Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt

Khnumhotep (3)(fl. 20th century B.C.E.)Nomarch and
royal servant
He was the son of KHNUMHOTEP(2) and succeeded him as
ruler of the Oryx nome. He was buried with his ancestors
in BENI HASAN.

Khnumt (Khnumyt, Khnumet)(fl. 19th century B.C.E.)
Royal woman of the Twelfth Dynasty
She was probably the daughter of AMENEMHET II (r.
1929–1892 B.C.E.). Khnumt was buried during his reign at
DASHUR. A cache of her royal jewels was found in the
necropolis there, and the necklaces and crowns are
remarkable for their beauty and craftsmanship. A trapdoor
covered the entrance of her tomb, hiding it from robbers.
A sandstone sarcophagus was in place in the tomb, but
her mummified remains were badly damaged by robbers.

Khokha A site between SHEIKH ABD’ EL-QURNAand DEIR
EL-BAHRI, serving as a necropolis on the western side of
the Nile at THEBES. Tombs dating to the Sixth Dynasty
(2323–2150 B.C.E.) were discovered in this necropolis,
cut into the rocks. New Kingdom (1550–1070 B.C.E.)
tombs were also built in Khokha. Several of the burial
sites are beautifully painted and have fine reliefs.

Khons (1) He was a moon deity, patron of childbirth,
and member of the THEBANtriad with AMUNand MUT. His
name was formed from khfor placenta, and nsuor nsw
for ruler. He is usually depicted as a royal young man
with the lock of youth, mummy wrappings, and the
scepter of PTAH, or the CROOKand the FLAIL. His cult was
popular throughout Egypt, and he is shown in reliefs at
KARNAK, THEBES, MEDINET HABU, and the RAMESSEUM.
At KOM OMBO, Khons was honored as the son of
SOBEKand HATHOR. There he was a lunar deity. At Karnak
he was called Khons Neferhotep, “the Maker of Des-
tinies.” As Khons-Pa-Khart, he was “the Child” or “the
Full Moon.” Khons-Hunnu was “the Strong Youth,” “the
Bull of His Mother,” a source of regeneration. Wearing
the crescent and full-moon symbols on his head and the
elaborate menatcollar, Khons was the celestial chronogra-
pher, reckoning time. As Khons-pa-ari-Sekheru, the deity
had authority over all evil spirits. In this capacity he was
recorded in the BENTRESH STELAas an exorcist.
The Bentresh Stela dates to the reign of RAMESSES II
(r. 1290–1224 B.C.E.) and is presently in LUXOR. This

An Osiride Pillar, a statue of Ramesses II

Khons to a neighboring ruler to cure his daughter, who
was suffering from demonic possession. The statue was
Khons-the-Expeller-of-Demons. The god was also associ-
ated with RÉin some periods and was then called Khons-
ré. Khons personally designed the statue of his divine
person that was taken to the sick or the possessed. The
daughter was cured, and Khons was honored with a
shrine. The ruler, however, had a vision almost four years

later, indicating that Khons wished to return to Egypt. He

was sent back to the Nile with a treasury of gifts.

Khons (2)(fl. 13th century B.C.E.)Priestly official of the

Nineteenth Dynasty

He served in the reign of RAMESSES II (r. 1290–1224

B.C.E.) as the high priest of the cult of the deified TUTH-

MOSIS III. His tomb was discovered at KHOKHA on the

western side of THEBES. Within the tomb the cults of

Tuthmosis III and MONTU are depicted in reliefs and

paintings. The ceiling of the tomb chamber also has

birds, grapes, and textile designs. The arrival of the bark

of the god Montu is elaborately portrayed.

Khufu (Cheops)(d. 2528 B.C.E.)Second ruler of the

Fourth Dynasty

He reigned from 2551 B.C.E. until his death. He was the

builder of the Great PYRAMIDat GIZA. His name is a short-

ened version of Khnum-khuefui,“Khnum Protects Me.”

The Greeks listed him as Cheops. The son of SNEFRUand

Queen HETEPHERES(1), Khufu ruled a unified country

and used capable relatives as administrators. His Great

Wife was MERITITES(1), who gave birth to Prince KEWAB

and probably HETEPHERES (2). Another wife, Queen

HENUTSEN, bore Prince Khufukhaf and probably KHAFRE

(Chephren). There was another unidentified queen, pos-

sibly NEFERKAU, who gave birth to RA’DJEDEF.

Khufu’s offspring included as well DJEDEFHOR,

Khumbaef, MERYSANKH(2), MINKHAF, NEFERMA’AT, KHAME-

RERNEBTI(1), Djedef’Aha, and others. The royal family

was actually divided into two political and clan groups,

with rivalries and disputes that affected the dynasty after

Khufu’s demise. The reputation of Khufu was not good,

as a result. Greek historians claimed they were informed

of the details by Egyptian records and wrote ill of him.

Khufu 203

The Great Pyramid at Giza—Khufu’s monument—the only

Hieroglyphs, the writing of ancient Egyptians

Steve Beikirch.)