Black Sea to the Caucasus, this group arrived in central
Anatolia c. 1840 B.C.E., destroying a native culture of the
region, Karum II. Evidence of the Hittite migration from
the Caucasus has been documented. At times they were
accompanied by other groups, such as the Luwians, who
disappeared after their arrival in the region. Hattusas was
originally the center of the Hattic peoples, who vanished.
The Hittite ruler Anitta of Kussara had warned his
people not to enter Hattusas, but the capital was founded
by HATTUSILIS Iand strengthened. The Hittites began their
reign, which they called “the kingdom of thousands of
gods.” In c. 1610 B.C.E., MURSILIS Iattacked the city of
Aleppo in northern Syria and then took Babylon. He was
murdered on his return to Hattusas, and Babylon and
other cities were freed. The succeeding kings, however,
started the Hittite empire.
When the Hittites threatened the MITANNIS, Egypt
responded as an ally. TUTHMOSIS IV(r. 1401–1391 B.C.E.)
sided with the Mitannis, forcing the Hittites to assume
the role of the enemy. The growing enmity between Egypt
and the Hittites was fueled as well in the days following
the death of TUT’ANKHAMUN(r. 1333–1323 B.C.E.). His
widow, ANKHESENAMON, offered herself and her throne to
Hittite ruler SUPPILULIUMAS I. He sent his son, Prince ZAN-
NANZA, to marry the young queen, but the son was slain
at the border.
RAMESSES II(r. 1290–1224 B.C.E.) had to fight the Hit-
tites led by King MUWATALLISat KADESHon the Orontes
River. Both sides claimed victory after a series of con-
flicts, including spies and ambushes, but the Egyptians
and the Hittites recognized a stalemate. The battle of
Kadesh is documented in Egyptian reliefs and in Hittite
Akkadian language cuneiform tablets. After more years of
conflict, both sides agreed to a treaty, sealed by the mar-
riage of Ramesses II to a Hittite princess, the daughter of
HATTUSILIS III(d. c. 1250 B.C.E.) and Queen PEDUKHIPA.
The Hittites are described in historical contemporary
records as a people skilled in the forging of iron. They
were fierce warriors who wore heavy coats and boots with
upturned toes. Their capital had a double wall fortifica-
tion that spanned a deep gorge. They worshiped Heput,
the mother goddess, and Teshub, a god of weather. The
capital also had a natural rock sanctuary. The eventual
destruction of the Hittite capital, Hattusas, and the Hittite
empire was brought about during the reign of RAMESSES III
(1194–1163 B.C.E.) by the SEA PEOPLES, who were later
defeated in Egypt. The capital collapsed, replaced by
Neo-Hittite sites that were conquered by the Assyrians.
Hiwa Semaina This is a predynastic (before 3,000
B.C.E.) site on the eastern bank of the Nile, stretching
from Hiwa to Semaina and depicting Naqada I and II cul-
tures. An ancient mine and a predynastic necropolis were
discovered there, as well as graves dating to the Old
Kingdom (2575–2134 B.C.E.). Settlement remains on the
site have also been cataloged.
honey A natural product manufactured by BEESand
used in Egypt as a sweetener but associated as well with
medical practices, honey was a symbol of resurrection
and was deemed a poison for ghosts, the dead, demons,
and evil spirits. A New Kingdom (1550–1070 B.C.E.) lul-
laby lists the fatal qualities of the substance as warning to
any ghosts attempting to steal a baby.Hor-Aha (Menes) See AHA.Hor Awibré(fl. c. 1760 B.C.E.)Ruler of the Thirteenth
Dynasty, who reigned only a few months
He is mentioned in the Royal TURIN CANON, and his name
appears on monuments from TANISin the north to the
ELEPHANTINEIsland in ASWAN. Hor Awibré was buried in
the pyramidal complex of AMENEMHET III(r. 1844–1797
B.C.E.) at DASHUR, probably as a measure of security in a
troubled period. A remarkable wooden statue of Hor
Awibré as a KA was discovered at his burial site. The
statue, bearing the outstretched arms of the kaon his
head, depicts the youthful ruler completely naked.Horemhab (Djeserkhepruré)(d. 1307 B.C.E.) Four-
teenth and last ruler of the Eighteenth Dynasty
He reigned from 1319 B.C.E. until his death. His name
meant “HORUS in Celebration.” Horemhab came from
HERAKLEOPOLISand claimed a noble title, although no
ancestral records document this. A military man,
Horemhab rose through the ranks, serving in ’AMARNA
and then becoming the general of Egypt’s army under
TUT’ANKHAMUN(r. 1333–1323 B.C.E.). He remained in
power during the reign of Tut’ankhamun’s successor, AYA
(2) (1323–1319 B.C.E.), and then assumed the throne,
marrying MUTNODJMET(1), possibly a sister of Queen
NEFERTITI. Intent upon destroying any vestiges of the
’Amarna Period, Horemhab officially dated the start of
his reign to the death of AMENHOTEP III(r. 1391–1353
B.C.E.) and set about destroying the tombs and buildings
of the ’Amarna episode. The tomb of Tut’ankhamun was
saved by the intervention of MAYA, Horemhab’s trusted
official.
Horemhab distinguished his reign with extensive
programs designed to bring order, to defend the nation’s
borders, and to rebuild Egypt’s religious institutions.
Although he had been honored by AKHENATEN (r.
1353–1335 B.C.E.) at ’Amarna, and possibly bore the
name Pa’atenemhab in that court, Horemhab continued
to erase all trace of the Atenists.
He finally demolished ’Amarna and dismantled Aya’s
tomb and mortuary temple, erasing all names and faces
recorded in these monuments. From the Delta to Nubia
(modern Sudan) he destroyed all traces of the god ATEN.
He especially focused on HUY(1), the viceroy during the
’Amarna interlude, and attacked the city of AKHMIN, the
allies of Akhenaten.170 Hiwa Semaina