Ushanahuru 421(1878–1841 B.C.E.) erected a FORTRESSto control traffic
on the river. Uronarti fortress, large, fortified, and gar-
risoned, was built on an island south of the strategic
stronghold of SEMNA. Triangular in design, Uronarti also
served AMENHOTEP I (r. 1525–1504 B.C.E.) during the
New Kingdom Period conquest of Nubia.
Userhet (1)(fl. 15th century B.C.E.) Official of the Eigh-
teenth Dynasty
He served AMENHOTEP II(r. 1427–1401 B.C.E.) as a royal
SCRIBE. Userhet also carried the rank of a “Child of the
Nursery,” belonging to the “KAP.” The Kap was a term
used to indicate that Userhet was raised and educated
with the royal children in the palace. Userhet’s tomb at
KHOKHAon the western shore of the Nile at Thebes has
scenes of everyday life. A STELAand a statue of Userhet
were found in the tomb.
Userhet (2)(fl. 14th century B.C.E.) Official of the Eigh-
teenth Dynasty
Userhet served AMENHOTEP III(r. 1391–1353 B.C.E.) as a
royal scribe and as a tutor for AKHENATEN, the heir to the
throne. He was buried on the western shore of Thebes, in
a small cruciform tomb that carried descriptions of his
honors and years of dedicated service to the throne.
Userhet (3)(fl. 13th century B.C.E.) Temple official of
the Nineteenth Dynasty
Userhet served as a high priest of the cult of TUTHMOSIS I
during the reign of RAMESSES II(1290–1224 B.C.E.). The
cult of Tuthmosis I remained popular following his death
in 1492 B.C.E. Userhet was one of the many priests who
maintained the MORTUARY RITUALSand schedules of offer-
ings in the resting place of this great military pharaoh.
The tomb of Userhet at KHOKHA, on the western shore
of Thebes, contains scenes of the endless tributes paid
daily to the memory of Tuthmosis I. Other scenes depict
Userhet and his family in their own mortuary ceremonies
and in eternal paradises in the TUAT, or Underworld.
Userhet-amun This was the name of the Egyptian
bark presented to KARNAKby ’AHMOSE(r. 1550–1525
B.C.E.) to celebrate Egypt’s expulsion of the HYKSOSand
their allies, and the unification of the Two Kingdoms.
The bark was called “Mighty of Brow Is AMUN.” Such
barks of the gods of Egypt were sometimes large enough
to be used as true vessels on water. Others were
designed to be carried in street processions as miniature
representations. The bark presented to Karnak by
’Ahmose started the custom among the pharaohs of
commemorating events or favors with such demonstra-
tions of piety and fervor.
Userkaré (fl. 24th century B.C.E.) Obscure ruler of the
Sixth Dynasty
He was the successor to TETI (r. 2323–2291 B.C.E.).
Userkaré’s name was translated as “the kaof Ré is Power-
ful.” He was listed in the TURIN CANONand at ABYDOS.
Possibly a usurper, he ruled only three years. It is conceiv-
able that he was a nominal ruler, overseeing Queen Iput’s
regency for the true heir, PEPI I. He started a tomb in an
area south of ASSIUT, and this construction is documented.
His name was also discovered at QAW EL-KEBIR.Userkhaf(d. 2458 B.C.E.) Founder of the Fifth Dynasty
He reigned from 2465 B.C.E. until his death. Userkhaf was
probably the son of Princess NEFERHETEPES(1), the daugh-
ter of RA’DJEDEF(r. 2528–2520 B.C.E.) and possibly HET-
EPHERES(2). The WESTCAR PAPYRUSforetold his coming,
associating him with the legends of Princess KHENTAKAWES.
His father may have been Sa’khebu, a priest of RÉ. He
reigned a comparatively short time but he was a vigorous
monarch, stressing the traditions of ma’at. His throne
name, Iry-ma’at, meant “He who puts MA’ATinto practice.”
Userkhaf is listed in the TURIN CANONand at ABYDOS.
Userkhaf enlarged a temple of MONTUat Tod, south
of Thebes. He also started trade with the city-state in the
Aegean. He married Khentakawes, a daughter of MEN-
KAURÉ, and she was reportedly the mother of SAHURÉ,
Userkhaf’s heir.
His MORTUARY TEMPLEwas erected in the northeast
corner of the STEP PYRAMIDin SAQQARAand was called
“Pure are the places of Userkhaf.” Built of limestone and
faced with Tureh stone, the tomb pyramid had a MORTU-
ARY TEMPLEon the southern side. Temple reliefs depict
birds, and a pink granite head of Userkhaf was uncovered
in the courtyard. The site was surrounded by a wall and
had a paved causeway and a portico with red granite
columns. A queen’s pyramid and a subsidiary pyramid
were erected on the western side of the mortuary temple.
Userkhaf also built a solar temple at ABU GHUROB,
made of mud brick and faced with limestone. A wall
encloses this monument, and an obelisk with a BENBEN
was fashioned on a podium as part of the design. The
shrine contained a sun altar and a causeway to the VALLEY
TEMPLE. Another head of Userkhaf, made of schist, was
discovered here. In the southern section, a bark of RÉwas
fashioned out of bricks.ushabtis See SHABTIS.Ushanahuru(fl. seventh century B.C.E.) Prince of the
Twenty-fifth Dynasty
He was the son of TAHARQA (r. 690–664 B.C.E.) and
Queen AMUN-DYEK’HET and was at MEMPHIS with the
queen when the ASSYRIANS, led by ESSARHADDON, entered
the capital. Taharqa fled south to NUBIA, abandoning his
queen and heir. Both Amun-dyek’het and Ushanahuru
were taken to NINEVEHand made slaves. They were never
seen again in Egypt.