was a NOMEaristocrat who was appointed high priest in
the seventeenth year of Ramesses’ reign. He was a descen-
dant of the KHETYclan of the Ninth and Tenth Dynasties.
Nebenteru’s son, PASER(2), became vizier in the same
period. In some lists Nebenteru is simply called Ter. He
was the successor of NEBWENEFas high priest.
Nebertcher A divine being of Egypt, believed to be a
personification of the deities RÉand OSIRIS, Nebertcher
was viewed as embodying the eternal aspects of these
deities involved in the elaborate MORTUARY RITUALSof the
nation.
Neberu(fl. 15th century B.C.E.)Prince and military offi-
cial of the Eighteenth Dynasty
He served TUTHMOSIS III(r. 1479–1425 B.C.E.) as chief of
the royal stables, a high-ranking post in this era of cav-
alry units, military campaigns, and imperial expansion.
His tomb is in the VALLEY OF THE QUEENSon the western
side of the NILEat THEBES. The portrait of him on the lid
of his coffin bears a striking resemblance to Neberu’s
actual mummified remains.
Nebet(fl. 24th century B.C.E.)Royal woman of the Fifth
Dynasty
A consort of UNIS(r. 2356–2323 B.C.E.), she was buried
with Queen KHENUTnear the mortuary temple of Unis’s
pyramidal complex at SAQQARA. Nebet’s MASTABAtomb was
beautifully decorated and contains a painted scene depict-
ing her in a seated position, smelling a lotus blossom.
Nebetku(fl. c. 29th century B.C.E.)Court official of the
First Dynasty
Nebetku served DEN(reign uncertain) as a court steward.
His tomb in the northern section of SAQQARAwas altered
twice during its construction, reflecting the emerging
styles of the period. The tomb was designed as a pyramid
originally but eventually became a MASTABA, indicating
architectural aspirations that could not be accomplished
at the time.
Nebetu’u (1) A goddess worshiped in ESNA, she was
considered a form of the popular deity HATHOR. Nebetu’u
was addressed as “the Mistress of the Territory.” Her cult
was not long-standing or well known in the Nile Valley.
Nebetu’u (2)(fl. 15th century B.C.E.)Royal woman of
the Eighteenth Dynasty
She was a lesser-ranked consort of TUTHMOSIS III (r.
1479–1425 B.C.E.). Nebetu’u died at a young age. She was
depicted on a mortuary stela discovered in the tomb of an
official of a later reign, NEBAMUN(1), perhaps denoting
some sort of familial relationship. She was possibly the
daughter of Prince Setum of the royal family.
Nebhepetré See MONTUHOTEP II.Nebireyeraw (Swadjenré, Nebiryaw I)(fl. 17th cent-
uryB.C.E.)Ruler of the Seventeenth Dynasty
Nebireyeraw controlled THEBESand Upper Egypt and
was a contemporary of the Hyksos ruler KHIAN, whose
capital was at AVARIS. Nebireyeraw, also listed as
Nebiryaw I, is noted for his stela at KARNAK. This monu-
ment commemorates the sale of a hereditary governor-
ship at ELKAB(Nekheb) and deals with legal matters
concerning the role of the vizier. The dates of his
reign are uncertain, but he probably succeeded SOBE-
KEMSAF I.Nebka (Zanakht, Neferkaure, Nebku, Sanakht,
Zanakhte)(d. 2630 B.C.E.)Founder of the Third Dynasty
of Egypt
He ruled from 2649 B.C.E. until his death. The name
Zanakht means “Strong Protection.” A brother of his suc-
cessor, DJOSER, Nebka had a reign that was militarily
active. He exploited the SINAI, mining there for copper
and turquoise, and his name was found inscribed at WADI
MAGHARA. His royal seals were also found on ELEPHAN-
TINEIsland, and he was mentioned in a tomb at BEIT
KHALLAF, north of ABYDOS.
Nebka was probably buried to the west of Djo-
ser’s STEP PYRAMID at the vast mortuary complex at
SAQQARA. He was mentioned in the WESTCARPAPYRUS,
and his mortuary cult was popular for decades in the
region.Nebseni Papyrus This is an Egyptian mortuary text,
older than the famed ANI PAPYRUS. Now in the British
Museum, Nebseni’s Papyrus is 76 feet long by one foot
wide. It is a mortuary commemorative document, a
revised version of the original, following the Theban
changes of the later periods, called a RECENSION. The
texts included in the papyrus are sometimes outlined in
black. An address of the god HORUSto his father, the god
OSIRIS, is included in the document. The papyrus was dis-
covered in DEIR EL-BAHRIin 1881.Nebt(fl. 21st century B.C.E.)Noblewoman and heiress of
the Eleventh Dynasty
Nebt was the heiress to the estates of the ELEPHANTINE
Island at ASWAN. The mother of Princess NEFERU-KHAYET
(2), who become a consort of MONTUHOTEP II (r.
2061–2010 B.C.E.), Nebt held a unique position in her
own right. She was a patroness of the arts and retained
librarians and scholars on her estates. Nebt held the rank
of NOME princess and was commemorated on a STELA
erected in her territory.Nebti Name See also ROYAL NAMES.264 Nebertcher