I

177

Ibhet A site near the second cataract of the Nile,
located in NUBIA (modern Sudan), Ibhet contains a
QUARRYof black granite. The Egyptians discovered the
mine in the Sixth Dynasty Period (2323–2150 B.C.E.) or
perhaps earlier. By the Middle Kingdom (2040–1640
B.C.E.) expeditions were active at the site. AMENEMHET III
(r. 1844–1797 B.C.E.) led a campaign against the local
inhabitants of Ibhet in his first regnal year. The Egyptians
prized the stone and maintained fortified operations in
Ibhet.
See also EGYPTIAN NATURAL RESOURCES.

Ibi(fl. 22nd century B.C.E.) Official of the Sixth Dynasty
He was the son of Djau, the brother of Queens ANKHNES-
MERY-RÉ(1) and ANKHNESMERY-RÉ(2), and a cousin of
PEPI II(r. 2246–2152 B.C.E.). Ibi was trained for govern-
ment service and became the VIZIERof the southern
region, Upper Egypt. He was buried in DEIR EL-GEBRAWI
near ASSIUT, and in his tomb he promises to “pounce” on
anyone who enters his tomb with evil intentions. Ibi mar-
ried a nome heiress and served as nomarch of THINISfor a
time. His son, Djau (Zau) Shemai, succeeded him and in
turn ruled as “the Keeper of the Door to the South,” an
ELEPHANTINEIsland noble position.

ibis This bird was considered sacred to the Egyptian
god of wisdom, THOTH. The city of HERMOPOLIS MAGNA
was the cult center for ibises. Another shrine, called the
Ikheum, was located north of the city. The mummified
remains of ibises have been recovered in several areas.

Ibu The mortuary site where mummified corpses were
purified and prepared for the journey into the Tuat or

Underworld. These were sometimes part of the royal

pyramidal complexes, mainly the VALLEY TEMPLES. In

some records this mortuary site was called the PER NEFER,

or House of Beauty.

Ichneumon (Shet, Seshet) The mongoose deity of

Egypt, called Khatru as an animal and Shet or Seshet as a

god. The Greeks identified the deity as Ichneumon. Stat-

ues of the mongoose, standing erect, were attired in the

sun disk. The Ichneumon, revered because it could slay

evil serpents, was considered a theophany of the god

ATUMof HELIOPOLIS. Because it ate crocodile eggs, it was

associated with the god RÉ. In some depictions the Ich-

neumon brandished weapons of war.

Idet (Itet)(fl. 12th century B.C.E.)Royal woman of the

Twentieth Dynasty

She was the daughter of RAMESSES VI(r. 1154–1143 B.C.E.)

and Queen NUBKHESED(2). In some records she was

listed as Itet.

Idu(fl. 23rd century B.C.E.) Mortuary official of the Sixth

Dynasty

He served PEPI I(r. 2289–2255 B.C.E.) as a supervisor of

mortuary priests and ceremonies at the pyramidal com-

plexes of KHUFU (Cheops) and KHAFRE(Chephren) at

GIZA. Idu and others maintained daily MORTUARY RITUALS

at such funerary sites, as the cults of the deceased

pharaohs continued for decades. The number of cultic

personnel involved normally led to the building of small

cities alongside the pyramids and to the appointment of

officials and urban service agencies.