Royal woman of the Fourth Dynasty
A consort of khufu (Cheops; r. 2551-2528 b.c.e.), Meritites was the mother of Prince kewab and Princess het-epheres (2), Princess merysankh (2), and Princess djedefhor and baufre. She was buried in giza. The royal family of Khufu was divided between two factions, and Meritites’ son Kewab, who was the rightful heir, was killed in a questionable manner. His successor represented the opposing side of the family and did not manage to keep the throne for long or to raise his own sons as heirs.
Meritites (2) (fl. 23rd century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the Sixth Dynasty
She was the daughter probably of pepi i (r. 2289-2255 b.c.e.). A small step pyramid, recording her as a queen, was discovered in saqqara. It is recorded that Meritites’ pyramid became a pilgrimage site after her death.
merkhet
This was an astral gauge used by the ancient Egyptians for architectural surveys and construction projects. Much like the modern plumb line, the merkhet provided relatively accurate measurements, something required for the construction of massive monuments that not only had to be based on secure foundations but were positioned according to astronomical configurations deemed appropriate.
Merneith (1) (Merynit, Mereneith, Meryneith) (fl. c. 29th century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the First Dynasty She was the consort of djet or Wadji (date of reign unknown). Merneith was the mother of den, and clay seals bear her name as “the King’s Mother.” She served as regent for her son, who obviously inherited the throne before reaching his majority. Merneith’s mortuary complexes at abydos and saqqara attest to her rank as a ruler in that period. The Abydos tomb follows the pharaonic style of that time and was surrounded by 41 other gravesites. These Egyptians, including artisans and craftsmen, possibly died as part of her mortuary ceremonies. Merneith died in the reign of Den. A stela erected in her honor depicts her name entwined with the serekh (2) symbol, normally reserved for pharaohs. Merneith’s coffin bore similar royal insignias. Her Abydos tomb was a brick lined pit with a wooden floor. some 77 additional graves were discovered nearby. Her saqqara tomb contained a boat pit.
Merneith (2) (fl. 28th century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the First Dynasty
Merneith was the consort of den (date of reign unknown). She was probably his sister, born to Queen merneith (1) and djet.
Meroe
A site on the eastern bank of the Nile in nubia (modern Sudan), north of modern Kabushiyah, it contains royal remains and unique monuments dating to the Twenty-fifth Dynasty (712-657 b.c.e.) and other historical periods. In the fifth century b.c.e., the great Kushite Empire was seated in Meroe. Vital and energetic, the people of Meroe remained powerful even in the Greco-Roman period on the Nile. The necropolis of Meroe, Begarawiga, was filled with Kushite pyramids and royal burials. A temple to isis dates to the Napatan Period (c. 1000-300 b.c.e.) at Meroe, and lavish palaces were erected there as well. A temple of amun was built in the second century b.c.e., as well as a temple of apedemak,a Nubian lion deity.
Mersa Matruh
This was a site 185 miles west of Alexandria that served as a port of entry into Egypt. Pilgrims arriving to visit the oasis of siwa during the Ptolemaic Period (304-30 b.c.e.) used the port and erected a city called Ammonia (later called Paraetonium). Modern Bates island served as another trading port in the area. siwa oasis, called also jupiter Ammon, was well known throughout the Mediterranean region, and many came from distant lands to worship amun in that vast desert site.
Meryamen (fl. 12th century b.c.e.)
Prince of the Twentieth Dynasty
A son of ramesses iii (r. 1194-1163 b.c.e.), he was depicted as a “Fan-bearer,” in reliefs, apparently not holding any other known official position. Meryamen was also portrayed on the walls of medinet habu with 19 of his brothers, listed there as Ramesses-Meryamen.
Meryatum (1) (fl. 13th century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the Nineteenth Dynasty
Meryatum was the daughter of ramesses ii (r. 1290-1224 b.c.e.) and Queen nefertari. She is depicted with her parents at the Queen’s Temple at ABU simbel.
Meryatum (2) (fl. 13th century b.c.e.)
Royal priest of Re of the Nineteenth Dynasty
The sixteenth son of ramesses ii (r. 1290-1224 b.c.e.) and nefertari, he served as the high priest of re at heliopolis. Prince Meryatum is depicted at the Queen’s Temple at ABU simbel, and the temple of nut at karnak bears his name. Meryatum officially visited the Egyptian turquoise mining operations in the sinai.
Meryatum (3) (fl. 12th century b.c.e.)
Royal priest of Re of the Twentieth Dynasty
The son of ramesses iii (r. 1194-1163 b.c.e.), he served as the high priest of re at Heliopolis. Meryatum outlived his father and was possibly buried at el-MATARRiYAH necropolis, in modern Cairo.
Meryet (1) (Merit, Mereret) (fl. 19th century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the Twelfth Dynasty
She was the consort of senwosret iii (r. 1878-1841 b.c.e.). Meryet was buried in the mortuary complex of Senwosret III at dashur.
Meryet (2) (fl. 19th century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the Twelfth Dynasty
She was a consort of amenemhet ii (r. 1929-1892 b.c.e.). Little is known of her, as she was a lesser-ranked queen.
Merymose (fl. 14th century b.c.e.)
Viceroy of the Eighteenth Dynasty, called the “King’s Son of Kush” Serving amenhotep iii (r. 1391-1353 b.c.e.), he was the viceroy of Kush, or the governor of nubia (modern Sudan). Merymose was responsible for trade routes and fortifications of the Egyptians south of Aswan. The region of Nubia was highly active during Merymose’s term of office as the “King’s Son of Kush,” and he had to maintain garrisoned stations and navigable waterways along the Nile. His tomb at thebes contained outstanding statuary.
Merynenefer (Qar) (fl. c. 23rd century b.c.e.)
Official of the pyramidal complexes of the Sixth Dynasty He was the overseer of the pyramidal complexes of khufu (Cheops) and menkaure (Mycerinus). Merynene-fer was also a tenant of the pyramid complex of pepi i and the inspector of priests in the pyramid of khafre (Che-phren). He served in several reigns. His tomb in giza is elaborate, with two false doors and decorations. A portico displays pillars carved as the likenesses of Merynenefer, and there are statues of the deceased and his son and other male relatives. idu, Merynenefer’s father, was buried in an adjoining tomb in abusir. He was the overseer of priests in the pyramidal complexes of Khufu and also Khafre (r. 2520-2494 b.c.e.). Elaborate paintings beautify this gravesite.
Meryptah (fl. 14th century b.c.e.)
Official of the Eighteenth Dynasty
Meryptah served amenhotep iii (r. 1391-1353 b.c.e.) as a royal treasurer. He was buried at thebes and was honored for his faithful service to the nation.
Meryre (1) (fl. 14th century b.c.e.)
Priestly official of the Eighteenth Dynasty
He served akhenaten (Amenhotep IV; r. 1353-1335 b.c.e.) at ‘amarna as the high priest of aten. Meryre held the position of the Great seer of Aten when Akhenaten decided to share his powers with others near the end of his reign. Akhenaten’s death resulted in the abandonment of ‘Amarna and the end of Aten’s cult. Meryre and his wife, Tener, disappeared and their beautifully adorned tomb at ‘Amarna remained unfinished. Meryre reportedly was buried somewhere in ‘Amarna, probably deposited in a secret cache in order to preserve his remains from the agents of horemhab (r. 1319-1307 b.c.e.).
Many of the ‘Amarna officials made arrangements to have their remains hidden when they died, as they witnessed the destruction turned loose on Akhenaten’s capital after his death. The unused tomb of Meryre depicts him receiving decorations from the pharaoh and visiting Aten’s temple. The paintings at this site record events and personalities of the ‘Amarna period and display the vivacious artistic styles of the era.
Meryre (2) (fl. 14th century b.c.e.)
Official of the Eighteenth Dynasty at ‘Amarna
He served akhenaten (Amenhotep IV; r. 1353-1335 b.c.e.) as superintendent of Queen nefertiti’s royal household. Meryre was the son of the high priest of aten, Meryre (1), and Tener. His unfinished tomb at ‘Amarna depicts Akhenaten, Nefertiti, and smenkhare. Meryre (2) disappeared after Akhenaten’s death, probably hiding to avoid the vengeance of horemhab and other Amunites, who sought to obliterate all traces of the ‘Amarna interlude. His burial site has not been identified.
Meryre (3) (fl. 13th century b.c.e.)
Prince of the Nineteenth Dynasty
He was the eleventh son of ramesses ii (r. 1290-1224 b.c.e.). Meryre is depicted in a luxor temple relief as part of Ramesses Il’s kadesh military campaign. He is shown leading prisoners during that encounter, which took place in Ramesses ii’s fifth regnal year.
Merysankh (1) (fl. 26th century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the Third Dynasty
She was a lesser consort of huni (r. 2599-2575 b.c.e.) and the mother of snefru, the founder of the Fourth Dynasty. Probably a commoner by birth, she was reportedly deified in later dynasties.
Merysankh (2) (fl. 26th century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the Fourth Dynasty
A daughter of khufu (r. 2551-2528 b.c.e.) and Queen meritites (1), Merysankh’s life is not detailed.
Merysankh (3) (Meresankh, Mersyankh) (fl. 26th century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the Fourth Dynasty Merysankh was the daughter of Prince kewab and Queen hetepheres (2) and granddaughter of khufu and Queen meritites (1). She was the consort of khafre (Chephren; r. 2520-2494 b.c.e.). Merysankh was called “the King’s Beloved Wife,” “the Mistress of dendereh,” “the Priestess of Bapefy,” “the Priestess of thoth,” and “the Priestess of hathor.” She inherited Prince Kewab’s estate when he died in mysterious circumstances and was at court when her mother, Hetepheres (2), married ra’djedef (r. 25282520 b.c.e.). Marrying Khafre, Ra’djedef’s successor, Merysankh became the mother of Prince Nebemakhet, Prince Khenterka, Prince Duwanera, and Princess Shep-setkau, along with other children.
She died suddenly in the reign of menkaure (2490-2472 b.c.e.), and her mother gave her the magnificent giza tomb that she had prepared for her own use. The mastaba at Giza’s eastern cemetery has a subterranean rock-cut chapel, a main chamber, false doors, and a shaft. Statues and reliefs within the tomb depict the royal family. Merysankh’s embalming process was recorded as lasting a record 272 days. Her son Prince nebemakhet is among those portrayed in reliefs.
Meryt-Amun (1) (Meryt-Aten) (fl. 14th century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the Eighteenth Dynasty She was the wife of smenkhare (r. 1335-1333 b.c.e.). Meryt-Amun was the daughter of akhenaten (Amen-hotep IV) and Queen nefertiti. When Nefertiti left Akhenaten’s palace in ‘amarna and took up residence in her own mansion, Meryt-Amun became queen in her place, even though she was married to Smenkhare. The death of Akhenaten in 1335 b.c.e. brought about Smenkhare’s coronation. He had been Akhenaten’s attendant for two years and had assumed many administrative duties.
Smenkhare and Meryt-Amun returned to thebes to placate the priests of amun and the military faction led by General horemhab. She was the mother of Merytaten-Tasherit and Merytaten the Younger. She died before Smenkhare.
Meryt-Amun (2) (fl. 15th century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the Eighteenth Dynasty
She was a daughter of tuthmosis iii and a consort of amenhotep ii (r. 1427-1401 b.c.e.). Meryt-Amun died at age 50 and was depicted as delicate, with brown wavy hair. She was buried at deir el-bahri in two coffins, one fashioned out of cedar. pinudjem (1), the high priest of amun in the Twenty-first Dynasty, usurped Meryt-Amun’s tomb for his daughter, Princess Entiu-nywas.
Meryt-Amun (3) (fl. 13th century b.c.e.)
Royal woman of the Nineteenth Dynasty
She was the eldest daughter of ramesses ii (r. 1290-1224 b.c.e.) and Queen nefertari. When Nefertari died or retired to the harem palace near the faiyum, Meryt-Amun became a queen, ranking second to bint-anath, her sister. A statue of Meryt-Amun, colossal in size and beautifully made, was unearthed recently at akhmin. The lips of the statue have retained the original red paint.
Meryt-Atum (fl. 13th century b.c.e.)
Prince of the Nineteenth Dynasty
The son of ramesses ii (r. 1290-1224 b.c.e.) and Queen nefertari, he became the high priest of Re in heliopolis. Meryt-Atum was depicted in reliefs as campaigning with Ramesses II in the sinai.
Meryt-Re-Hatshepsut (fl. 15th century b.c.e.) Royal woman of the Eighteenth Dynasty
She was the consort of tuthmosis iii (r. 1479-1425 b.c.e.). Possibly the daughter of the God’s Wife, Huy, Meryt-Re-Hatshepsut was not the first “Great Wife,” having been preceded by two others. She was, however, the mother of the heir, amenhotep ii. Meryt-Re-Hatshepsut outlived Tuthmosis iii and was honored in her son’s reign. She was buried at thebes, in the valley of the queens. The tomb designated as hers, however, does not appear to have been used. A quartzite, unfinished sarcophagus was found in that tomb. She was also the mother of meryt-amun (2) and Nebetiunet.
Meseket It was a sacred bark used by the god re in his nightly descent from the heavens. Re rode on the mandet in the morning to ascend into the sky on his appointed rounds. These sacred barks were accompanied by other divine beings and by the deceased souls who were not deemed worthy of eternal paradise but were allowed to survive in eternity in the retinues of the gods. See also barks of the gods.
Mesentiu
The name of an ancient Egyptian group that originated in edfu, a site south of thebes, in Upper Egypt. The Mesentiu are featured in early accounts of the unification of the nation. They are part of “the Sons of horus.” The Mesentiu were reportedly skilled in metallurgy and battle.
mesenty
This was an ancient Egyptian term that meant “the Lord of All Creation.” Most cults assumed that title for their particular deities as part of the cosmogonic traditions fostered in the various cults, including amun and re. From the earliest historical periods, however, ptah was the true mesenty.
meskd
This was a sacred symbol, fashioned out of the hide of a bull and used as part of the costume of nomarchs and some pharaohs. The term “Bull of his Mother” was sometimes attached to the royal titles in ceremonies. The meska was a symbol of power and rebirth, as bulls were popular theophanies of the gods.
Meskhent (Meshkhent, Meskhenit)
She was an Egyptian goddess of childbirth, depicted as a birthing brick with a woman’s head or as a woman with a brick on her head. Egyptian women sat on bricks designed to promote labor during childbirth. Meskhent assumed four forms and predicted the future of newborns. Meskhent is mentioned in the westcar papyrus, and she reportedly predicted the role of the first three pharaohs of the Fifth Dynasty (2465-2323 b.c.e.). She was associated with hathor in some eras.
In mortuary rituals, Meskhent was an attendant in the judgment halls of osiris, where she aided the deceased. She provided the magical powers so that the dead could be reborn in paradise. She was the divine sister of Anit and Tanenit. Her husband was shai, who represented destiny, fate, or luck.
Meshwesh
They were a people dominating the region of modern libya in many historical periods. Uniting with other Libyan groups and at times joined to the confederation known as the sea peoples, the Meshwesh attempted many assaults on the western Delta. merenptah (r. 1224-1214 b.c.e.) and ramesses iii (r. 1194-1163 b.c.e.), among others, had to defeat such invasion forces.
With the fall of the New Kingdom in 1070 b.c.e., the Libyans began to enter the Nile Valley and the Meshwesh settled at bubastis. Reportedly, herihor of the Twenty-first Dynasty (1070-945 b.c.e.) belonged to a collateral family of the Meshwesh. The most famous of these Libyans was shoshenq i (r. 945-924 b.c.e.), the founder of the Twenty-second Dynasty. The Libyans reinvigorated Egypt with their presence and served as military leaders of note and as administrators.
Messuy (fl. 13th century b.c.e.)
Governor of Kush in the Nineteenth Dynasty
He served ramesses ii (r. 1290-1224 b.c.e.) as viceroy of Kush, the governor of the territories south of aswan in nubia (modern Sudan). In this role he was addressed as the “King’s Son of Kush.” Messuy constructed a temple at kalabashah, in a region called beit el-wali. A rock-cut shrine, the temple erected by Messuy was designed with columns and elaborate reliefs of the pharaoh. A causeway connected the temple to the Nile.
mesu-heru
They were the guardians of the canopic jars, “the Four Sons of Horus.” The jars contained the vital organs of the deceased, removed during the rituals of embalming.
mesut
This was the ancient word for evening, actually meaning “the Time of Birth.” The cosmological traditions of Egypt promoted the idea that the stars were actually swallowed by a divine sow at each sunrise. At eventide the stars were given birth by the sow and appeared in the sky.
Methen (Metjen) (fl. 27th century b.c.e.)
Governor and biographer of the Third Dynasty, serving several pharaohs
He served djoser (r. 2630-2611 b.c.e.) as a regional governor but was famous as well as a biographer. Methen started his career in the reign of snefru (r. 2575-2551 b.c.e.) and rose in the ranks. He administered the Delta nomes and the faiyum’s eastern zone. Methen was buried in a brick mastaba in saqqara, the royal necropolis, a sign of his rank. The tomb had a cruciform chapel and contained a small granite statue of Methen. His father was Anibesemonek.
Migdol (1)
This was a site in the sinai, near tcharu, where the Egyptians maintained a fortified tower with massive walls. When the Persian ruler cambyses (r. 525-522 b.c.e.) attacked Egypt, he destroyed the site, which was later rebuilt. Tell el-Her, to the south, was also destroyed and rebuilt.
migdol (2)
This was a type of fortress, Syrian in design, heavily fortified. medinet habu, the vast complex erected by ramesses iii (r. 1194-1163 b.c.e.) was a migdol-style structure.
“Mighty Bull Appearing in Thebes”
An epithet used by tuthmosis iii (r. 1479-1425 b.c.e.) and other strong New Kingdom pharaohs, the title was usually preceded by the phrase “Life to horus.” The two epithets were combined to notify the Egyptians that a human form of Horus had risen again in thebes to protect the nation from all enemies. The bull was always a symbol of strength and tenacity for the Egyptians and was used in several royal titles.
Miliku (fl. 14th century b.c.e.)
Prince of Gaza (Gezer) and a vassal of Egypt
He held the throne of his city-state in the reign of akhenaten (Amenhotep IV; r. 1353-1335 b.c.e.) and was mentioned in the ‘amarna letters, the correspondence concerning land disputes among the Egyptian vassal states and other pertinent topics of the era. Miliku was accused of land grabbing by other princes, and he wrote to Akhenaten asking for defenses against another vassal state. Akhenaten did send troops to Miliku, and slave women were given to Egypt in return for Egyptian goods.
military
An institution that evolved over the centuries as a result of Egypt’s expansion and contact with outside elements. Egypt’s military forces had a definitive role in maintaining the sovereignty of the country from the earliest historical periods and in obtaining natural resources and new lands.
