As the cosmic reflection of harmony, justice, order,
and peace, ma’atwas embraced as a social imperative by
each new pharaoh ascending the throne. Each ruler pro-
claimed that he was mandated by the gods “to restore
ma’at,” no matter how illustrious the previous reign had
been. Ma’atwas the model for human behavior, in con-
formity with the will of the gods: the universal order evi-
dent in the heavens, cosmic balance upon the earth, the
mirror of celestial beauty. Ma’atovercame the enemy of
the nation, isfet,or chaos.
Awareness of the cosmic order was evident early in
Egypt, as priest-astronomers charted the heavens and
noted that the earth responded to the orbits of the stars
and planets. The priests taught that human beings were
commanded to reflect divine harmony by assuming the
spirit of quietude, reasonable behavior, cooperation, and
the recognition of the eternal qualities of existence as
demonstrated by the earth and the sky. The NILERiver in
its annual inundations (flood conditions that impacted
upon daily routines) had taught the Egyptians that
cooperative efforts were necessary for survival and
progress.
All Egyptians anticipated becoming part of the cos-
mos when they died, thus the responsibility for acting in
accordance with its laws was reasonable. Strict adherence
to ma’atallowed the Egyptians to feel secure with the
world and with the divine plan for all creation. This con-
cept of ma’atwas as much a product of Egyptian ideas on
cosmogony as of ethical awareness. Many Egyptians
made a sincere effort in every historical period to achieve
the reflection of celestial harmony, believing that ma’at
was the essence of creation, evident in every new human
life span and again in each hour upon the earth or in the
sky.Ma’at Hornefruré(fl. 13th century B.C.E.) Royal
woman of the Nineteenth Dynasty
She was probably the daughter of the Hittite ruler HAT-
TUSILIS IIIand Queen PEDUKHIPA. Ma’at Hornefruré was
the consort of RAMESSES II(r. 1290–1224 B.C.E.), having
married him as part of the alliance between Egypt and the
Hittites in approximately the 34th year of his reign.
Ramesses II sent a large procession, including troops, to
welcome Ma’at Hornefruré to Egypt and prayed to the
god SUTEKHfor fair weather. A series of receptions and
festivals celebrated her safe arrival. She became the rank-
ing queen, or Great Wife, in time and then retired to MI-
WERin the FAIYUM. A list of her personal belongings was
found at this harem retreat. Her arrival was also recorded
at ABU SIMBEL. It is probable that Ma’at Hornefruré was
the inspiration for the Egyptian tale contained in the BEN-
TRESH STELA. That romantic account appeared soon after
her arrival on the Nile.
See also HITTITE ALLIANCE; KHONS(1).Ma’atkaré (1)(fl. 11th century B.C.E.) Royal woman of
the Twenty-first Dynasty
She was the daughter of PINUDJEM(1) and HENUTTAWY
and the granddaughter of RAMESSES XI (r. 1100–1070
B.C.E.). During the reign of PSUSENNES I(1040–992 B.C.E.)
she became the GOD’S WIFE OF AMUN, or the Divine Ado-
ratrice of Amun. She did not marry as the God’s Wives
adopted their successors, and she was called Ma’atkaré
Mutemkhet in her divine role. The sister of Psusennes I,
MASAHARTA, and MENKHEPERRESENB (2), Ma’atkaré
appears to have died in childbirth.
A small mummy labeled Princess Moutemhet was
found buried with her. Ma’atkaré’s mummy clearly indi-
cates that she had given birth just before dying. When the
small mummy of Princess Moutemhet was unwrapped,
however, it was found to be a small hamadryas baboon.
Ma’atkaré’s remains, buried within two coffins, were dis-
covered at DEIR EL-BAHRIon the western shore of THEBES
in 1881, in the great royal mummy cache.Ma’atkaré (2)(fl. 10th century B.C.E.) Royal woman of
the Twenty-second Dynasty
She was the daughter of PSUSENNES IIand the consort of
SHOSHENQ I(r. 945–924 B.C.E.). Shoshenq I had been a
powerful leader of the MESHWESH, the major group of
Libyans residing in Egypt, before taking the throne and
founding his dynasty. Called the “Great Chief of the
Meshwesh,” he put aside Psusennes II’s heirs to rule
Egypt and to found a royal line that brought a certain
renaissance to the Nile Valley and displayed a vigorous
military policy. Ma’atkaré would have been a Libyan
noblewoman.Ma’atkaré (3)(fl. 10th century B.C.E.) Royal woman of
the Twenty-second Dynasty
She was probably the daughter of SHOSHENQ Iand was the
consort of OSORKON I(r. 924–909 B.C.E.), her brother. Her
sons were SHOSHENQ IIand TAKELOT II. She was probably
the namesake of MA’ATKARÉ(2) and a Libyan.Ma’atkaré (4)(fl. ninth century B.C.E.) Royal woman of
the Twenty-second Dynasty
She was the consort of OSORKON II(r. 883–855 B.C.E.) but
was not the mother of the heir. She was probably a
princess of the royal line and of Libyan descent.Ma’atkaré (5) This was the throne name of Queen-
Pharaoh HATSHEPSUT(r. 1473–1458 B.C.E.), also listed as
Rema’atka.ma’at kheru An ancient Egyptian phrase used to
describe the deceased beings judged as pure of heart and
worthy of the eternal paradise beyond the grave, the222 Ma’at Hornefruré