B.C.E.), and inscriptions of the Twenty-first Dynasty
(1070–945 B.C.E.) high priests of Amun, PINUDJEM(1) and
MENKHEPERRESENEB(2), were also discovered there. The
fortress was revived c. 305 B.C.E., in the reign of PTOLEMY I
SOTER, as Ankyronpolis. El-Hiba dates probably to the
New Kingdom (1550–1070 B.C.E.) or slightly earlier.
Hibis (Hebet) The ancient capital of the KHARGA
OASIS, located south of ASSIUTin the western desert, also
called Hebet, Hibis contained a temple started by DARIUS I
(r. 521–486 B.C.E.) or DARIUS II(r. 424–404 B.C.E.) and
completed by NECTANEBO II (r. 360–343 B.C.E.). The
rulers of the Ptolemaic Period (304–30 B.C.E.) added dec-
orations and chambers. The temple was constructed in a
grove and had vivid reliefs and a rooftop shrine dedicated
to the god OSIRIS. A winged figure of SET, the fertility deity
of the oasis, is also displayed. A Roman temple was built
on a nearby hill.
Hierakonpolis (Nekhen, Kom el-Ahmar) A site in
Upper Egypt, between ESNAand EDFU, located across the
Nile from Elkab and originally called Nekhen, the city
was a cultic center for the god HORUS. Dated to the predy-
nastic period (c. 2900 B.C.E. or before), Hierakonpolis
had a temple complex dating to the Old Kingdom
(2575–2134 B.C.E.). It is now called Kom el-Ahmar, the
Red Mound. The SOULS OF NEKHENresided there. The
local deity was Nekheny, an obscure being associated
with the god Horus.
Very important discoveries were made at Hierakon-
polis, including the NARMER PALETTE, indicating a high
level of artistic achievement. A fortress dating to
KHA’SEKHEMWY(r. c. 2600 B.C.E.) was also found on the
site, as well as the SCORPIONmacehead and copper statues
of PEPI I(r. 2289–2255 B.C.E.) and his son MERENRÉ. One
of the masterpieces of Hierakonpolis is a golden crowned
hawk’s head, a symbol of HORUS. A necropolis near the
site contains more than 60 burials, dating to the Naqada
II culture. Petroglyphs were also discovered there as well
as a decorated tomb made of brick. This tomb contained
Early Dynastic Period (2920–2575 B.C.E.) reliefs. Several
other tombs are also present, rock-cut in design.
hieratic See LANGUAGE.
hieroglyphs See LANGUAGE.
High Gates of Medinet Habu Crenelated towers
added a distinctive touch to MEDINET HABU, the migdal-
style fortified temple complex erected by RAMESSES III(r.
1194–1163 B.C.E.) on the western shore of the Nile at
Thebes. The gates provided an immense entranceway and
contained upper chambers. These suites, beautifully dec-
orated, were used by Ramesses III and his harem.
hippopotamus A former denizen of the NILEin ancient
Egypt, associated with religious and cultic traditions, the
hippopotamus was viewed in two forms, as Herpest and
TAWARET. Herpest was a symbol of HORUS’s victory and anHypostyle columns displayed in the temple of Luxor
protector of women in childbirth. In some eras, the hip-
popotamus was viewed as SET, the slayer of OSIRIS. This
resulted in the animal being hunted in some regions and
honored in others. Snoring hippopotami were the cause
of a quarrel between Sekenenré TA’OII(r. c. 1560 B.C.E.)
and the HYKSOSruler APOPHIS(r. c. 1585–1553 B.C.E.),
commemorated in the QUARREL OF APOPHIS AND SEKENENRÉ
(TA’OII). The quarrel led to the Theban advance on
Apophis’s domains in the eastern Delta and the eventual
expulsion of the Hyksos from Egypt.Hittite Alliance An Egyptian text translated from the
cuneiform, describing the pact between Egypt and the
HITTITESand recorded on the walls of temples of KARNAK
and at the RAMESSEUM, the alliance was formed between
RAMESSES II(r. 1290–1224 B.C.E.) and the ruler of the Hit-
tite empire, HATTUSILIS III(d. c. 1250 B.C.E.). It was the
result of a series of military confrontations over decades.
Written in Akkadian and signed by Ramesses II, the
treaty forged a reasonable approach to the division of ter-
ritories and vassal nations. An unusual extradition clause
was part of the alliance. A silver tablet was sent to Egypt
by the Hittites, requesting this truce. Ramesses II played
host to a delegation from that land for the occasion.
Three versions of the treaty are still in existence. One was
inscribed on the wall of KARNAK, and one was kept at PER-
RAMESSES. The Hittites kept one at Hattusas. The treaty
ended years of military confrontations and also served as
a pact of alliance in times of danger. This event was also
commemorated in a legendary manner in the BENTRESH
STELA.Suggested Readings:MacQueen, J.G. The Hittites: And
Their Contemporaries in Asia Minor.London: Thames and
Hudson, 1996; Bryce, Trevor. Kingdom of the Hittites.
Oxford, U.K.: Oxford University Press, 1999.Hittites They were a people called the Great Kheta
(Khenta) from Anatolia (modern Turkey) who arrived on
the scene as a military power around 2000 B.C.E. Called
also “the Sons of Heth,” the Hittites had a tomb complex
at Alaca Hüyük in Anatolia in 2500 B.C.E. They came
originally from the Anatolian Lake District of the area
once called Lydia. They were in Hattusas, their capital
near the Kizilirmak River, by c. 1800 B.C.E., remaining as
a power until c. 1200 B.C.E.
The Hittites spoke an Indo-European language and
wrote in the Hittite-Luwian script, uncovered at Hattusas,
Boghazkoy in central Anatolia. Coming into the area from
their original homeland in the lower Danube, from theHittites 169