Neper was incorporated into the cult of OSIRISsoon after
the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt. Many Osirian
traditions and cultic rituals involved beds of grain and
harvest observances, probably stemming from Neper’s
prior ceremonies.
See also OSIRIS BEDS; OSIRIS GARDENS.
Nephrites I (Baenre’merynetjeru)(d. 393 B.C.E.)
Founder of the Twenty-ninth Dynasty
He ruled from 399 B.C.E. until his death. Nephrites I’s
capital was at MENDES, but he controlled a good portion
of the Nile Valley. He captured AMYRTAIOSof SAIS (r.
404–393 B.C.E.) and executed him at MEMPHIS. He also
fought off ARTAXERXES IIIand the Persians. As ruler, he
erected monuments throughout Egypt, refurbished exist-
ing sites, and also served as a patron of the APISbull cult.
Nephrites I was probably buried in Mendes. His SHABTI,
the tomb figurine, was found in a sarcophagus there, and
a tomb chapel on the site is believed to have been part of
his mortuary complex. At his death, PSAMMETICHUS(4)
vied with Nephrites I’s son and heir and usurped the
throne.
Nephrites II(fl. 380 B.C.E.)Deposed ruler of the Twenty-
ninth Dynasty
He inherited the throne in 380 B.C.E. from his father
HAKORISbut was threatened by the rise of a new royal
line. Nephrites ruled only four months, being deposed by
NECTANEBO I(r. 380–362 B.C.E.).
Nephthys (Nebt-het) The ancient Egyptian goddess,
called the consort and female counterpart to SET, origi-
nally addressed as Nebt-het, she was the sister of ISIS,
OSIRIS, and SET and tricked Osiris into siring her son,
ANUBIS. When Osiris was slain, Nephthys aided Isis in
finding his body and resurrecting him. She was part of
the revered LAMENTATIONS OF ISIS AND NEPHTHYS.
Nephthys was a patroness of the dead and was asso-
ciated as well with the cult of MIN. She was also a mem-
ber of the ENNEADof HELIOPOLIS. The goddess took the
form of a kite, a bird displayed in funerary processions,
and she was the patroness of HAPI, one of the CANOPIC JAR
guardians. Her cult at Kom-Mer in Upper Egypt contin-
ued throughout all historical periods. She was called “the
Lady of the Mansions” or “the Lady of the Books.” She
was also identified with the desert regions and was skilled
in magic. Nephthys is depicted as a woman wearing the
hieroglyph for “Castle” on her head.
Nesbenebded See SMENDES(1).
Neser (Neres) He was an ancient Egyptian fish deity
whose cult dates to Predynastic Periods in Egypt, before
the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt, c. 3000 B.C.E.
The god’s rituals were popular in the Early Dynastic
Period (2920–2575 B.C.E.) but then disappeared.Neshi(fl. 16th century B.C.E.) Multitalented official of
the Seventeenth Dynasty
Neshi served KAMOSE(r. 1555–1550 B.C.E.) in a remark-
able number of capacities. He was the treasurer of the
court, the overseer of royal companions, and the overseer
of ships, as well as the commander of the Egyptian fleet
used by Kamose against the HYKSOSat AVARIS.
Neshi is recorded as being “the Vibrant One” on the
KARNAKStela that gives an account of Kamose’s cam-
paigns. He possibly served ’AHMOSE(r. 1550–1525 B.C.E.),
the brother of Kamose and the founder of the Eighteenth
Dynasty, or he was honored by the new pharaoh in retire-
ment. Neshi received a plot of land in MEMPHIS from
’Ahmose. This land grant ended up as an element of a
lawsuit by Neshi’s descendant in the reign of RAMESSES II
(1290–1224 B.C.E.).Nesitanebetashru (1)(fl. ninth century B.C.E.) Royal
woman of the Libyan Twenty-second Dynasty
The consort of SHOSHENQ II(r. 883 B.C.E.), she was the
mother of HARSIESE, the ill-fated prince of that royal line.
Nesitanebetashru was a Libyan noble woman.Nesitanebetashru (2)(fl. 11th century B.C.E.) Royal
woman of the Theban branch of the Twenty-first Dynasty
She was the daughter of PINUDJEM(2), the high priest of
Amun, in the reign of PSUSENNES I(1040–992 B.C.E.) and
his successors. She married Djeptahiufankh, another
Amunite priest, and remained in Thebes. Nesitanebe-
tashru’s mummy was discovered in the DEIR EL-BAHRI
cache in 1881. Her remains are one of the finest mum-
mies to survive over the centuries. Her body is lifelike,
complete with artificial eyes made of stone and black
pupils.
See also MORTUARY RITUALS.Neskhonsu(fl. 11th century B.C.E.) Royal woman and
God’s Wife of Amun of the Twenty-first Dynasty
She is recorded as being the wife of PINUDJEM(2), the
high priest of AMUNat THEBESin the reign of PSUSENNES I
(1040–992 B.C.E.) and his successors. Neskhonsu was
installed as the GOD’S WIFE OF AMUNor the Divine Adora-
trice of Amun, at Thebes. She was the niece of Pinudjem.
A royal-style sarcophagus from her tomb provides an
elaborate lists of her titles and privileges.
Neskhonsu was buried in the cliffs at DEIR EL-BAHRI
on the western shore of Thebes. Her blue faience cup was
also discovered there. Her SARCOPHAGUSwas apparently
usurped in a later historical period. She was beautifully
depicted in her mortuary regalia as an aristocratic, ele-
gant woman with long dark hair.Neskhonsu 275