of the temple of HATSHEPSUT (r. 1473–1458 B.C.E.).
Within the lower chamber 153 sets of COFFINSwere dis-
covered, aligned side by side, containing remains of the
personnel of the temples of the god AMUN. Funerary
regalia, stelae, and other objects were also recovered on
the site.
Bab el-Hosan The name given to a tomb under the
pyramidal complex of MONTUHOTEP II (r. 2061–2010
B.C.E.) of the Eleventh Dynasty at DEIR EL-BAHRI, the
burial site is actually below a forecourt of the Deir el-
Bahri complex on the western shore of THEBES, near the
kiosk of TUTHMOSIS III(r. 1479–1425 B.C.E.). It appears to
have been a CENOTAPHstructure, a symbolic tomb that
was never used. No mummified remains were discovered
there.
baboon Originally called Hedjerew, or “the Great
White One,” the dog-headed variety, Papio cymocephalus,
is a theophany of the gods THOTH and KHONS(1). A
baboon sat in the JUDGMENT HALLS OF OSIRIS, erect upon
the scales used to weigh souls. The animal informed the
gods when the balance was achieved upon the scale
between the symbol of righteousness and the soul. Some
temples kept baboons as mascots. Quartzite colossal stat-
ues of baboons were found in HERMOPOLIS MAGNA, and
they were depicted in a relief at ABU SIMBEL.
See also BAIN-A’ABTIU;BAKHAU.
Bacchias (Bakchis, Bakkhis) A site in the FAIYUM
region, near KARANIS, dating to the Late Period (712–332
B.C.E.). The site was built on two rises and was a sister
city to Hephaistias. A temple to the obscure deity SOKNO-
KNONNEUSis nearby.
Badari, el- A site near Matmar, in Upper Egypt, serving
as a Predynastic necropolis, it adjoins the necropolises of
Mostagedda, Deir Tasa, and Hammamia. El-Badari is the
source of all data concerning the Badarian culture.
See also EGYPT.
Badarian See EGYPT.
Ba’eb Djet (Banaded, Mendes) This is the ancient
Egyptian name for the sacred ram of MENDES. Depicted
with elaborate horns surmounted by the URAEUS, the ani-
mal was carefully sought and tested for signs of its fitness
to serve as a manifestation of RÉ,OSIRIS, and PTAH.In
some eras the ram was believed to house Osiris’s soul.
Ba’eb Djet was altered to Banaded in time, which the
Greeks translated as MENDES. A living ram was kept in the
temple at Mendes to ward off misfortunes. THOTH, the
god of wisdom, is supposed to have recommended this
practice in ancient times. The ram was a popular subject
for statues and reliefs. In later eras the animal stood as a
symbol of the great god AMUN. In this form the ram had
great curved horns and an elaborate crown.Bagoas(fl. fourth century B.C.E.)Eunuch chamberlain of
the Persian Empire and a notorious slayer
He was a confidential friend of ARTAXERXES III OCHUSwho
ruled Egypt 343–332 B.C.E., after defeating NECTANEBO II
(r. 360–343 B.C.E.) at PELUSIUM. Bagoas’s name is the
Greek form of the Persian word for eunuch.
When Artaxerxes III conquered Egypt, Bagoas was
commander in chief of the Achaemenid forces. He looted
the Egyptian temples and sold the sacred papyri back to
the priests at exorbitant prices, thus amassing consider-
able wealth. Bagoas also worked with Mentor of Rhodes
and consolidated his power in court. Bagoas poisoned
Artaxerxes III and all of his sons, except ARSES, whom he
placed on the throne. Two years later, Arses was also poi-
soned by the eunuch to make way for DARIUS III. Bagoas
made an attempt at a court gathering to slay Darius III
but was forced to drink from the royal cup that he offered
the king and promptly died.Baharia Oasis This site is located in the LIBYAN DESERT,
southwest of HERAKLEOPOLIS MAGNA, considered one of
the most important of the ancient Egyptian oases.
KAMOSE, the last ruler of the Seventeenth Dynasty (r.
1555–1550 B.C.E.) rested at this oasis with his troops
while campaigning against the Hyksos (Asiatics) in the
northern territories. The Baharia Oasis, hidden in an
expanse of sand and wilderness, served as a sanctuary for
Egyptians in this era. The oasis was also a starting point
for desert caravans to the Nile. The wines of the region
were popular in ancient times and were considered an
important tribute from the area.
El-Qasr is now the capital of the Baharia Oasis,
which has become a modern archaeological focus because
of the VALLEY OF THE GILDED MUMMIES, a Greco-Roman
necropolis. Also on the site are tombs and monuments
from various historical periods. Amenhotep Huy, agover-
nor of the oasis during the New Kingdom (1550–1070
B.C.E.) is buried in a site at Qarat Heluwat. The IBIScata-
comb and tombs of the Twenty-sixth Dynasty (664–525
B.C.E.) are at el-Qasr and at el-Bawiti, along with the
chapel of APRIES(r. 589–570 B.C.E.). At Qasr Allam there
is a stone chapel of ALEXANDER III THE GREAT(r. 332–323
B.C.E.).
Baharia Oasis also served as a cult center for the
god BES.A temple was erected for the deity there, com-
plete with a causeway, halls, magazines, and shafts. A
statue of Bes was also recovered on the site. Temples
dating to the reigns of Apries and Alexander the Great
are preserved.Bahnasa, el- See OXYRRYNCHUS(1).Bahnasa, el- 63