Historical tradition and some modern archaeological theories suggest that King Menes (also known as Narmer), the legendary first pharaoh who unified Upper and Lower Egypt, met his end after being attacked by a hippopotamus during a hunt. According to the ancient historian Manetho, Menes was "carried off by a hippopotamus and perished" after a 62-year reign. Additionally, modern CT scans of King Tutankhamun have led some Egyptologists to speculate that his severe chest injuries and missing ribs could have been the result of a hippo attack during a royal hunt, though malaria and a broken leg remain the leading scientific theories for his death. In 2026, the hippo is still recognized as one of Africa's most dangerous animals; in Ancient Egypt, they were symbols of both chaos and protection, making a "death by hippo" a significant and symbolic end for a ruler.