MERETSEGER

[Egyptian] "She Who Loves Silence", the Egyptian goddess of the mountain overlooking the Valley of the Kings. She was a cobra goddess who would spit venom at anyone attempting to disturb one of the Valley's royal tombs. Occasionally she would also manifest herself as a scorpion with a woman's head. Meretseger was especially revered by the inhabitants of Deir el-Medina who were responsible for building the royal tombs. The "Lady of the Peak", as they called her, was believed to strike at workers who committed crimes. If the victim repented of his or her actions the goddess was merciful and would heal the wound she had inflicted.