B.C.E.) and made legally binding decisions and imposed
penalties on the nome level. The great kenbet, the
national equivalent of modern supreme courts, heard
appeals and rendered legal decisions on all cases except
those involving treason or any other capital offense.
These matters were not within the jurisdiction of any
legal institution but were reserved to the ruler alone.
See also “ELOQUENT PEASANT”; LEGAL SYSTEM.
kenken-ur A term used to designate the Great Cackler,
the mythological cosmic layer of the cosmic egg, the
Goose-goddess, Ser-t. The term kenken-urwas associated
as well with the earth deity, GEB, who sired OSIRIS, ISIS,
SET, and NEPHTHYS. His wife was NUT, the sky.
Keper(fl. 12th century B.C.E.)Ruler of the land of Libya
in the reign of Ramesses III (1194–1163 B.C.E.)
He faced an invasion of his domain and then united with
his enemies to assault Egypt. The MESHWESH, a tribe liv-
ing deep in the Libyan Desert, allied themselves with
Keper and his son, Meshesher, when they entered his ter-
ritory. In turn, Keper and the Meshwesh invaded Egypt.
They entered the canal called “the Water of Ré,” in the
western Delta. Ramesses III attacked the invading force
and routed them, chasing the enemy some 12 miles into
the Libyan Desert. Meshesher was captured along with
2,052 prisoners, while 2,175 Libyans were slain. A wall
text and a relief at MEDINET HABUdocument Keper’s pleas
for his own life, apparently in vain.
See also SEA PEOPLES.
Kermeh (Kerma) A site and culture at the second
cataract of the Nile in Kush, or NUBIA(modern Sudan),
The region was somewhat controlled by Egypt as early as
the Middle Kingdom (2048–1640 B.C.E.). AMENEMHET I
(r. 1991–1962 B.C.E.) of the Twelfth Dynasty erected a
fortress at Kermeh. In time the people of Kermeh
became a powerful state, ruled by kings who used the
traditions of Egypt for their religious and national prior-
ities. These royals were buried in circular mounds,
accompanied by slain courtiers and servants. During the
Second Intermediate Period (1640–1550 B.C.E.), the
Kermeh people allied themselves with the HYKSOS, the
Asiatics who ruled from AVARIS in the Delta. Taking
over the Egyptian fortresses on the Nile, the people of
Kermeh advanced toward Egypt. One group led by
A’ATAwas halted by ’AHMOSE(r. 1550–1525 B.C.E.) and
slain. Egypt maintained control of Kermeh for centuries
afterward.
Kersek-shu See JUDGMENT HALLS OF OSIRIS.
Kewab(fl. 26th century B.C.E.) Prince of the Fourth
Dynasty, possibly murdered by a rival heir to the throne
He was a son of KHUFU(Cheops; r. 2551–2528 B.C.E.) and
Queen MERITITES (1) and the designated heir to the
throne. Kewab married HETEPHERES(2), a royal heiress.
They had a daughter, MERYSANKH(3) and other children.
Kewab died suddenly, possibly the victim of an assassina-
tion, as the royal family was composed of two different
factions at the time.
He was depicted as a portly man in Queen Mery-
sankh’s tomb, a site prepared for her mother and given to
her when she died at a relatively young age. Kewab was
buried in a MASTABAnear the Great PYRAMIDof Khufu. His
mortuary cult was popular in MEMPHIS, and in the New
Kingdom (1550–1070 B.C.E.), Prince KHA’EMWESET(1), a
son of Ramesses II, restored Kewab’s statue.Kha(fl. 15th century B.C.E.)Official of the Eighteenth
Dynasty
He served AMENHOTEP II(r. 1427–1401 B.C.E.) and his
two successors, TUTHMOSIS IV(r. 1401–1391 B.C.E.) and
AMENHOTEP III(r. 1391–1353 B.C.E.). Kha was an architect
involved in mortuary complexes for the royal families. He
was buried at THEBES.Kha’ba (Tety)(d. 2599 B.C.E.)Fourth ruler of the Third
Dynasty
He reigned from 2603 B.C.E. until his death. His name
meant “the Soul Appears,” and he was the successor of
SEKHEMKHETon the throne. Kha’ba was listed on stone
vessels in SAQQARA and in the tomb of SAHURÉ (r.
2458–2446 B.C.E.). He built the pyramid at ZAWIET EL-
ARYAN, between GIZAand ABUSIR. A layered pyramid, orig-
inally with seven steps, Kha’ba’s tomb contained a
SARCOPHAGUSof alabaster. The pyramid was never com-
pleted and apparently was not used. MASTABAtombs were
erected near his pyramid, probably for his royal family
members and high-ranking courtiers.Khababash(fl. c. 338 B.C.E.) Egyptian rebel mentioned
in the “Satrap Stela”
Considered a successor to NECTANEBO II(r. c. 360–343
B.C.E.), Khababash led a revolt against the Persians some-
time around 338 B.C.E. PTOLEMY I SOTER (r. 304–284
B.C.E.) was the satrap (provincial governor) of Egypt for
PHILIP III ARRHIDAEUS(r. 333–316 B.C.E.) and ALEXANDER
IV(r. 316–304 B.C.E.) when he issued the stela to link his
own rule to that of Khababash, who was a national hero.
Khababash ruled over a small region of Egypt, during the
Persian occupation of the Nile Valley. He had the throne
name of Senentanen-setepenptah.
See also REBELS OF EGYPT.Khabrias(fl. fourth century B.C.E.)Greek mercenary
general
He commanded the mercenary forces serving HAKORIS
(r. 393–380 B.C.E.) of the Twenty-ninth Dynasty. AnKhabrias 197