Who is Bayek Based On? A Founding Father Forgotten by Time
Bayek of Siwa is arguably one of the most important figures in Assassin‘s Creed lore. As the protagonist of Origins released in 2017, he brought to life the previously unseen origins of the Brotherhood. While a fictional hero devised by Ubisoft, Bayek draws clear inspiration from ancient Egypt‘s real-world Medjay warriors. From his weapons and abilities to the creed he establishes, we can uncover rich historical threads interwoven with fantastic elements to serve the lore.
Yet despite kickstarting the Assassin Order itself, Bayek oddly fades into obscurity in subsequent games and history itself – a fascinating incongruity this article tries to explore.
The Medjay – Ancient Egypt‘s Desert Guardians
The Medjay people were originally nomads hailing from Nubia (modern Sudan) before migrating to Upper Egypt and serving its Pharaohs over centuries as scouts, police and elite soldiers.
The Medjay Timeline
| Era | Key Events |
|---|---|
| Pre-Dynasty Egyptians (c. 2400 BCE) | First recorded Medjay military service |
| Old & Middle Kingdom (c. 2055-1650 BCE) | Pharaohs utilize Medjay scouts and infantry |
| New Kingdom (c. 1550 – 700 BCE) | Medjay gain more prestigious roles like police captains around this peak era |
| Third Intermediate Period (c. 1069 – 525 BCE) | Gradual decline of Medjay influence |
| Persian Occupation (525 BCE onwards) | Medjay fade from records as Egypt loses independence |
The Medjay were renowned for their excellent fighting capabilities, mastery of Egypt‘s eastern deserts and trade routes, and loyalty to the throne rather than local leaders. Their disappearance coincided with Egypt‘s loss of self-rule under the Persians.
Bayek encapsulates many signature traits of Medjay during their apex – martial skill, wilderness aptitude, fierce loyalty and high authority within Egypt‘s governance system answerable only to the Pharaoh.
Bayek – Blending Fact and Fiction
As evident above, Bayek has a lot in common with the real Medjay upon whom his character is based. But as a playable protagonist, he also wears the cloak of creative extrapolations and hero tropes tailored for satisfying gameplay.
Name Meaning
Bayek (بيك) likely means "falcon" or "vulture" in the Ancient Egyptian language, evoking symbols of speed, power and high sensory perception. This suits Bayek‘s partner eagle Senu perfectly. It may also metaphorically reference swift and implacable retribution against his enemies.
Outfits & Weapons
Bayek‘s visual design aligns well with Medjay attire and armaments – he sports light armor with leather, linen and golden accents, wields swords, scepters, bows etc. His iconic Hidden Blade even resembles traditional Nubian wrist knives.
Special Abilities
Eagle Vision and parkour agility offer more speculative enhancements that aid covert assassinations in keeping with lore traditions. Historically, Medjay relied more on swordsmanship, archery skills, desert survivalism and local alliances.
Cultural Role
While real Medjay affectionately integrated into Egyptian society at high ranks, Bayek faces more friction as a protector opposing the regime‘s corruption. This divergence from history serves narrative goals around the Brotherhood‘s persecuted underdog origins battling tyranny.
So Bayek authentically channels the Medjay‘s faded golden era into a hero molded to pioneer the Creed from the shadows of Egypt‘s sociopolitical tensions of the time.
Founding Father – Bayek‘s Pivotal Contributions
As possibly Ubisoft‘s best effort at historically plausible storytelling, Bayek compellingly sets into motion several Assassin traditions:
The Hidden Ones
Bayek and wife Aya realize organized resistance is needed against the sinister Order of Ancients manipulating rulers like Ptolemy. They establish a network of allies called The Hidden Ones across Egypt – laying the foundations of the Brotherhood.
Principles & Techniques
The early Hidden Ones‘ covert methods of information gathering, infiltration and assassination become Assassin hallmarks. And their maxim "Nothing is true, everything is permitted" encapsulates their creed of questioning the status quo.
Iconography
The emblem of the eagle, symbolizing vision and aerial swiftness, is adopted from Bayek‘s partner Senu. The famous Leap of Faith maneuver also emerges from Egypt‘s architecture.
So Bayek spearheads numerous traditions intrinsic to the Brotherhood, giving lasting shape to the creed. Yet why does such a seminal figure fade from prominence and memory?
Theories on Why Bayek Got Forgotten
Bayek slips rather ungracefully into obscurity despite his unmatched significance. Even lore buffs rarely seem to acknowledge his utterly integral contributions. What explanations might account for this?
Intentional Ubisoft Twist
AC plots often explore how history misremembers key events. Perhaps Ubisoft deliberately relegated its progenitor hero to introduce a big plot twist later around why the Medjay-descended founder got whitewashed.
Medjay Marginalization
Just as the Medjay disappeared in reality after centuries of relevance, so too perhaps the half-Medjay Bayek faced similar sidelining. Elder games may metaphorically reflect their tragic decline into families of later Assassins.
Desire for Mystique
Leaving origins shrouded in mystery sustains intrigue around the Creed‘s genesis. While unsatisfactory to some fans, maybe Ubisoft wishes to retain that enigma around Bayek‘s era.
These theories offer interesting food for thought! As an avowed Bayek supporter, I do hope we see this underrated legend restored to prominence with a fitting capstone to his tale one day.
