A frog goddess of Egypt, the symbol of new life, this deity is mentioned in the pyramid texts as assisting the dead pharaohs in their ascent to the heavens. petosiris’s tomb in the tuna el-gebel (c. 300 b.c.e.) contains a text in her honor. The cultic center of Heket was at qus. In the Middle Kingdom (2040-1640 b.c.e.) she was a protector of households and pregnant women, fashioning children in the womb. In some eras she was associated with the god khnum and with osiris. seti i (r. 1306-1290 b.c.e.) was depicted making offerings to Heket in his abydos temple. The frog aspects of the Heket cult relate to the fact that these amphibians appeared each year as the Nile floods began. As such, frogs heralded the rebirth and regeneration of Egypt when the nation received the Nile waters. she was the consort of another frog deity, Hek, or Hakut.
Heliopolis (On, Iunu, Iunet Mehet) This city was called on in ancient times and now serves as a suburb of modern Cairo, the cult center of re-Atum. pithom (2), the Estate of atum, was erected on the site, and Heliopo-lis was a religious and political power center. The original name was Iunu, “the Pillar,” or Iunet Mehet, “the Northern pillar.”
The temple dominating Heliopolis was called “Atum the Complete One” and was a lavish complex. The priests serving the cult of Re-Atum were learned and politically active. They also conducted shrines for the bennu, Re-Horakhte, and the mnevis bull. The ennead, the pantheon of the nine deities of creation, evolved out of the cosmological traditions of Heliopolis and was revered throughout Egypt. Heliopolis, in its association with
Atum, was also known as the primeval mound. The cos-mogonic teachings of the city remained influential for many centuries, and the rulers began to assume their royal titles from Re and his divine powers early in Egypt’s history.
Only a single obelisk, taken from the temple of sen-wosret i (r. 1971-1926 b.c.e.) at Heliopolis, now marks the site of the once famed center of religion and learning. A stela discovered at Heliopolis commemorated offerings also made by tuthmosis iii (r. 1479-1425 b.c.e.). He provided gifts for the temple of Re and renovated the city complex with red quartzite from gebel el-ahmar. Another stela gave an account of ramesses ii (r. 1290-1224 b.c.e.) of the Nineteenth Dynasty, who also honored the city. Temple inscriptions dating to the Twelfth Dynasty (1991-1783 b.c.e.), or a copy from one of that era, were also discovered inscribed on leather there.
A secondary temple was built at Heliopolis by amen-hotep iii (r. 1391-1353 b.c.e.), and black granite column fragments remain on the site. sethnakhte (r. 1196-1194 b.c.e.) and merenptah (r. 1224-1214 b.c.e.) added to this shrine. The inscriptions on these fragments are in the form of a poem and praise senwosret i for the restoration of a temple there. A predynastic (before 3,000 b.c.e.) necropolis was found on the site. An unknown goddess, Iusaasit, was once worshiped there.
Hemaka (fl. 28th century b.c.e.)
Chancellor and vizier of the First Dynasty
He served den (r. 2850 b.c.e.) in a variety of court roles and then as chancellor of Lower Egypt. Hemaka was the first to conduct affairs as a vizier, as Den instituted that office. His tomb in saqqara contained rich funerary offerings and a stela bearing the name of Den, as well as a description of the mummification process. Den is depicted as a seated mummified form in Hemaka’s tomb. Hemaka’s name was also found on jar sealings and labels at abydos and Saqqara. The tomb contained 42 storage chambers, an ivory label of djer (r. c. 2900 b.c.e.), alabaster and pottery vases, flints, adzes, and arrows. A famous Hennu Boat of sokar was made for Hemaka.
Hemamiyeh
This was a predynastic (before 3,000 b.c.e.) settlement in the central part of the Nile Valley that testifies to community life in Egypt’s earliest historic times. There are remains of circular residential structures at Hemamiyeh, which date to the Badarian cultural sequence (4500-4000 b.c.e.).
hemet
This was the ancient Egyptian word for wife, used in all social groups, royal, aristocratic, or commoner.
Hemetch
A serpent demon concerned with the deceased in their journey through the tuat, or Underworld. Hemetch was depicted in the pyramid of unis (r. 2356-2323 b.c.e.) of the Fifth Dynasty. The supernatural creature was one of many perils faced by the newly dead, but spells and incantations provided by the various mortuary cults allowed the deceased to placate Hemetch and to assure their safe arrival in osiris’s paradises. See also topic of the dead.
Hemiunu (fl. 26th century b.c.e.)
Prince of the Fourth Dynasty
He was the son of Prince neferma’at and Princess atet, and a nephew of khufu (Cheops; r. 2551-2528 b.c.e.). Serving as the vizier and seal bearer for Khufu, he was also in charge of the construction of the Great pyramid at giza. His tomb was built at the base of that famed monument. Hemiunu was the only private individual allowed to place a self-portrait statue within his tomb, which is of the mastaba design. such a statue, now in Hildesheim, Germany, depicts Hemiunu as a robust, heavyset man.
Hemiunu was also the courtier involved in the reburial of the mortuary regalia of Queen hetepheres (1), Khufu’s royal mother. Her original tomb had been robbed, and her mummified remains were missing. Hemi-unu reburied a cache of magnificent furniture and personal effects belonging to Queen Hetepheres.
Heneb
An ancient deity of Egypt, associated with agriculture in the earliest eras. One of his cultic symbols was grain. In time the god osiris became popular in the land, assuming the role of patron of harvests and grains. As a result, Heneb’s cult disappeared into the new osirian rituals.
Henenu (fl. 21st century b.c.e.)
Agricultural official of the Eleventh Dynasty
He served montuhotep ii (r. 2061-2010 b.c.e.) as a steward and overseer of the royal herds. This position required him to collect taxes and serve as the pharaoh’s legate in some territories of the country. Henenu was buried at deir el-bahri, on the western shore of thebes. Montuhotep ii built an elaborate mortuary complex there and honored Henenu by providing him burial space within the complex.
Henhenit (fl. 21st century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the Eleventh Dynasty
She was a consort of montuhotep ii (r. 2061-2010 b.c.e.) but not the mother of the heir. Henhenit was buried in the vast mortuary complex of Montuhotep II at deir el-bahri, on the western shore of thebes. Her mummified remains were found intact in 1911. Her sarcophagus was made of limestone blocks.
Hent (1) (fl. 30th century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the First Dynasty
She was a consort of aha (r. c. 2920 b.c.e.). Aha is the legendary Menes. Hent, a lesser ranked wife in Aha’s court, gave birth to the heir, djer.
Hent (2) (fl. 19th century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the Twelfth Dynasty
She was a consort of senwosret ii (r. 1897-1878 b.c.e.) but was not the mother of the heir. Hent was buried near Senwosret II at lahun in the faiyum.
Henu (fl. 20th century b.c.e.)
Expedition leader of the Eleventh Dynasty
He served montuhotep iii (r. 2010-1998 b.c.e.) as an expedition leader in the Mediterranean region. His achievements were inscribed on the rocks of wadi ham-mamat, dated to Montuhotep Ill’s eighth year of reign. Henu was governor of Upper Egypt’s southern domain. He led an army from oxyrrhyncus (1) and gebelein to the Wadi Hammamat to quarry stone for royal statues of the pharaoh. He also outfitted a ship for an expedition to punt, probably modern Ethiopia.
Henutempet (fl. 16th century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the Seventeenth Dynasty
She was a consort of Sekenenre ta’oii (r. c. 1560 b.c.e.). Henutempet was buried in Dra-abu el-Naga, near Thebes. She perhaps preceded Queen tetisheri or served as a lesser-ranked wife.
Henuten (fl. 15th century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the Eighteenth Dynasty
She was a daughter of tuthmosis iii (r. 1479-1425 b.c.e.). Henuten was not the ranking princess of the reign, probably an offspring of a lesser wife.
Henutmire (fl. 13th century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the Nineteenth Dynasty
She was a consort of ramesses ii (r. 1290-1224 b.c.e.) and a daughter of seti i. Henutmire was buried in the valley of queens, but the location of her tomb is now unknown. Part of Henutmire’s funerary regalia was taken by harsiese, a prince of the Twenty-second Dynasty, and used in his tomb at medinet habu. Henutmire’s granite sarcophagus, a funerary piece prepared for her burial, was also usurped by Harsiese.
Henutsen (fl. 26th century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the Fourth Dynasty
She was a consort of khufu (Cheops; r. 2551-2528 b.c.e.) and the mother of Prince Khufu-Khaf and possibly the heir, Khafre (Chephren). She was buried in a small pyramid beside Khufu’s Great pyramid at giza. Her tomb was listed in the inventory stela.
Henuttaneb (fl. 14th century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the Eighteenth Dynasty
She was a daughter of amenhotep iii (r. 1391-1353 b.c.e.) and Queen tiye (1). Henuttaneb is identified on a limestone relief celebrating Amenhotep Ill’s heb-sed festival. Her name also appears on ceramic vessels in tombs in the valley of the kings at thebes.
Henuttawy (Duathathor Hennuttawy) (fl. 11th century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the Twentieth and the Twenty-first Dynasties
She was the wife of pinudjem (1), a priest of thebes, and the daughter of ramesses xi (r. 1100-1070 b.c.e.) and Queen tantamun (1). She was the mother of psusennes i, masaharta, ma’atkare (1), menkheperresenb, and mutnodjmet (2). Henuttawy is famous because of her mummified face, which was overpacked during embalming. Her limbs were also packed and enlarged. The face of Henuttawy’s mummy was recently restored to normal size. A form of butter, soda, and sawdust was used in the first embalming process. Her mummy was in the deir el-bahri cache, discovered in 1881, and her original mirror box was discovered in her mummy wrappings.
Hepdjefau (fl. 19th century b.c.e.)
Nobleman and religious leader of the Twelfth Dynasty (1991-1783 b.c.e.) He was called the “superior of priests” and probably served several pharaohs of that dynasty. Hepdjefau is also known for his personal funerary contracts, which arranged for priests to offer food and prayers to him in his tomb on the first day of every season and on a special feast of osiris, the 18th day of the first month of the year.
Heptet
An ancient goddess associated with the cult of osiris throughout all periods of Egyptian history, Heptet was revered as one of the cow nurses attending osiris during reenactments of his resurrection. Heptet was often pictured as a woman with the head of a bearded snake. She was also part of the cult of the goddess hathor.
Hepu (fl. 14th century b.c.e.)
Vizier of the Eighteenth Dynasty
He served tuthmosis iv (r. 1401-1391 b.c.e.). Hepu’s tomb in thebes is noted for the relief containing the text called the installation of the vizier.
Hepzefa (fl. 20th century b.c.e.)
Official of the Twelfth Dynasty and a nomarch of the province of Assiut He served senwosret i (r. 1971-1926 b.c.e.) as a regional supporter. Hepzefa’s tomb at assiut contains a mortuary contract concerning the continuance of cultic rituals. His wife was Princess sennuwy, who was immortalized by a beautiful statue found in a fort in kermeh, nubia (modern sudan), and now in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
Herakleopolis Magna (Ihnasiyah el-Medineh, Nen-nesut, Nenen-nesut, Ninsu)
A site south of meidum at the entrance to the faiyum, now Ihnasiyah el-Medineh, originally called Nen-nesut, Nenen-nesut, or Ninsu by the Egyptians, Herakleopolis was the capital of the twentieth nome of Upper Egypt and the cult center for harsaphes (Her-shef). The site was settled as early as the First Dynasty (2920-2770 b.c.e.) but rose to prominence in the First Intermediate Period (2134-2040 b.c.e.). The name Herakleopolis Magna was bestowed upon the site by the rulers of the Ptolemaic Period (304-30 b.c.e.). In the First intermediate period, Herakleopolis was the home of the khety (Aktoy) clan. During the Khety period of rule (2134-2040 b.c.e.), a canal linked Herakleopolis Magna to Memphis. Montuhotep ii attacked the site in 2040 b.c.e. when he started his campaign to reunite Egypt.
The temple of Harsaphes, a ram-headed deity, was restored at Herakleopolis Magna by ramesses ii (r. 1290-1224 b.c.e.). A granite triad of Ramesses II, ptah, and Harsaphes was also erected in Herakleopolis Magna. An Old Kingdom (2575-2134 b.c.e.) shrine and a necropolis, gebel el-sidmant, are on the site.
Herihor (fl. 11th century b.c.e.)
High Priest of Amun at Thebes, who usurped pharaonic powers He began his career in the reign of ramesses xi (1100-1070 b.c.e.). Possibly of Libyan descent, Herihor served as a general and as the viceroy of Kush after being sent to thebes to put down rebellions there. He ousted the local high priest, ramessesnakht, and the viceroy, piankhi (2) and then assumed their offices himself. He married nodjmet. Assuming pharaonic titles and dress, Herihor ruled in Thebes, while smendes administered the northern territories for the reclusive Ramesses xi. Both he and Nodjmet used cartouches on their funerary regalia, and Herihor was depicted in a relief in karnak’s temple of Khonsu. Elsewhere he was portrayed wearing the double crowns of Egypt. A statue of him and one of his commemorative stelae also survived. Herihor was the official who sent wenamun on his misadventures in syria. Herihor preceded Ramesses xi in death. smendes, starting the Twenty-first Dynasty (1070-945 b.c.e.), succeeded Ramesses XI in the north, but the Theban priests maintained their powers.
Heri-hor-Amun A city on the western shore of thebes, called “My Face Is Upon Amun,” the site was the southern boundary of the Theban nome at one time but vanished over the centuries.
Herit (fl. 16th century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the Fifteenth Dynasty, the Great Hyksos royal line She was the daughter of apophis (r. 1585-1553 b.c.e.). Fragments of a vase bearing her name and royal rank were found in a Theban tomb. Nothing is known of her life. She lived during the time when the hyksos were ousted from Egypt by ‘ahmose (r. 1550-1525 b.c.e.).
Hermes Trismegistos
The Greek version of the Egyptian deity of wisdom, thoth, the adaptation involved the identification of Thoth as Hermes, and Trismegistos meant “Thrice Greatest.” The Egyptians called Thoth “A’a, A’a, A’a,” “Great, Great, Great,” in cul-tic rituals. An occult system emerged out of this designation both academic and popular. The theological and philosophical writings that developed as part of the cult were included in the 17 works of the corpus Her-meticum. They were composed in Greek. The popular Hermetic works included astrological and esoteric scientific pieces that mirrored occult or mythical views of the era. They were also an evolution of the Egyptian system of magic.
Hermopolis Magna (Khnum Khemenu, Ashsmun, Per-Djehuty)
This was a site on the west bank of the Nile near mallawi and el-Ashmunien in central Egypt. Originally called Khnum Khemenu, or Ashsmun, “the Eight Town” (in honor of the ogdoad), the site was also revered as Per-Djehuty, “the House of thoth.” A giant statue of Thoth as a baboon was erected there, as well as a temple for the god’s cult. nectanebo i (r. 380-362 b.c.e.) restored that temple, but it is now destroyed.
Hermopolis
Magna was the capital of the fifteenth nome of upper Egypt and was traditionally recorded as having been erected on a primal hill of creation. amen-hotep iii (r. 1391-1353 b.c.e.) erected a temple to Thoth on the site (rebuilt by Nectanebo I). A temple of amun made of limestone was started in Hermopolis Magna by merenptah (r. 1224-1214 b.c.e.) and finished by seti ii (r. 1214-1204 b.c.e.). A pylon and a hypostyle hall have survived. Ruins of an Old Kingdom (2575-2134 b.c.e.) shrine and a devotional center restored by hatshepsut (r. 1473-1458 b.c.e.) are also on the site, as well as two seated colossi statues of ramesses ii (r. 1290-1224 b.c.e.). The Ramessid structure at Hermopolis Magna used stones, called talatat, taken from ‘amarna, the razed capital of akhenaten (r. 1353-1335 b.c.e.), and contained many important reliefs. tuna el-gebel was the necropolis for Hermopolis Magna. The famous tomb of petosiris is located there. Three documents from the Twelfth Dynasty (1991-1783 b.c.e.) were also found on the site, as well as Ptolemaic Period (304-30 b.c.e.) statues.
Hermopolis Parva
This was a site south of modern El-Bagliya, called Ba’h in ancient times. Built on three mounds, Hermopolis parva had three major monuments. The first was at Tell el-Nagus and was a temple to the god thoth. The remains of the temple have bell-shaped ruins and are called “The Mounds of the Bull.” The second mound was used as a cemetery of ibises at Tell el-Zereiki. The third monument, located at tell el-rub’a, was a shrine to Thoth, erected by apries (r. 589-570 b.c.e.). A torso of nectanebo i (r. 380-362 b.c.e.) was also found there, as well as blocks of stone from psammetichus i (r. 664-610 b.c.e.).
Herneith (1) (fl. 30th century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the First Dynasty
She was the consort of djer (r. c. 2900 b.c.e.). Herneith was buried in saqqara, probably in the reign of Djer’s successor, djet. His jar sealings were found in her tomb, which had a stairway and a burial pit as well as surface chambers. she was the mother of Djet.
Herneith (2) (fl. 28th century b.c.e.)
(Royal woman of the First Dynasty
She was the consort of den (r. c. 2700 b.c.e.). Herneith was probably not the mother of the successor, adjib, but was a descendant of herneith (1).
Herodotus (d. c. 420 b.c.e.)
Greek historian, known as the “Father of History”
He toured Egypt, c. 450 b.c.e., and wrote extensively about his experiences on the Nile. He was born in hali-carnassus (now Bodrum, Turkey), c. 484 b.c.e., and earned a reputation as a historian. His nine-volume Histories was written from 430 to 425 b.c.e. and had a section devoted to Egypt. Herodotus traveled as far south as aswan and gathered information from the priest and officials. He was especially concerned with mummification, pyramids, and rituals. Herodotus died c. 420 b.c.e. and was named “the Father of History” by his supporters and “the Father of Lies” by his detractors. Much of his historical data has been validated by new studies.
Herophilus of Chalcedon (d. 280 b.c.e.)
Alexandrian physician who practiced “new medicine” The “new medicine” was the name applied to forensics and the dissection of human cadavers. He was born c. 335 b.c.e. in Chalcedon (modern Kadikoy, Turkey) and went to Alexandria to study under the new regulations that allowed human dissection. His awareness of the workings of the human brain and his careful accounts of his studies of various organs won praise in the later medical fields in Greece. Galen and others detailed his accomplishments.
Hesira (fl. 27th century b.c.e.)
Official of the Third Dynasty, called the “greatest of physicians and dentists” He served djoser (r. 2630-2611 b.c.e.) and is famous for the tomb decorations that he commissioned, works that demonstrate the human canon of art. Hesira was the overseer of royal scribes and called “the greatest of physicians and dentists,” and he was honored with a mastaba in saqqara. His tomb has a corridor chapel that contains carved panels depicting Hesira in epic poses, representing the artistic gains of his time. He was buried in a subterranean chamber connected to the tomb by a shaft. The chapel contains a serdab, a statue chamber like the one found in the step pyramid. Traditional palace facade panels also adorn the tomb, which was made out of mud bricks.
Hesseb (el-Hesseb Island)
This site near the first cataract of the Nile, south of aswan, served as a boundary fortress in some periods. The site contained a stela from the Sixth Dynasty (2323-2150 b.c.e.). Egypt was already involved in trade with nubia (modern Sudan) at that time.
Hetephakef
An obscure deity of Egypt, associated with the city of Memphis. A life-sized statue of the god was made out of schist and contained the cartouche of ramesses ii (r. 1290-1224 b.c.e.). No cultic temples of Hetephakef remain.
Hetepheres (1) (fl. 26th century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the Third and Fourth Dynasties of Egypt She was the daughter of huni (r. 2599-2575 b.c.e.) and the consort of snefru (r. 2575-2551 b.c.e.). Hetepheres was the mother of khufu (r. 2551-2528 b.c.e.), also called cheops. Her tomb regalia, discovered in a shaft without her mummified remains, reflect the tragedy of tomb robberies and vandalism in that age and throughout all of Egypt’s historical periods.
hemiunu, a prince nephew who served as Khufu’s vizier, discovered Hetepheres’ tomb in shambles and removed the mortuary furniture and personal goods from the original dashur burial site to giza. These items included bedroom furnishings, gold casings, toiletries, and a statue of Hetepheres in a sheath gown, tripartite wig, and bracelets. Her vital organs had been placed in canopic jars with a natron solution but had decayed. Her coffin was fashioned out of calcite, a white translucent alabaster. This was placed in the shaft at Giza without her mummy, which was probably destroyed by the thieves. The 90-foot shaft was filled with stones after her regalia was deposited.
Hetepheres (2) (fl. 26th century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the Fourth Dynasty
She was the daughter of khufu (Cheops; r. 2551-2528 b.c.e.) and possibly Queen meritites (1). Hetepheres married Prince kewab, the heir to Khufu’s throne and bore him merysankh (3) and others. Kewab died violently, and she was given to ra’djedef (r. 2528-2520 b.c.e.), who was possibly responsible for Kewab’s demise. When Ra’djedef died, Hetepheres married ankhkhaf,a powerful vizier serving khafre (r. 2520-2494 b.c.e.). prince Kewab had fashioned a magnificent tomb for Het-epheres in giza.A mastaba design, sumptuously adorned, the tomb was used to bury Hetepheres’ daughter Merysankh (3) when she died. Hetepheres provided this site for her daughter and built another tomb in the eastern portion of the eastern plateau of Giza. There she was buried in a black granite sarcophagus. she is believed to have reached the age of 70.
