Who is the central historical protagonist of Assassin's Creed Origins?

Bayek of Siwa is the central historical protagonist of Assassin's Creed Origins.

Bayek is a Medjay, a protector and lawkeeper in Ptolemaic Egypt. The game follows his search for those responsible for attacks on his family while showing the political struggle surrounding Cleopatra and Ptolemy XIII. Aya, Bayek's wife, is also a major playable character and an important collaborator.

Origins takes place mainly in Egypt during the first century BCE. Its story depicts the origins of the Hidden Ones, the organization that later becomes the Assassin Brotherhood. Bayek and Aya establish this group after witnessing how political power and secret societies affect ordinary people.

A common mix-up is naming Aya as the sole protagonist because she has crucial missions and historical importance. However, Bayek is the game's primary playable character and the figure whose journey anchors the narrative. Origins was released in 2017 and significantly expanded the series' role-playing systems.