BEES AND BEEKEEPING IN ANCIENT EGYPT

Abstract

Throughout the ancient Egyptian history until the Roman times,[i] the bee was a favored insect by the ancient Egyptians.[ii] It was used as a symbol of Kingship in Lower Egypt and appeared in ancient texts and tomb monuments.[iii] It was also linked to several major gods and was mentioned in the Pyramid texts and the ancient Egyptian Mythology. Its honey was included in several religious rituals, was presented as offerings not only to the gods but also to the dead and was used in many aspects of their lives.[iv]Historical evidences today show that the ancient Egyptians were the first to practice beekeeping in history. The earliest evidence of such practice was as early as the Fifth Dynasty, Old Kingdom, in the sun temple of king Nyuserra, which contains a relief depicting beekeeping.[v] This article will focus on the nature, name of bees, historical evidence of beekeeping, its culture and religious role in ancient Egypt. Bibliography [i]G.T. THOMAS, ‘Religious Background for Virgil’s Bee Symbol in the Georgics’, Vergilius (1959-) No.24 (1978),32. [ii] M.R. BUNSON, Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt (New York, 2002), 67. [iii]THOMAS, Vergilius (1959-) No.24 (1978), 32. [iv] N. B. HANSEN, ‘Insects’, in B.D. REDFORD (ed.), The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt, vol.2 (Oxford, 2001), 161. [v]G. KRITSKY, The Quest for the Perfect Hive, A History of Innovation in Bee Culture (Oxford, 2010), 11