Bes Panteos and Nehebkau on papyrus VII - IV centuries BCE from the Brooklyn Museum in New York.
Bes stands opposite (nhb kȝw, “unifying souls”). It was believed that Nehebkau guards the entrance to the underworld, and is also a companion of the god Ra, protecting him during the night travels, accompanying the Lord of all things through the twelve valleys of Duat. The Nehebkau snake holds in his hands the newborn sun that has risen, here is depicted the moment of the transfer of authority to protect the solar deity from Nehebkau to Bes. Bes Panteos on this papyrus has one pair of arms, but then - eight wings. And, in addition to the bird’s tail, Bes also has a crocodile tail.
As late as the 19th century, local residents told foreigners visiting Luxor about a dwarf dancing at night in the ruins of the Karnak temple of Amon.
Here’s our friend The High Snake again!
