Merysankh (1)(fl. 26th century B.C.E.)Royal woman
of the Third Dynasty
She was a lesser consort of HUNI(r. 2599–2575 B.C.E.)
and the mother of SNEFRU, the founder of the Fourth
Dynasty. Probably a commoner by birth, she was report-
edly deified in later dynasties.
Merysankh (2)(fl. 26th century B.C.E.)Royal woman
of the Fourth Dynasty
A daughter of KHUFU(r. 2551–2528 B.C.E.) and Queen
MERITITES(1), Merysankh’s life is not detailed.
Merysankh (3) (Meresankh, Mersyankh)(fl. 26th
century B.C.E.) Royal woman of the Fourth Dynasty
Merysankh was the daughter of Prince KEWABand Queen
HETEPHERES(2) and granddaughter of KHUFUand Queen
MERITITES(1). She was the consort of KHAFRE(Chephren;
r. 2520–2494 B.C.E.). Merysankh was called “the King’s
Beloved Wife,” “the Mistress of DENDEREH,” “the Priestess
of Bapefy,” “the Priestess of THOTH,” and “the Priestess of
HATHOR.” She inherited Prince Kewab’s estate when he
died in mysterious circumstances and was at court when
her mother, Hetepheres (2), married RA’DJEDEF(r. 2528–
2520 B.C.E.). Marrying Khafre, Ra’djedef’s successor,
Merysankh became the mother of Prince Nebemakhet,
Prince Khenterka, Prince Duwanera, and Princess Shep-
setkau, along with other children.
She died suddenly in the reign of MENKAURÉ
(2490–2472 B.C.E.), and her mother gave her the magnifi-
cent GIZAtomb that she had prepared for her own use.
The MASTABAat Giza’s eastern cemetery has a subter-
ranean rock-cut chapel, a main chamber, false doors, and
a shaft. Statues and reliefs within the tomb depict the
royal family. Merysankh’s embalming process was
recorded as lasting a record 272 days. Her son Prince
NEBEMAKHETis among those portrayed in reliefs.
Meryt-Amun (1) (Meryt-Aten)(fl. 14th century B.C.E.)
Royal woman of the Eighteenth Dynasty
She was the wife of SMENKHARÉ (r. 1335–1333 B.C.E.).
Meryt-Amun was the daughter of AKHENATEN(Amen-
hotep IV) and Queen NEFERTITI. When Nefertiti left
Akhenaten’s palace in ’AMARNAand took up residence in
her own mansion, Meryt-Amun became queen in her
place, even though she was married to Smenkharé. The
death of Akhenaten in 1335 B.C.E. brought about
Smenkharé’s coronation. He had been Akhenaten’s atten-
dant for two years and had assumed many administrative
duties.
Smenkharé and Meryt-Amun returned to THEBESto
placate the priests of AMUNand the military faction led by
General HOREMHAB. She was the mother of Merytaten-
Tasherit and Merytaten the Younger. She died before
Smenkharé.
Meryt-Amun (2)(fl. 15th century B.C.E.) Royal woman
of the Eighteenth Dynasty
She was a daughter of TUTHMOSIS IIIand a consort of
AMENHOTEP II(r. 1427–1401 B.C.E.). Meryt-Amun died at
age 50 and was depicted as delicate, with brown wavy
hair. She was buried at DEIR EL-BAHRIin two coffins, one
fashioned out of cedar. PINUDJEM(1), the high priest of
AMUNin the Twenty-first Dynasty, usurped Meryt-Amun’s
tomb for his daughter, Princess Entiu-nywas.Meryt-Amun (3)(fl. 13th century B.C.E.) Royal woman
of the Nineteenth Dynasty
She was the eldest daughter of RAMESSES II(r. 1290–1224
B.C.E.) and Queen NEFERTARI. When Nefertari died or
retired to the harem palace near the FAIYUM, Meryt-Amun
became a queen, ranking second to BINT-ANATH, her sis-
ter. A statue of Meryt-Amun, colossal in size and beauti-
fully made, was unearthed recently at AKHMIN. The lips of
the statue have retained the original red paint.Meryt-Atum(fl. 13th century B.C.E.)Prince of the Nine-
teenth Dynasty
The son of RAMESSES II(r. 1290–1224 B.C.E.) and Queen
NEFERTARI, he became the high priest of Ré in HELIOPOLIS.
Meryt-Atum was depicted in reliefs as campaigning with
Ramesses II in the SINAI.Meryt-Ré-Hatshepsut (fl. 15th century B.C.E.)Royal
woman of the Eighteenth Dynasty
She was the consort of TUTHMOSIS III (r. 1479–1425
B.C.E.). Possibly the daughter of the God’s Wife, Huy,
Meryt-Ré-Hatshepsut was not the first “Great Wife,” hav-
ing been preceded by two others. She was, however, the
mother of the heir, AMENHOTEP II. Meryt-Ré-Hatshepsut
outlived Tuthmosis III and was honored in her son’s
reign. She was buried at THEBES, in the VALLEY OF THE
QUEENS. The tomb designated as hers, however, does not
appear to have been used. A quartzite, unfinished SAR-
COPHAGUS was found in that tomb. She was also the
mother of MERYT-AMUN(2) and Nebetiunet.Meseket It was a sacred bark used by the god RÉin his
nightly descent from the heavens. Ré rode on the MANDET
in the morning to ascend into the sky on his appointed
rounds. These sacred barks were accompanied by other
divine beings and by the deceased souls who were not
deemed worthy of eternal paradise but were allowed to
survive in ETERNITYin the retinues of the gods.
See also BARKS OF THE GODS.Mesentiu The name of an ancient Egyptian group that
originated in EDFU, a site south of THEBES, in Upper
Egypt. The Mesentiu are featured in early accounts of the
unification of the nation. They are part of “the Sons of242 Merysankh