father,” a phrase denoting his role. He built himself a
smaller gravesite in the VALLEY OF THE KINGS.
The Papyrus Harris I described Bay as “the Syrian
who made himself chief.” The name Irsu translates as a
“self-made usurper.” His attempt to rule after Twosret
died brought SETHNAKHTE, the founder of the Twentieth
Dynasty, to action in Thebes. Bay’s Egyptian name was
Ramesse-kha’emnetjeru. Bay’s tomb was taken over by
RAMESSES IIIfor the burial of one of his family members,
and his remains are unidentified. The tomb was vast and
filled with reliefs.
bay A surveying instrument used by the ancient Egyp-
tians for determining Nile sites and for architectural plan-
ning, the baygave the builders an accurate sighting on
the horizon and charted the terrain, important elements
in the construction of TEMPLESand shrines.
beards Sacred symbols in the early eras of Egypt, the
first conquerors, such as NARMERand the SCORPIONKing,
were depicted as having beards. Reliefs of the Early
Dynastic Period (2920–2575 B.C.E.) display beards as
well. References to the kings and gods even in later peri-
ods noted that these divine beings wore “beards like lapis
lazuli.” These beards were affectations, however, as the
Egyptians normally were clean-shaven or wore only mus-
taches.
Beatty Papyrus IV, Chester A document that dates to
the Ramessid Period, the Nineteenth and Twentieth
Dynasties (1307–1070 B.C.E.), the papyrus contains med-
ical diagnoses and prescriptions for the treatment of dis-
eases of the anus. The breast, heart, and bladder are also
discussed, indicating an advanced knowledge about the
human anatomy concerning organ functions and symp-
toms. Such papyri have offered modern scholars an
insight into the sophisticated medical knowledge and
practices of the ancient Egyptians, a science that was not
attributed to them in the past.
See also MEDICINE.
Bebi(fl. 21st century B.C.E.) Official of the Eleventh
Dynasty
He served MONTUHOTEP II(r. 2061–2010 B.C.E.) as chan-
cellor and administered the affairs of a united land. He
was also a NOMARCH, a hereditary nobleman of DEN-
DEREH, part of the aristocratic clan in power in that cult
center for the goddess HATHOR.
Bedouins (Badu, Bedu, Bedwi, Bedawi, Bed-
way) The Asiatic, nomadic tribes of the southern SINAI,
on Egypt’s eastern border, the tribes threatened Egyptian
mining interests in the region. The Bedouins tried to hold
their ground against the many expeditions sent by the
Egyptians in the early eras of the nation. Such expedi-
tions were designed to locate quarries, mines, and other
natural resources. In time full operations were conducted
in Bedouin territories, resulting in military campaigns
and the eventual displacement of the tribes. The Bedwi
were sometimes recorded as the Shashi,and they were
believed to have been members of the Khabiri clan of the
Sinai, active in that historical period.
See also EGYPTIAN NATURAL RESOURCES.beer Called heneket or booza, a popular drink in
ancient Egypt, the brew was made of barley and home-
brewed in some areas. Pieces of barley bread were soaked
in water, and the beer was drained off after a period of
fermentation. Beer was kept in vats in cellars and store-
houses and was consumed by rich and poor alike. Mod-
ern excavations of Egyptian brewery sites indicate that
the beer was usually potent. A brewery in HIERAKONPOLIS
was recently discovered. Another brewery was discov-
ered on the GIZAplateau near the pyramids. Various
brews were served to the local work crews at least three
or four times a day. There were five types of beer avail-
able, stored in jars. Some were made of barley, emmer, or
both grains, and dates, honey, and spices were added for
flavors. The Egyptian beer was nutritious and was used
as a staple in the diets of commoners in all historical
periods.
See also AGRICULTURE;FOODS.bees A favored insect of the Egyptians, used as a source
of HONEYfrom the earliest years in the Nile Valley, the bee
products resulting from the keeping of hives were taxed
by the state in the Ptolemaic Period (304–30 B.C.E.). Bee-
keeping methods and breeding programs were instituted
at this time in the Nile Valley, as honey was a staple in the
diets of the people.
See also FOODS.Behbeit el-Hagar (Per-hebyt, Iseum) This was a
site in the north central territory of the Delta, near SEBEN-
NYTOS(modern Sammanud). A temple dedicated to the
goddess ISISwas built in Behbeit el-Hagar. Reliefs were
placed in the temple by NECTANEBO I(r. 380–362 B.C.E.)
and NECTANEBO II (r. 360–343 B.C.E.). PTOLEMY II
PHILADELPHUS(r. 285–246 B.C.E.) completed the temple,
and PTOLEMY III EUERGETES (r. 246–221 B.C.E.) added
other reliefs. The temple of Isis was plundered in a later
era by the Romans, and parts of it were taken to Rome for
the observances of the Isis cult there.Behdet See EDFU.Behnesa See OXYRRYNCHUS(1).Behnesa 67