on the popular theme of a nation in distress. He carries
on a conversation with his heart and receives counsel for
silent courage in the face of adversity. The Complaints
develops a dolorous cadence and is similar to, or perhaps
a version of, the “DEBATE OF A MAN WITH HIS SOUL.” The
work became the staple of schools and survived as a les-
son board. Egyptians appreciated didactic LITERATUREas
well as poetry and religious works.
Khama’at (Ma’atkha)(fl. 25th century B.C.E.)Princess
of the Fifth Dynasty
She was a daughter of SHEPSESKHAF(r. 2472–2467 B.C.E.)
and Queen KHENTAKAWES(1) and is also called Ma’atkha
in some records. Khama’at married PTAHSHEPSES(1) the
high priest of MEMPHIS, who had been raised and edu-
cated in the royal palace as a companion of MENKAURÉ
(Mycerinus; r. 2490–2472 B.C.E.) and Shepseskhaf.
Khamerernebty (1)(fl. 25th century B.C.E.) Royal wo-
man of the Fourth Dynasty
She was the consort of KHAFRE(Chephren; r. 2520–2494
B.C.E.) and probably the mother of MENKAURÉ(Myceri-
nus, the heir), and Princess KHAMERERNEBTY (2).
Khamerernebty was a daughter of KHUFU. She was buried
in a large tomb east of Khafre’s pyramid at GIZA.
Khamerernebty (2)(fl. 25th century B.C.E.) Royal
woman of the Fourth Dynasty
She was a daughter of KHAFRE(Chephren; 2520–2494
B.C.E.) and probably Queen KHAMERERNEBTY (1). The
consort of MENKAURÉ(Mycerinus; r. 2490–2472 B.C.E.),
she was the mother of Prince Khuneré, who died young.
A statue of her was discovered in Menkauré’s mortuary
complex. Khamerernebty was also the mother of the heir,
SHEPSESKHAF. She was not buried near her husband but
within her father’s mortuary complex.
Khamet(fl. 14th century B.C.E.)Eighteenth Dynasty
treasury official
He served TUTHMOSIS IV(r. 1401–1391 B.C.E.) and AMEN-
HOTEP III(r. 1391–1353 B.C.E.) as a treasurer and superin-
tendent of royal building projects of the dynasty. Khamet
was buried on the western shore of the Nile at THEBES,
and his tomb has reliefs depict the military campaigns of
Egypt during his term of service.
khamsin An Arabic name for a seasonal storm condi-
tion in the Nile Valley arising in February or March and
lasting about two months, the khamsinis composed of
southerly or southwesterly winds, sometimes reaching
intense velocities. Diurnal, meaning that the wind speeds
increase throughout the daylight hours, the khamsin
brings sand into the populated territories. The storm sea-
son was viewed as a time of contagion and disease, end-
ing with “the sweet breath of the north wind” that
brought welcome relief. How early the khamsinappeared
in the Nile is not clearly documented. Climatic changes
may have brought the storm season into Egypt in
pharaonic times, or it may be a relatively modern phe-
nomenon.Khamudi (Swoserenré, Asseth, A’azekhre)(d. c.
1523 B.C.E.) Last ruler of the HYKSOSFifteenth Dynasty,
called the Great Hyksos
Khamudi reigned from c. 1550 B.C.E. until his death. He
is listed in the TURIN CANONand was called Asseth by
MANETHO, the Ptolemaic Period (304–30 B.C.E.) historian.
In other lists he is named A’azekhre. Khamudi’s OBELISK
was discovered at the abandoned capital of AVARISin the
eastern Delta. He had the misfortune of ascending to
power when ’AHMOSE(r. 1550–1525 B.C.E.) became the
founder of the Eighteenth Dynasty at THEBES. There was a
period of comparative calm for the first decade of
’Ahmose’s reign, but upon reaching majority he renewed
Thebes’s assault on the Hyksos, ultimately ousting them
from power and forcing them to flee from Egypt.Kharga Oasis A miniature jewel in the LIBYAN DESERT,
called Uakt-rest, the Outer or Southern Oasis, Kharga was
also part of “the OASES ROUTE.” Located some 77 miles
southwest of ASSIUT, Kharga contains temples and towns,
including HIBIS. A temple to AMUNwas established there
in the reign of DARIUS I(521–486 B.C.E.) and refurbished
in later periods. This temple had an elaborate sacred lake
and an avenue of sphinxes. Other temples were built in
honor of ISIS, MUT, KHONS(2), and SERAPIS. Kharga, the
largest of the oases, was a vital TRADEoutpost. With the
other oases it served as an agricultural resource, a haven
for fugitives, and in some historical periods, a place of
exile for individuals banned by the pharaoh.
See alsoOASES.Kha’sekhemwy (Kheneres)(fl. c. 2640 B.C.E.) Final
ruler of the Second Dynasty, the actual unifier of Egypt
He reigned c. 2640 and was called Kheneres by MANETHO,
the Ptolemaic historian. Kha’sekhemwy is credited with
the actual completion of Egypt’s unification, changing his
name from Kha’sekhem to Kha’sekhemwy as a result. His
name after the unification meant “the Two Kingdoms Are
at Peace in Him.”
The task was not an easy one, and his three-decade
rule was turbulent. He might not have been the direct
successor to PERIBSEN. The names of the pharaohs Sendji,
Neterka, and Neferkara appear as interlopers in some
king lists, or they may have been the rebels subdued by
Kha’sekhemwy. He is recorded as campaigning in DEN-
DEREH, Minya, ELKAB, the FAIYUM, and in some northern
regions that rebelled against his rule. The bases of his
statuary announced that 47,209 rebels died in battle.Kha’sekhemwy 199