Thebes, City of the Living. Crown jewel of Pharaoh Seti I. Home of Imhotep, Pharaoh's high priest, keeper of the dead; birthplace of Anck-Su-Namun, Pharaoh's mistress. No other man was allowed to touch her. But for their love, they were willing to risk life itself. To resurrect Anck-Su-Namun, Imhotep and his priests broke into her crypt and stole her body. They raced deep into the desert, taking Anck-Su-Namun's corpse to Hammunaptra, City of the Dead, ancient burial site for the sons of pharaohs, and resting place for the wealth of Egypt. For his love, Imhotep dared the gods' anger by going deep into the city, where he took the black Book of the Dead from its holy resting place. Anck-Su-Namun's soul had been sent to the dark Underworld, her vital organs removed and placed in five sacred canopic jars. Anck-Su-Namun's soul had come back from the dead. But Pharaoh's bodyguards had followed Imhotep, and stopped him before the ritual could be completed. Imhotep's priests were condemned to be mummified alive. As for Imhotep, he was condemned to endure the Hom-Dai, the worst of all ancient curses. One so horrible, it had never before been bestowed. He was to remain sealed inside his sarcophagus, the undead for all eternity. The Medjai would never allow him to be released. For he would arise a walking disease, a plague upon mankind, an unholy flesh-eater with the strength of the ages, power over the sands, and the glory of invincibility. For 3,000 years men and armies fought over this land, never knowing what evil lay beneath it; and for 3,000 years we, the Medjai, the descendants of Pharaoh's sacred bodyguards, kept watch.
6th most-quoted character in The Mummy (1999): in 5 of its 49 quotes
Most scenes with: Evelyn (2)
Know this, this creature is the bringer of death. He will never eat, he will never sleep, and he will never stop.
More lines from Ardeth Bey
1 quoteScenes with Ardeth Bey
3 scenesWe are part of an ancient secret society. For over three thousand years we have guarded the City of the Dead. We are sworn at manhood to do any and all in our power to stop the High Priest Imhotep from being reborn into this world.
And now because of you, we have failed.
And you think this justifies the killing of innocent people?
To stop this creature? Let me think...
YES!
When I saw him alive at Hamunaptra, he called me "Anck-Su-Namun." And just now when we were at Mr. Burn's quarters, he tried to kiss me.
It's because of his love for Anck-Su-Namun that he was cursed. Apparently, even after 3000 years...
He's still in love with her.
Yes, that is very romantic, but what has it got to do with me?
perhaps he will once again try to raise her from the dead.
Yes. And it appears he has already chosen his human sacrifice (He and Ardeth look pointedly at Evelyn)
Bad luck, old mum.
Who the hell are these guys?
Priests. Imhotep's priests.
Alright then. [Fires]
