Ancient Egypt, Third Intermediate Period Steatite Scarab of Neferkare, Ex MUSEUM. Spanish Export License.

ITEM: Scarab of Neferkare
MATERIAL: Steatite
CULTURE: Egyptian
PERIOD: Third Intermediate Period, 25th Dynasty, 713 - 698 B.C
DIMENSIONS: 7 mm x 11 mm
CONDITION: Good condition
PROVENANCE: Ex Museum Exhibiton of the Arbeitsgruppe für Biblische Archäologie, Germany (Deaccession)

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The Scarab of Pharaoh Shabako, identified by his prenomen (throne name) Neferkare, serves as an important artifact connecting the Kushite rulers of the 25th Dynasty to the ancient traditions of Egyptian kingship. Shabako, who reigned approximately from 713–698 B.C., was a Nubian pharaoh who successfully consolidated Kushite control over the whole of Egypt, reviving many old Egyptian customs and commissioning extensive building works. The appearance of his royal name, Neferkare ("Beautiful is the Soul of Re"), on a scarab is significant because the scarab beetle itself was a potent symbol of the sun god Khepri, representing rebirth, regeneration, and the daily cycle of the sun. By inscribing his name onto this powerful amulet, Shabako not only reinforced his divine authority but also firmly positioned himself as a legitimate successor to the pharaohs of Egypt's glorious past, even adopting the prenomen of the Sixth Dynasty ruler Pepi II.

Shabako’s royal-name scarabs were typically crafted from materials like hematite, blue faience, or glazed steatite and were small, worn as protective amulets, personal seals, or integrated into jewelry. These scarabs played a crucial dual role: they served a practical administrative function as seals, confirming royal decree or ownership, and an apotropaic, ritual function, providing protection and guaranteeing the pharaoh's success and eternal existence. Notably, the 25th Dynasty revived the tradition of creating large, commemorative scarabs—a practice originally associated with the powerful New Kingdom pharaoh Amenhotep III. These larger pieces were often used to advertise major royal achievements, such as military victories, thereby functioning as important political and diplomatic propaganda across the empire.

The legacy of the Neferkare Shabako scarab lies in its ability to embody the political and cultural agenda of the 25th Dynasty. As Kushites, these rulers needed to visibly demonstrate their piety and commitment to Egyptian state religion to secure the support of the influential Egyptian clergy and populace. By producing numerous artifacts like the royal-name scarabs, often mimicking classical Egyptian styles while maintaining their distinct Kushite identity, Shabako cemented the legitimacy of his rule over both the Delta and the Thebais. These ubiquitous small objects, recovered widely across Egypt and the Levant, confirm the extent of his consolidated control and his successful adoption of the millennia-old symbols of Egyptian royal power and divine protection.