Cult of Wadjet: Difference between revisions
imported>Sadelyrate No edit summary |
imported>Sadelyrate mNo edit summary |
||
| Line 23: | Line 23: | ||
==Reference== | ==Reference== | ||
{{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
{{ACO}} | |||
[[Category:Cults]] | [[Category:Cults]] | ||
Revision as of 08:23, 28 August 2018
The Cult of Wadjet was a group working in Faiyum, Egypt during the 1st century BCE that worshipped Wadjet, the snake goddess who was revered as a patron and protector of all Egypt.
History
Early operations
The cultists led by Sheshanka sought to eliminate Greek influence in the Faiyum, if not all of Egypt. To this end, they conducted acts of sabotage towards Greek residents in various towns in the Faiyum, such as killing priests of Serapis in the Sarapeion of Karanis, as well as harassing the Greek quarter in Soknopaiou Nesos. Sheshanka later took on the role of a caretaker, to prevent the cult from being discovered while allowing them to continue their raids.[1]
One way the cult spread chaos and the rumours of "Wadjet's curse" was by the snakes they bred in a cave beneath the temple ruins in Soknopaiou Nesos. These snakes the cult smuggled into the Greek Quarter of the town, and let them loose. By 48 BCE, they had succeeded in driving out numerous Greeks out of Faiyum. However, this also caught the attention of the Medjay, Bayek of Siwa, was was passing through the area while hunting the members of the Order of the Ancients.[2]
End of the cult
In 48 BCE, Bayek met a stuttering orator, Nanefer, who directed him to the Greek quarters to start his investigation. True enough, he arrived only to discover another act of sabotage had occurred, resulting in the deaths of two Greek residents. Sheshanka, who was also present, invited Bayek to the cave beneath the temple and join the cult, intending to eliminate him. When Bayek eventually did visit the cave, Sheshanka confronted the Medjay with his followers, while also kidnapping Nanefer and bringing him to the Pannouki Hideout, intending to use him as a sacrifice.[2]
Bayek was able to eliminate Sheshanka and free Nanefer from the hideout, thus dismantling the cult's operations and restoring harmony between Egyptians and Greeks in the Faiyum.[2]
Gallery
-
Mask of Wadjet used by the cultists
Appearance
Reference