DOI: 10.33547/Aegypt2025.20
A group of Egyptian scarabs with the image of Bes standing between two bound prisoners
by: Joachim Śliwa 
in: M.A. Jucha, J. Dębowska-Ludwin, G. Bąk-Pryc (eds), Per vias Aegypti et Orientis Medii. Studies Presented to Krzysztof M. Ciałowicz, Kraków: Institute of Archaeology Jagiellonian University, Archaeologica Foundation, Profil-Archeo Publishing House, 2025, pp. 219-222.
Abstract: The focus of the paper is iconographical analysis of the scene with Bes and two bound prisoners, represented on the bases of scarabs from the times of the New Kingdom onward. The scene has an apotropaic meaning – it was probably intended to protect the owner of the scarab from all evil and to bring good fortune. The message is sometimes additionally reinforced by such elements as a cartouche with the name Menkheperre/Tuthmosis III (which according to the rules of cryptography translates as Amun), a vulture, or a crocodile. Furthermore, the discussed apotropaic scene links with a similarly composed motif of monkeys adoring a palm tree, which additionally strengthens its effect.