Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt

Augustus made Egypt an imperial estate of Rome and
set out to rule the largest empire in that historical period.
He brought peace and prosperity to Rome and main-
tained the provinces securely. The Altar of Peace, erected
in 13 B.C.E. in Rome’s Campus Martius, and the Monu-
ment Ancyranum, erected in Ankara (modern Turkey),
provide evidence of his robust vision and his careful
rebuilding and administration of the empire. Octavian, as
Augustus, died in Rome in 14 C.E.
Augustus’s annexation of Egypt was a necessary
move, and he handled the Roman occupation of the Nile
Valley with tact and with an awareness of the land’s his-
tory and potential prosperity. Giving Egypt the status of
an imperial estate, a personal possession of the reigning
emperor, he applied a prefect to govern in his name. This
prefecture was open only to members of the Equestrian
Knighthood. He also decreed that no Roman of the Sena-
torial or Equestrian classes could enter Egypt without the
emperor’s personal permission. The Egyptians reconciled
themselves to the political changes and turned inward
again, forming stable NOMESand leaders that endured the
Roman presence, the taxes, and the obligations.

Auibre (fl. 26th century B.C.E.) Prince of the Fourth
Dynasty
He was the son of Prince DJEDEFHOR(c. 2530 B.C.E.). The
Instructions of Djedefhorwas addressed to him. Auibre was
the grandson of KHUFU(Cheops). Prince Auibre was coun-
seled to marry and to raise up “stout sons” for Egypt.

Ausim (Hem, Letopolis) A site north of modern
Cairo in Egypt’s Delta territory, called Hem by the Egyp-
tians and Letopolis by the Greeks. The site was a cult
center for the falcon deity, HORUS, in the forms of Khenty-

Khem or Khenty-Irty. Monuments honoring Horus were

erected at Ausim by NECHO II(r. 610–596 B.C.E.), PSAM-

METICHUS II (r. 595–589 B.C.E.), HAKORIS (r. 393–380

B.C.E.), and NECTANEBO I(r. 380–362 B.C.E.).

aut This was the ancient Egyptian name for the funerary

offerings for the deceased, when such offerings could be

afforded by the family, or contracted before death. The

priesthood maintained special groups of trained officials

who offered goods to the deceased as part of MORTUARY

RITUALS.

auta The ancient Egyptian name for the cobra, the god-

dess WADJET, in a striking position with a full hood dis-

played, this symbol was represented on the crowns of the

The crowns of Egypt’s kings

Avaris (Hut-Waret) A site located in the eastern

Delta, northeast of BUBASTIS, in the region of Khatana and

Qantir, the site of the PER-RAMESSES, the residence of the

Nineteenth Dynasty (1307–1196 B.C.E.) rulers. Avaris

dates to ancient times and was considered a shrine city of

the god OSIRIS; a piece of the god’s body was supposed to

be buried there as a holy relic. The city was called Hut-

Waret by the Egyptians. Avaris became the capital of the

HYKSOS, the Asiatics, who dominated northern territories

during the Second Intermediate Period (1640–1532

B.C.E.) and was probably founded c. 1720–1700 B.C.E.

They used distinctly Canaanite architecture and displayed

alien cultural symbols.

The Hyksos provided the city with walls, causeways,

and various defenses to protect the inhabitants against

sieges and missile attacks. KAMOSEtried to reach Avaris

with his southern army in c. 1500 B.C.E. in order to expel

the Hyksos, but the task fell to his brother, ’AHMOSE(r.

1550–1525 B.C.E.), founder of the Eighteenth Dynasty. He

used both land and sea forces to assault the capital. Avaris

endured the siege, and the withdrawal of the Hyksos

appears to have been the result of negotiations, although

the Egyptian army pursued them even beyond the border.

The surrender of Avaris in 1532 B.C.E. ended the Hyksos

domination and the division of Egypt.

In the Ramessid Period the site would become a

spectacular metropolis again. Avaris appears to have been

The deities of the Elephantine and the first cataract of the Nile

his successors transformed the city into a vast complex of

temples, palaces, shrines, and military encampments.

awet The ancient CROOKand FLAIL, the royal symbol of

the pharaohs, adopted from the god OSIRIS and the

ancient shepherd deity ANDJETI. The crook denoted the

pharaoh’s role as the guardian of the people of the Nile.

The crook and the flail were used in all royal ceremonies

and were part of the mortuary regalia of all rulers.

60 Auibre

A silver denarius struck in honor of Octavian (Augustus)

(Augustus) and his conquest of Egypt in 30 B.C.E.(Courtesy

Historical Coins, Inc.)