throughout Egypt’s history. A temple at the WADI MI’AH
celebrated his concerns and care also.
See also EGYPTIAN NATURAL RESOURCES.
Bastet A goddess of ancient Egypt, whose THEOPHANY
was the cat, Bastet’s cult center was at BUBASTIS. She was
the protector of pregnant women and was a pleasure lov-
ing goddess who served as the patroness of music and
dance. Bastet was also believed to protect men from dis-
eases and demons. The goddess was considered the per-
sonification of the warming rays of the sun on the Nile.
She was normally depicted as a woman with a cat’s head,
holding a SISTRUMand the symbol of life, the ANKH.
The goddess remained popular throughout Egypt
even to Roman times. Her festivals at Bubastis were
among the most well-attended celebrations in Egypt. Peo-
ple set out in festooned barges, and music accompanied
all who made the pilgrimage to her shrine. The festival
was a time of pranks as well as another designated period
of intoxication. A gigantic parade culminated the celebra-
tion, and on that day few Egyptians were sober. Shrines
of the gods were erected in Rome, Ostia, Nemi, and Pom-
peii.
See also BUBASTEION.
Bata (1) (Bet, Batu) Atruly ancient deity of Egypt,
whose cult dates to the first dynasties (2920–2575 B.C.E.),
hewas portrayed as a bull or a ram.
Bata (2) A character in the ancient Egyptian work TALE
OF TWO BROTHERS,preserved in the Papyrus ORBINEYin
the British Museum, the character is believed to represent
BATA(1),or Batu, the deity, who quarrels with Anup (a
possible representation of the god ANUBIS). Anup’s wife,
repulsed by Bata when she tries to seduce him, accuses
him of assault. Anup learns the truth and slays her, while
Bata goes on many adventures. In the end, he sires the
first pharaoh of Egypt, ’AHA(Menes; r. 2920 B.C.E.). The
tale, much loved in Egypt, was in the library of SETI II(r.
1214–1204 B.C.E.) of the Nineteenth Dynasty.
See also LITERATURE.
Batn el-Hagar Called “the Belly of Stone” by the local
inhabitants, a site near the second cataract, Batn el-Hagar
is a desolate region extending more than 100 miles, filled
with white-water rapids, eddies, and hidden rocks sur-
rounded by harsh wastelands. Such stark landscapes were
part of the natural defenses of ancient Egypt throughout
its history. The kings normally fortified areas such as Batn
el-Hagar, using them to control the movements of the
Nubians, modern Sudanese, in the region.
Battle of the Nile This was a naval and land engage-
ment that took place in 47 B.C.E. between Julius CAESAR
and PTOLEMY XIII (r. 51–47 B.C.E.) on the Nile near
ALEXANDRIA. Caesar, who had been under attack in the
palace of CLEOPATRA VII (r. 51–30 B.C.E.) after ousting
Ptolemy XIII from the throne, faced an Egyptian army
opposed to his decision. The Roman leader, however, had
summoned an ally, Mithridates of Pergamum, who had
arrived with a large military force.
Ptolemy XIII tried to halt Mithridates but saw his
units swept aside. He then waited for Caesar to join his
ally but was taken by surprise when the Romans sailed
around his encamped forces to link up with Mithridates.
The Egyptians were routed, and in the effort to retreat,
Ptolemy XIII drowned in the Nile. Cleopatra VII became
the sole ruler of Egypt.Bauerdat (Bauerded)(fl. 24th centuryB.C.E.) Official
of the Fifth Dynasty
Bauerdat served IZEZI(Djedkaré; r. 2388–2356 B.C.E.) as a
leader of expeditions to the regions below the CATARACTS
of the Nile. Bauerdat and his companions journeyed as
far south as NUBIA, modern Sudan, in the service of the
pharaoh. He is supposed to have returned to court with a
DWARF, probably of the Deneg variety. Dwarfs were highly
prized in the Egyptian royal households in every period.
Bauerdat recorded his honors and service on a mortuary
stela.
See also HARKHUF;PEPI II.Baufré(fl. 26th century B.C.E.) Prince of the Fourth
Dynasty
He was a son of KHUFU(Cheops; r. 2551–2528 B.C.E.)
who is listed in older studies on Egypt as the successor of
KHAFRE (Chephren). Baufré was the brother of
DJEDEFHOR, a renowned sage. His role in dynastic affairs,
however, remains obscure, and there is no evidence that
he assumed the throne at any time. Baufré was mentioned
in the WESTCAR PAPYRUSand was depicted at WADI HAM-
MAMAT. His name meant “Ré is his soul.” He has also
been identified as Nebka. His unfinished pyramid was
found in ZAWIET EL-ARYA N.Bay (Irsu)(fl. 12th centuryB.C.E.)Official of the Nine-
teenth Dynasty
Bay served both SIPTAHand Queen-Pharaoh TWOSRET(r.
1204–1196 B.C.E.). He was supposedly of Syrian descent,
a fact that irritated many Egyptian aristocrats of his era. A
confidant of Twosret, he began his usurpation of power
while she was regent for the young Siptah.
When Twosret served as queen-pharaoh in her own
right, Bay was her chancellor. He is listed in Siptah’s mor-
tuary texts. The official was much disliked by his con-
temporaries, however, and he has been recorded as a
usurper and interloper during the days of failing
pharaonic power. His mortuary graffiti lists him as the
one “who establishes the king upon the seat of his66 Bastet