Phidias (merchant)
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Phidias was a wealthy Greek merchant who resided in Alexandria, Egypt with his daughter Kara during the 1st century BCE. In 48 BCE, he hired the Medjay Bayek to serve as a bodyguard for Kara while she returned home from the docks with her horse, Pegasus.
Biography[edit | edit source]
Phidias was a merchant who operated and sold luxurious goods in the docks north of Alexandria. Due to his work and his wife's death, Phidias was often unable to take care of his daughter Kara, leading him to hire bodyguards to escort and protect her, but many would often meet an unfortunate fate.[1]
In 48 BCE, a flood destroyed most of his cargo. Notwithstanding this, he bemoaned the loss of Arikonos, Kara's latest bodyguard who had been slain by bandits and fed to jackals. In need of another escort for his daughter one day for her return home, Phidias resorted to asking random passersby for their service in exchange for a hefty sum of money. Because of his selectivity, he faced difficulties in his search until he encountered the Medjay Bayek of Siwa.[1] Recognizing Bayek's Medjay badge, Phidias was eager to hire him, and the Medjay himself accepted with the understanding that he was to secure the transport of treasure. It was only when the merchant brought Bayek to his cargo at the docks that the Medjay learned that this treasure was in fact Kara. Despite his shock and reservations, Bayek agreed to continue helping Phidias.[1]
Later that evening, Phidias, worried for Kara's safety, having expected her for a reception, he decided to look for both Kara and Bayek. After a little searching, he discovered Kara in the market near the east gate of the city but with Bayek missing. Kara reassured her father that Bayek had not deserted her but was instead tending to her horse Pegasus. To downplay the situation, she lied that Pegasus had a slight problem with one of his newly outfitted shoes; in reality, he had just been stolen by a thief.[1]
To their fortune, Bayek returned with Pegasus at that very moment. Having warmed up to the Medjay, Kara enthusiastically requested Bayek to be her permanent bodyguard, to which Phidias asked him for his price. Bayek, knowing that his duties prevented him from staying in Alexandria long-term, declined the offer.[1]
Personality and traits[edit | edit source]
The merchant Phidias adored his daughter, Kara, dearly, doting on her and providing her with a privileged upbringing through his great wealth. He had faith that she would grow up to be of great benefit to the city of Alexandria. Because of his business, he often could not look after her and always ensured that she had a bodyguard to protect her. This was to the extent that he was even willing to hire random passersby on the streets of Alexandria when she lacked an escort home one day. Even so, he was a down-to-earth man, and he refrained from employing any man he feared might be dishonourable or even merely too handsome that he might seduce his daughter.[1]
Despite the waning influence and near extinction of the Medjay by his time, Phidias respected and trusted the ancient police force, hiring Bayek on the spot. On the other hand, his love for Kara was enough to give him second thoughts about the Medjay when evening approached, and he began to worry that she might not arrive home after all. When his fears were proven unfounded, he expressed utmost gratitude to Bayek, impressed with his daughter's praise of him, and pronouncing him the "hero of the day". Accordingly, he approved Kara's request to hire his services permanently, but he also was not one to begrudge Bayek when the Medjay had to decline due to his larger duties.[1]
Although Kara was somewhat spoiled by Phidias, he was not above passing her a stern word or two, such as in regards to her incident with Arikonos. Unlike stereotypical merchants of his wealth and luxurious living, he himself was a hardworking man prone to stressing over not just her welfare, but the productivity of his workers.[1]
Gallery[edit | edit source]
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Phidias hiring Bayek
Appearances[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]