This film is a prequel to a prequel of a sequel of a remake. That is, it is the prequel to The Scorpion King (2002), which is a prequel to The Mummy Returns (2001), which is a sequel to The Mummy (1999) which is a remake of The Mummy (1932).
Narration at the start of the original The Scorpion King takes states the story takes place 'before the time of the pyramids' yet in this prequel Layla talks about going to see the pyramids in Egypt.
When asked why Mathayus doesn't want to be a king, he replies that it's 'not my cup of tea'. Tea spread to the western world through traders in the 17th century A.D. An Akkadian from the 3rd century B.C. would not use such an expression as he would never have even heard of 'tea'.
Ari: But the truth of the matter was Mathayus did have a fondness for battles and killing. And though he loved Layla, the blood of a warrior and the scorpion's dark venom still coursed through his veins. It would drive him out into the wide world for further adventures and further battles until one day perhaps he would return to become the Scorpion King. That is the subject for another tale.