Nebt-Tawy (1)(fl. 13th century B.C.E.)Royal woman of
the Nineteenth Dynasty
A lesser-ranked consort of RAMESSES II (r. 1290–1224
B.C.E.), she was probably the mother of Nebt-Tawy (2).
Nebt-Tawy was buried in the VALLEY OF THE QUEENS.
Nebt-Tawy (2)(fl. 13th century B.C.E.)Royal woman of
the Nineteenth Dynasty
She was the daughter of RAMESSES II(r. 1290–1224 B.C.E.)
and probably Queen NEBT-TAW Y (1). Nebt-Tawy was
buried in the VALLEY OF THE QUEENSon the western shore
of Thebes. She was interred in the tomb of an unknown
royal woman named Tanedjemy.
Nebuchadnezzer(d. 562 B.C.E.)Chaldean ruler of
Babylon and a foe of Egypt
He was the son of Nabopolassar and was born c. 630
B.C.E. Nebuchadnezzer defeated NECHO II (r. 610–595
B.C.E.) of the Twenty-sixth Dynasty in the Battle of CAR-
CHEMISHin Syria. This defeat ended Egypt’s involvement
in that region. Nebuchadnezzer was a prince when he
defeated Necho II and the Egyptian forces.
He succeeded his father and expanded his influence
and dominance in the region until his death in 562 B.C.E.
He is viewed as the greatest member of his dynasty, as
Babylon flourished during his reign because of his mili-
tary skills.
Nebusemekh A character in an Egyptian short story
that was discovered on a number of OSTRAKAand dated to
the Ramessid Period (1307–1070 B.C.E.). The tale con-
cerns a meeting between the ghost Nebusemekh and the
high priest of AMUN, Khomsehab, at Thebes. Nebuse-
mekh relates his earthly status in the service of a ruler of
the Seventeenth Dynasty, RAHOTEP(2)(c. 1640 B.C.E.).
This ruler supervised Nebusemekh’s burial, but his tomb
was eventually destroyed.
The tale is not complete in the ostraka, but Khomse-
hab appears to have found a new tomb site for Nebuse-
mekh at DEIR EL-BAHRI, on the western shore of Thebes.
The work is called a “ghost story” in modern collections,
but it is not chilling or eerie. The Egyptians did not fear
the spirits of the dead and made efforts to communicate
with them in all historical periods.
See also ANCESTOR CULT LETTERS; LITERATURE.
Nebwawi(fl. 15th century B.C.E.) Priestly official of the
Eighteenth Dynasty
Nebwawi was the high priest of OSIRISat ABYDOSin the
reigns of TUTHMOSIS III (1479–1425 B.C.E.) and AMEN-
HOTEP II(1427–1401 B.C.E.). He served HATSHEPSUT(r.
1473–1458 B.C.E.) in several capacities but managed to
stay in favor with her successors. On occasion, Nebwawi
was summoned to the court to serve as a counselor to the
pharaohs, as his advice was valued. His mortuary STELA
provides details of his life, and a statue was erected in
THEBESin his honor. Another stela honoring Nebwawi
was found in ABYDOS.Nebwenef(fl. 13th century B.C.E.)Priestly official of the
Nineteenth Dynasty
He served in the reign of RAMESSES II(1290–1224 B.C.E.).
Nebwenef was the high priest of AMUNand the first
prophet of HATHORand ANHUR, an exalted rank in the
temple system. Priests were often required to assume
positions beyond their original offices, especially if they
were competent. His mortuary temple was built near Seti
I, whom he had served at the beginning of his career.
Nebwenef’s tomb depicted Ramesses II and Queen NEFER-
TARImaking the announcement of his appointment as
high priest. Nebwenef retired at an advanced age and was
succeeded in his office in the temple and in the royal
court by NEBENTERU.Nebyet(fl. 22nd century B.C.E.) Royal woman of the
Eighth Dynasty
The daughter of NEFERKU-HOR(reign uncertain), she was
the wife of SHEMAY, the vizier of the reign. Documents
from the ancient city of KOPTOSrelate the power of She-
may and the marriage. Another text attests to the
appointment of a new man named Kha’redni as her body-
guard. He was given the rank of commandant of soldiers.
Shemay’s power outlived the reign of Neferku-Hor.Necho I (Nekau I)(d. 664 B.C.E.)Founder of the
Twenty-sixth Dynasty
He ruled from 672 B.C.E. until his death in SAISand was
called Nekau in some lists. Necho I was possibly a descen-
dant of a Libyan prince of an earlier era and assumed royal
titles for himself and his line. ASSURBANIPAL, the Assyrian
king who invaded the territory c. 667 B.C.E., found Necho I
to be a cultured, realistic individual. As a result, Assurbani-
pal spared him and his son, PSAMMETICHUS I.
Necho I remained the ruler in SAISeven as TAHARQA
(r. 690–664 B.C.E.) won Egypt’s independence. When
TANUTAMUN(r. 664–657 B.C.E.), the Nubian leader, began
a campaign of his own to establish his rule in Egypt,
Necho I became the Nubian’s main target for revenge.
When the two met in battle, Necho I was slain.Necho II (Wehemibré)(d. 595 B.C.E.)Third ruler of
the Twenty-sixth Dynasty
He reigned from 610 B.C.E. until his death. The son of
PSAMMETICHUS Iand Queen MEKHTEMWESKHET(2), Necho
II supported the Assyrians as buffers to the Persian
advances. He also sponsored military programs and refur-
bished the Egyptian navy with Greek mercenaries and
vessels. Necho II even sent a fleet of hired Phoenicians to
successfully circumnavigate Africa.Necho II 265