler, Arkhothep saving Ankrahmun by conspiracy |
Arkhothep reason of Ashmunrah fall and death | Arkhothep protects the city from fathers wrong doings by organising conspiracy |
Ashmunrah is not worthy to pass to afterlife for his action when bein corrupted and stuck in his tomb (Arkhothep is taking credit and make people believe he is a merciful) | Arkhothep gifiting his father unlife to atone his sins |
Arkhothep order to put Holy Scarab due to consciousness and guilt | Arkhothep order to put Holy Scarab due to his love to his father and believe he will |
Arkhothep uses unholy grands to put curse on his father and draw magic powers from there | Arkhothep uses unholy grands as a punishment for his father actions |
Arkhothep want to steal secrets which Ashmunrah possess | Ashmunrah ally with evil Green Djinn and Ancient Scarabs 7 |
There is also additional meaning to it. Ashmunrah free speech says that Ancient Scarabs and Green Djinns are his allies and underlings (those are his summons). It also says that none will steal his secrets. It is know that Ancient Scarabs are “to be the keepers of mysterious secrets swallowed by the sands long time ago”. It would make Ashmunrah the Pharaoh of Ancient Secrets with his artefact as a Holy Scarab.
Questions involved in subject:
Did Arkhothep has sacrificed his father’s life to learn secrets from Morgathla?
What is the connection between Morgathla and Ashmunrah(blood bond)? (both holders of ancient secrets and capable summoning ancient scarabs)
From where Arkhothep has drawn his powers? Was he corrupted by Variphor considering connection to Morgathla?
- https://www.tibia.com/forum/?action=thread&postid=38713795#post38713795
- https://www.egyptabout.com/2012/10/mythology-meaning-of-egyptian-scarab.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scarab_(artifact)
- https://tibia.fandom.com/wiki/Mahatheb_the_Vizier_(Book)
- https://tibia.fandom.com/wiki/Morgathla_Reveals_the_Secrets_of_the_Mask_(Book)
- https://tibia.fandom.com/wiki/The_Great_Pyramid_and_the_Undying_Pharaoh_(Book)
- https://tibia.fandom.com/wiki/Ashmunrah
- https://tibia.fandom.com/wiki/Ancient_Scarab
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