nations already subdued. In one Ramessid (1307–1070
B.C.E.) relief the Nine Bows were portrayed as Libyans,
NUBIANS, HITTITES, Syrians, Mesopotamians, Philistines,
Dardanians, Lycians, Sardinians, and Silicians. The actual
composition of the Nine Bows varied from one historical
period to another, as nations rose and fell while Egypt
endured. The enemies designated as the Nine Bows were
sometimes depicted on the inner soles of the pharaoh’s
sandals so that he could tread upon their persons. They
were also used on statues and reliefs that celebrated
Egypt’s military prowess.
Ninetjer(fl. 27th century B.C.E.) Third ruler of the Sec-
ond Dynasty
His capital was MEMPHIS, and he is listed on the PALERMO
STONEand recorded as appearing “God-Like.” The dates
of his actual reign are unknown. Ninetjer erected a royal
residence and conducted the APISfestivals. An alabaster
statue of him has survived, and vases bearing his name
were discovered in the STEP PYRAMID. He was possibly
buried under the causeway of UNIS(r. 2356–2323 B.C.E.),
which was built over the site at SAQQARA. His seals were
found there.
Another tomb, near the gravesite of HOTEPSEKHEMWY
in SAQQARA, has also been identified as his resting place.
This burial site has corridors, storerooms, and three main
galleries. The burial chamber collapsed, but Late Period
(712–332 B.C.E.) coffins were discovered there in 1938.
This tomb contained other passages and side chambers as
well as a labyrinth. Ninetjer apparently put down a major
rebellion in his thirteenth regnal year. His successor was
possibly SENDJI, an obscure ruler listed as “the Fearful
One.”
Nineveh It was the capital of the ASSYRIANor Agade
nation situated on the eastern bank of the Tigris River
near modern Mosul in northern Iraq. The city had seven
and one half miles of defensive walls, erected on two
mounds: Nebi Yunus and Kuyunjik. ASSURBANIPAL,an
Assyrian king, built a palace and established a cuneiform
library there. When he entered Egypt in the reign of
TAHARQA(690–664 B.C.E.), ESSARHADDON, another Assyr-
ian ruler, captured the queen, AMUN-DYEK’HET, and crown
prince of the land, USHANAHURA, and took them back to
Nineveh as slaves.
Nisankh-Pepi-Kem(fl. 23rd century B.C.E.)High rank-
ing official of the Sixth Dynasty
He served PEPI I(r. 2289–2255 B.C.E.) as VIZIERof Lower
Egypt. Nisankh-Pepi-Kem was buried at Deir el-Muhar-
rak, near ASSIUT. A large pillared chamber in his tomb
leads to a small, undecorated burial shrine. An unfin-
ished FALSE DOORwas also part of his tomb.
Nit See NEITH(1).
Nitocris (1) (Nitigret)(fl. c. 2153 B.C.E.)Fabled queen-
pharaoh of the Sixth Dynasty
HERODOTUSlisted her and related a fable concerning her
activities. Nitocris reportedly came to power after her
brother, MERENRÉ II (r. c. 2152 B.C.E.), was slain. In
vengeance she supposedly invited hundreds of officials
she believed responsible for her brother’s death to a ban-
quet in a subterranean chamber and then flooded it. She
had a one-year reign and was listed in the TURIN CANON.
Nitocris was the royal consort of Merenré II.Nitocris (2)(fl. 7th century B.C.E.)Royal woman of the
Twenty-sixth Dynasty
She was the daughter of PSAMMETICHUS I (r. 664–610
B.C.E.), and Queen MEKHTEMWESKHET(2). Nitocris was
“adopted” by SHEPENWEPET(2)and became a GOD’S WIFE
OF AMUN, or a Divine Adoratrice of Amun, at Thebes. She
lived into her 70s and in 595 B.C.E. “adopted” the daugh-
ter of PSAMMETICHUS II(595–589 B.C.E.). ANKHESNEFERI-
BRÉthus became her successor. Nitocris was buried in a
red granite SARCOPHAGUSin THEBESand was given a tomb
chapel in KARNAK.Niuserré (Izi)(d. 2392 B.C.E.) Sixth ruler of the Fifth
Dynasty
He reigned from 2416 B.C.E. until his death. Niuserré was
probably the son of NEFEREFRÉor KAKAI. His queens were
KHENTIKUS, REPUTNEB, and NUB. He is also famed for his
sun temple in ABU GHUROB, a structure made entirely of
stone. Once called the Pyramid of Righa, the TEMPLEwas
designed with a large square base and a tapering plat-
form, with an open court and ALTA R. This altar was fash-
ioned out of a monolithic slab of travertine marble,
surrounded by four adornments, carved with the hiero-
glyph of offering. Niuserré sent an expedition to the
mines on the SINAI.Niya It was a small nation existing during Egypt’s New
Kingdom Period (1550–1070 B.C.E.). A client state of
Egypt, Niya was situated on the banks of the Orontes
River, bordering Nuhashe and Barga. The HITTITEScon-
quered the region, ending Niya’s ties with Egypt. The
small nation was absorbed into other cultures and ceased
to exist in the area.Nodjmet(fl. 11th century B.C.E.) Royal woman of the
Twentieth Dynasty
She was the wife of HERIHOR, the high priest of AMUNat
THEBES, in the reign of RAMESSES XI(1100–1070 B.C.E.),
and was depicted in reliefs in the temple of Khonsu at
KARNAK. Her mummified remains, recovered in Thebes,
had her heart within her body. Her hair was braided,
and she had artificial eyes and packed limbs and cheeks.
Nodjmet’s mummy reflects new embalming techniquesNodjmet 279