| Djefaihapi | |
|---|---|
| Nomarch of the 13th nomos of Upper Egypt | |
 Statue of Djefaihapi's wife Sennuwy (Boston, MFA 14.720) | |
| Pharaoh | Senusret I |
| Father | Idi-aat |
| Wife | Sennuwy |
| Burial | Asyut (tomb no. 1) |
Djefaihapi was an ancient Egyptian official during the reign of pharaoh Senusret I of the 12th Dynasty. In literature, his name is found written in many other variants such as Hepzefa, Hapidjefa, Hapdjefai, and Djefaihap.
Djefaihapi was a nomarch of the 13th nomos of Upper Egypt, headquartered in Asyut, as well as a High Priest. He was the son of a man named Idi-aat, and his wife was lady Sennuwy. Djefaihapi is mainly known for his large rock-cut tomb at Asyut (no. 1) – which was a gift from king Senusret I himself – and its decorations. [1] He was the first of a series of namesake nomarchs during the 12th Dynasty, and it is possible that the previous, apparently unrelated family of nomarchs at Asyut was replaced by Djefaihapi's one under Amenemhat I or Senusret I. It is known from his tomb that he ordered the rebuilding of the local temple of Wepwawet. [2]
A preserved text from the tomb reports that the nomarch instructed a dedicated priest to perpetuate his funerary cult, rewarding him with land and goods. Djefaihapi was particularly careful in distinguishing between his personal properties and that derived from his administrative and priestly offices, [3] [4] [5] and emphasized the fact that he used only the former ones to pay the priestly service. [6]
In 1913, a Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts expedition discovered at Kerma in Nubia, a large burial mound with a tomb under it, surrounded by several smaller tombs ("Pan-graves"). Within the main tomb two large granodiorite statues of Djefaihapi and his wife Sennuwy were discovered. Evidence shown that the occupants of the satellite tombs were sacrificed altogether likely at the time of their lord's death, in a ritual long lost in Egypt but evidently still performed in Nubia. Initial claims that the owner of the main tomb was Djefaihapi have been largely superseded and is now generally believed that its owner was rather a Nubian tribal chief, and that the two statues were brought here at a later date, perhaps during the Second Intermediate Period. Djefaihapi's statue is shattered but Sennuwy's is well preserved, and both are exhibited nowadays in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts (MFA 14.724 and MFA 14.720). [1] [7] [8] [9]
Fragments of a statue of Djafaihapi was found at Tell Hizzin. [10]
Recent excavations brought to light his daughter, Edi. [11]
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Amenemhat III, also known as Amenemhet III, was a pharaoh of ancient Egypt and the sixth king of the Twelfth Dynasty of the Middle Kingdom. He was elevated to throne as co-regent by his father Senusret III, with whom he shared the throne as the active king for twenty years. During his reign, Egypt attained its cultural and economic zenith of the Middle Kingdom.
The Middle Kingdom of Egypt is the period in the history of ancient Egypt following a period of political division known as the First Intermediate Period. The Middle Kingdom lasted from approximately 2040 to 1782 BC, stretching from the reunification of Egypt under the reign of Mentuhotep II in the Eleventh Dynasty to the end of the Twelfth Dynasty. The kings of the Eleventh Dynasty ruled from Thebes and the kings of the Twelfth Dynasty ruled from el-Lisht.
The Twelfth Dynasty of ancient Egypt is a series of rulers reigning from 1991–1802 BC, at what is often considered to be the apex of the Middle Kingdom. The dynasty periodically expanded its territory from the Nile delta and valley South beyond the second cataract and East into Canaan.
Mentuhotep II, also known under his prenomen Nebhepetre, was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, the sixth ruler of the Eleventh Dynasty. He is credited with reuniting Egypt, thus ending the turbulent First Intermediate Period and becoming the first pharaoh of the Middle Kingdom. He reigned for 51 years, according to the Turin King List. Mentuhotep II succeeded his father Intef III on the throne and was in turn succeeded by his son Mentuhotep III.
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Wahankh Intef II was the third ruler of the Eleventh Dynasty of Egypt during the First Intermediate Period. He reigned for almost fifty years from 2112 BC to 2063 BC. His capital was located at Thebes. In his time, Egypt was split between several local dynasties. He was buried in a saff tomb at El-Tarif.
Amenemhat I, also known as Amenemhet I, was a pharaoh of ancient Egypt and the first king of the Twelfth Dynasty of the Middle Kingdom.
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Senusret II or Sesostris II was the fourth pharaoh of the Twelfth Dynasty of Egypt. He ruled from 1897 BC to 1878 BC. His pyramid was constructed at El-Lahun. Senusret II took a great deal of interest in the Faiyum oasis region and began work on an extensive irrigation system from Bahr Yussef through to Lake Moeris through the construction of a dike at El-Lahun and the addition of a network of drainage canals. The purpose of his project was to increase the amount of cultivable land in that area. The importance of this project is emphasized by Senusret II's decision to move the royal necropolis from Dahshur to El-Lahun where he built his pyramid. This location would remain the political capital for the 12th and 13th Dynasties of Egypt. Senusret II was known by his prenomen Khakheperre, which means "The Ka of Re comes into being". The king also established the first known workers' quarter in the nearby town of Senusrethotep (Kahun).
Khakaure Senusret III was a pharaoh of Egypt. He ruled from 1878 BC to 1839 BC during a time of great power and prosperity, and was the fifth king of the Twelfth Dynasty of the Middle Kingdom. He was a great pharaoh of the Twelfth Dynasty and is considered to rule at the height of the Middle Kingdom. Consequently, he is regarded as one of the sources for the legend about Sesostris. His military campaigns gave rise to an era of peace and economic prosperity that reduced the power of regional rulers and led to a revival in craftwork, trade, and urban development. Senusret III was among the few Egyptian kings who were deified and honored with a cult during their own lifetime.
Beni Hasan is an ancient Egyptian cemetery. It is located approximately 20 kilometers (12 mi) to the south of modern-day Minya in the region known as Middle Egypt, the area between Asyut and Memphis.
Ta-Seti was the first nome of Upper Egypt, one of 42 nomoi in Ancient Egypt. Ta-Seti marked the border area towards Nubia, and the name was also used to refer to Nubia itself.
Khnumhotep II was an ancient Egyptian Great Chief of the Oryx nome during the reign of pharaohs Amenemhat II and Senusret II of the 12th Dynasty, Middle Kingdom. He is well known for his tomb at Beni Hasan and its decorations.
The Oryx nome was one of the 42 nomoi in ancient Egypt. The Oryx nome was the 16th nome of Upper Egypt, and was named after the scimitar oryx. It was located, approximately, in the territories surrounding the modern city of Minya in Middle Egypt.
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