Who was Bes?
Q: Who was Bes?
A: Bes was an ancient Egyptian god of protection of pregnant women, newborn babies, and the family.
Q: What did Bes wear?
A: Bes wore a lion's skin and was a dwarf.
Q: How did Bes scare away demons during birth?
A: Bes danced around the room, shaking his rattle and yelling to scare away demons that might put a curse on the child.
Q: What did Egyptians believe when a baby laughed or smiled for no reason?
A: Egyptians believed that Bes was somewhere in the room making funny faces.
Q: What was Bes's name connected to?
A: Bes's name appears to be connected to a Nubian word for cat, besa, which literally means protector.
Q: Why was Bes singled out as worthy of worship in Egypt?
A: Bes was naturally singled out as worthy of worship in Egypt because Egyptians kept cats in order to attack snakes and creatures that might ruin crop stores, such as mice.
Q: What was Bes's role after a child was born?
A: After the child was born, Bes would stay by him/her.
