Any word with no definition under it is a word which I don't know. It may be a god, goddess or an item. If you know please email me with the definition!

 

A

A'ah
the ancient Egyptian name for the moon, representing hte god Thoth

A'a-Nefer
the name for the sacred bull at Erment (Hermonthis), which was originaly dedicated to the god Mont. In time this animal played a part in the cult celebrations of other deities

ab
the name given to the human heart in religious documents.

Abbott Papyrus
a Ramessid document dating to the 20th century (1160 bc). In it is an account of the investigation of serious grave robberies during that era. High-ranking officials were involved in the investigation, which was dramatic and prolonged, and a trial ensued.

Abgig
region of the Faiyum near Hawara where ruling families of the local inhabitants maintained estates and influence.
 

Abtu (Greek: Abydos)
Also called Busiris, it was the seat of worship of god Osiris. It means "the house of Osiris". According to Egyptian tradition, this is where the sun entered the underworld, after his daily journey. The gap in the mountain where he entered was called "peq." This tradition was changed a little when, in the 12th dynasty, the souls of the dead were said to enter into the afterlife here.

Abu
ancient Egyptian name for Elephantine Island at Aswan

Abu Ghurob
a site at the edge of the desert near Giza where Izi (Neuserre') built his sun temple. (2400 bc)

Abu Simbel
south of Aswan near the Secound Cataract of the Nile, of the temple of Ramessess II of the 19th Dynasty. Shrine was dedicated to the gods AMon and Re'-Horakthy, and to the memory of Ramesses himself. A secound rock-hewn temple on the site was erected in honor of hte goddess Hathor. Colossal statues at this shrine include one of Queen Nefertari. Because the flood level of the Nile was altered by the construction of the Aswan High Dam, the temples of AbuSimble were removed from the original site and rebuilt on higher level in 1968.

Abydos
a city north of Dendera, capital of the Eight Nome called the Thinite nome. Was considered the greatest of all cemeteries and the home of the god Osiris. Of all the royal monuments at Abydos, that of Seti I of the 19th dynasty is the largest. There is also a mortuary complex of Queen Tetisheri, grandmother of Ahmose. Ahmose was the founder of the 18th dynasty. Abydos was a large city due to the fact that it was the seat of the Osiris cult.
 

Achoris
site located just south of the Faiyum, named Tinha in modern times. It was used a sa mecropolis by the powerful Nomarchs of the 5th Dynasty.

afnet
a head covering shown on the goddesses Isis and Selket and on one statue of Tutankhamun. It resembled the Nemes, the royal headdress, but was not stripped and lacked the frong palnels.

Aigyptos
the Greek word for Egypt.

Aker
ancient Egyptian god in the form of a lion. It guarded the passage of the god Ra on his solar bark. Aker, guarded both the beginning and the end of the day.

akh
The form in which the deceased exists in the afterlife; unchangeable and immortal. The only way to "kill" the akh was to forget his/her name in the living world.

Akhet
Season of inundation in the ancient calender. The rising of Sirius, the dog star, signaled the beginning of the annual flooding of the Nile. Was also the name of the horizon where the sun emerged and set. It embodied the idea of both sunrise and sunset. During the New Kingdom, Harmakhet was given the distinction of being the god of the rising and setting of the sun. Similar to the mountain symbols with a solar disk in the center (the two peaks of the Djew).

Amarna
The name given to the historical time period under the rule of Akhenaten/Amenophis IV. This was the time period when Akhenaten changed the Egyptian religion to only one god, the Aten, the location of Egypt's capital and the art and culture of Egypt in general.

Amenta
"The Underworld." Originally the place where the sun set, this name was later applied to the West Bank of the Nile where the Egyptians built their tombs.

ames
ancient Egyptian name for the scepter in the form of a club or mace that was used as a royal insignia in most eras. Dates back to the early period of Egypt when wariors from the south invaded the Delta and subdued the Bee King's armies and unified the nation.

Amon's Bark
a vessel called Userhetamon, or the "Mighty of Brow Is Amon," a floating temple for the god AMon at Thebes. The bark was supposedly a gift of 'Ahmose I in thanks for sucessful military campaigns. On the Feast of Opet the Bark of Amon was moved with great ceremony from Karnak to Luxor and back. It was covered in gold from teh waterline up and was filled with cabins, obelisks, niches and elaborate adornments.

Amon's Wives
a titled assumed by high-ranking royal women who took part in religious ceremonies of the god at Karnak and Luxor during the New Kingdom. Queens Ahhotep and 'Ahmose-Nefretiri, in the reign of 'Ahmose I were the first such women to assume the role, serving as patronesses for festivals and cultic rites.
    When the priests of Amon usurped the throne in the 21st dynasty (1070 bc) the role of the Wife of Amon was altered. A princess of the royal house was consecrated as the god's spouse, served by virgins in the Harem of Amon. There is evidence that the "Black Pharoahs" (Pharaoh's from Nubia) royal women were also Amon's Wives.

Amulet
Charms worn like jewelry during life, and were included within the mummy wrappings for the afterlife. They were often in the form of gods' sacred animals or hieroglyphs. They were made of precious stones or faience.

Ankh
A symbol of life, resembling a looped cross. It was later adapted by Coptic Christians as their cross. Widely used as an amulet.

Ankh-tawy
ancient name for the city of Memphis. Means "Life of the Two Lands." In the 6th Dynasty, Pharaoh Pepi I changed it to Memphis.

Anqet
Water and Lust

Anthropoid
A Greek word meaning "man-shaped." The term was used for coffins made in the shape of a human.

"appearing"
ancient Egyptian term for the dawning of a god or the coronation and/or anniversary of a king.

Aquertf
A name for the land of the dead.

Assiut (Lykopolis or Lyconpolis)
was the center of the 13th Nome of Upper Egypt, located south of Hermopolis on the eastern side of the Nile. It was dedicated to the god Wepwawet, the wolf deity. The city was the center of the caravan route from the Khargah Oasis and the lands below the First Cataract.

Aswan
named Sunnu by the Egyptians and Syene by the Greeks. Located at the First Cataract of the Nile. Area was famous for its red granite. Was also provincial administrative headquarters for the territories below the cataract and the viceroys of Nubia were stationed on the Elephantine Island there. Settlement on the island predates that at Aswan. The district honored the ram god Khnum and his consorts, Satet and Anuket. The god Hapi was also supposed to have lived in a cave in the area.

aut
name for funerary offerings to the deceased.

auta
name for the cbra in striking position represented on the crowns of the kings

Avaris (Greek for Hut-waret)
city located in the eastern Delta, northeast of Bubastis, the site of Per-Ramesses, the residence of the 19th dynasty rulers. Avaris was constructed/adapted by the Hyksos, who added walls, causeways and various devices to protect the inhabitants against sieges and missile attacks. Kamose of the 17th dynasty tried to reach Avaris with his sothern army but the task fell to his brother, 'Ahmose I of the 18th Dynasty.

awet
name for the crook, the royal symbol of the kings adopted fromt eh god Osiris and the ancient sheperd diety Andjeti. The crook denoted the pharoh's role as the guardian of the people of hte Nile.

Ax of Ahhotep
a New Kingdom military emblem that was discovered in the tomb of Queen Ahhotep, the mother of 'Ahmose I. Made of gold, the ax signified the emblem of honor in military events.
 
 

B
Ba
One's personality. It is associated with divinity and power and similar to the ka. The ba left the body at the moment of death. It had the ability to take on different forms, as such the gods had many bas. The ba of the deceased is able to move freely between the underworld and the earth.

ba house
small house like container, fashioned out of pottery in most eras and placed in the tombs of commoners who could not afford the elaborate offering chapels of the larger tombs.

Ba'eb Djet
ancient Egyptian name for the sacred ram of Mendes. Depicted with elaborate horns surmounted by the uraeus, the animal was carefully sought and tested for signs of its fitness to serve as the manifestation of Ra, Osiris and Ptah.

Baharia Oasis
located in the Libyan Desert, soutwest of Heracleopolis, it was considered one of the most important of the Oases. Kamose of the 17th dynasty rested at this oasis with his troops.

Bahr Libeini
a waterway through Memphis dating to the Early Dynastic Period. Legend stated that Aha altered the course of the Nile in order to reclaim teh region of MEmphis as the site of Egypt's capital.

Bahr Yusef
a natural canal connecting the Nile to the Faiyum between Hermopolis and Meir.

Bakhu
The mythical mountain from which the sun rose and the region of the eastern horizon. With Manu, it held up the sky. They, Manu and Bakhu, were guarded by Aker.

Barque
A boat in which the gods sailed. The barque of Ra carried a host of deities across the sky each day.

Barque Shrine
Model barques were kept in these shrines in temples. These model barques were used to carry deities out of the temples in festival processions.

Batn el-Hagar
called the "Belly of Stones" by the local inhabitants, a site near the Secound Cataract. The "Belly of Stones" is a desolate region extending for more then 100 miles, filled with white water rapids and surrounded by harsh wastelands.

bay
an instrument used by the anicent Egyptians for surveying Nile sites and for architectural planning.

Bedwi (Bedway)
an term for the Bedouin or Asiatic, nomad tribes of the souther Sinai on Egypt's eastern border. The Bedwi tried to hold their ground against the many expeditions sent out in the early eras of the nation.

beer
called heneket, a popular drink.

benben
ancient insignia kept in the shrine of the god Ra at Heilopolis and incorporated the pyramid symbol with the rays of hte sun. This sign evoked the concept of resurrection. Ra was associated with the benben in his cultic rites.

Bennu
phoenix-like bird of legends, sheltered in the Persea Tree at Heliopolis.

Bentresh Stela
dating to 300bc, relating a stroy concerning the reign of Ramessess II at Thebes. THe story detailes the arrival of the Princess of Bekhtan (land of the Hittites). She was given to Ramesses as a wife and her name is listed as Bentresh, although she was probably Ma'at Hornefrure. When she arrived, she is found to be possessed by a demon, but is so lovely the king makes an effort to free her fo the evil spell. Finaly, when all else fails, an image of the god Khons is brought into her presense and the demon flees. The story appears to have been a commeorative fancy conerning the marriage of Ramesses II to a Hittite princess during his reign.

Biban el Harim
aka Biban el Sultanat, modern name for Valley of the Queens

Birth House
Small temples which were attached to the main temples of the Late and Greco-Roman Periods. These temples are where the god of the main temple was born, except if the main temple was dedicated to a goddess, then it was where she bore her children.

Bitter Lakes
a region streching from the Nile to the Wadi Tumilat in the Egyptian Delta.

board games
recreation popular in all historical periods of Egypt. The people delighted in  a variety of table games. Faience and ivory inlaid boxes of the game senet have been discovered in tombs. Senet and the game called Tjau were possibly of Asiatic origin. Robbers, another game, was played with two sets of five or more pieces. Serpent was another popular games, played on a circular board with small balls inscribed with the names of early Egyptian kings. Jackals and Hounds, one of the most popular, used wands to determine moves.

Book of the Dead
A collection of magic spells and formulas that began to appear in Egyptian tombs around 1600 BC. It was intended to be spoken by the deceased during their journey into the Underworld and thus enabled the deceased to overcome obstacles in the afterlife. This was done by teaching passwords that allowed the deceased to turn into mythical creatures and navigate around hazards, while simultaneously granting the help and protection of the gods, and proclaiming the deceased's identity with the gods. The texts were a continuation of the Pyramid and Coffin Texts. There are about 200 known spells, which can vary from copy to copy.

Burullus
one of the four great salt lakes in the Delta

Busiris
a central Delta town originaly dalled Djedu, the Per-Usire, House of Osiris. Busiris was originaly dedicated to the local vegetation god, Andjeti. The god Sobek and Osiris were honored in that town. It never became politicaly powerful, burt remained an important shrine center for Osiris

byssus
the name given to the fine linen products developed in certain regions.
 

C
Canal of Sehel
a passage that dates to the 6th dynasty (2300 bc) dug alongside the first Cataract of the Nile at the island of Sehel in order to allow the Egyptians easy access to the territories below.

Canopic Jars
The four jars used to store the preserved internal organs of the deceased. Each jar is representative of one of the four sons of Horus. The word comes from the Greek word Canopus who was a demigod venerated in the form of a human headed jar.

cartonnage
Papyrus or linen soaked in plaster and shaped around a body. Used for mummy masks and coffins.

cartouche
A elongated oval with a horizontal bar at the bottom. Generally a king or a god's name was written within. It is believed to act as a protector of the king's name, seeing that it is never forgotten. The sign represents a loop of rope that is never ending.

cataracts
the white water regions of the Nile River. Six total, they extended from Aswan to just above Khartoum. First Cataract, at Aswan ,served as the natural barrier along the southern border of Egypt

Cenotaph
From the Greek word meaning "empty tomb." This was a tomb built for ceremonial purposes and never intended to be used.

Chemmis
the sacred floating island in the western Delta near Buto that figures in the lovely legend concerning the goddess Isis and her infant son Horus. This is where Isis retired to give birth to the child.

Cippus of Horus
a form of Stela popular in the late and Ptolemaic periods, featuring Harpokrates (Horus as a child) standing on a crocodile and holding scorpions and other dangerous creatures. Magical texts accompanied the image to provide protection against the beings  displayed. Water was poured over the Cippus and by drinking the water, a person was thought to be rendered invulnerable.

circumcision
the surgical removal of all or part of the male prepuce, practiced by the Egyptians as part of their traditional methods of hygiene. Male circumcision was not performed at birth but during adolescence.

Coffin Texts
Texts written inside coffins of the Middle Kingdom which were intended to direct the souls of the dead past the dangers and perils on the journey through the afterlife. Over 1,000 spells are known.

Colossus
A more then life-size statue, normally of kings but were could also be of gods and private individuals. These statues usually flanked the gates or pylons of temples. Believed to act as intermediaries between men and the gods.

corvee
the king, as the living god of hte land, had the right to aks his people to assume staggering burdens of labor. This prerogative of the Egyptian kings has been viewed as both a form of slavery and as aunique method of civic responsibility. The corvee was nto slavery, although slavery was introduced in the Middle Kingdom.

cosmetics
the women of Egypt followed certain styles and trends in their toilette. From earliest times, they employed materials to brighten or color their faces. They were particularly concered with mascara, which was used to recreate the sacred Eye of Ra symbol on their own eyes, a religious and fashion statement.

cult centers:
the Egyptian had sites wehre gods were honored with special rites or ceremonies and where temples were erected totheir devotion. Each town had its own particular deity, but these were centers of the major gods:
 

Center	Gods
Abydos	Osiris
Assiut	Wepwawet
Bubastis	Bastet
Coptos	Min
Crocodopolis	Sobek
Dendera	Hathor
Edfu	Horus
Elephantine	Khnum
El Kab	Nekhebet
Heliopolis	Ra
Heracleopolis	Harsaphes
Hermopolis	Thoth and the Ogdoad
Hierakonpolis	Horus
Leontopolis	Lions (Akeru)
Letopolis	Horus
Memphis	Ptah
Ombos	Set
Sais	Neith
Tanis	Set
Thebes	Amon
Thinis	Anhur (Onouris)

Cusae
site named el-Qusiya in modern times. Was themain city of the 14th nome of Upper Egypt, located just south of Amarna. Was at one time the southern boundary of the Hykosos control.
 
 

D
daily royal rites
ceremonies of the divine cult that were listed on the temple walls at Abydos and recounted in papyri. They were dedicated to the god Amon and date from the New Kingdom era. The deity was offered unguents, wine, incense and articles of fine clothing and jewelry at the start of the service. Lavish care was taken of the statues of Amon in the temple, reserved in sanctuaries and hidden. Only the highest-ranking priests and members of the royal family could enter the sealed chambers of the god to perform the morning greetings, the washing rituals and clothing ceremonies. Each priest knew that he was acting solely as a substitute for the king.

Dashur
a necropolis area on the LIbyan Plateau near Memphis, popular with early dynastic families of anicent Egypt. Two of Snofru's 4th dynasty (2575-2551 bc) pyramids were errected there)

Defufa
a site at the Third Cataract of the Nile where twin brick fortresses were erected in the Old Kingdom period.

Deir el-Bahri
called Djeseru-Djeseru by the ancient Egyptians, which means "Holy of Holies." The modern name means "Monastery of the North" in Arabic. Mentuhotpe II (2061-2010 bc) of the 11th dynasty built his mortuary complex here. His temple was pyramidal in design, his royal female companions were buried at the rear of the complex in elaborate tombs.
Queen-Pharaoh Hathspesut (1473-1458 bc) of the 18th dynasty built a temple north of Mentuhotpe's complex.

Deir el-Ballas
a site north of Thebes where the palace complex of the 17th dynasty was discovered. It was used by Ta'o I and Kamose before the kings of the 18th dynasty abandoned the site.

Deir Durunka
a site south of Assiut where tombs of nomarchs fromt eh 19th dynasty were discovered.

Dendera
called Iunet or Tantere by the Egyptians, was the capital of the 6th Nome of Upper Egypt, south of Abydos. It was the cultic complex for the goddess Hathor.

Derr
site north of Abu Simbel of rock-carved temple dating to the reign of Ramesses II. Dedicated to the god Ra-Harakhte.

Deshret
The red crown; part of the Double Crown of Egypt. This was the crown that represented Lower Egypt (northern). Also the ancient name meaning Red Lands, refering to the desrt wastes surrounding the narrow, fertile strip of the Nile.

Divine Adoratirice
Chief priestess of Amun in Thebes, an office known from the New Kingdom through the Late Period. The office was a important tool of political control.

Divine Companions
a group of Egyptian divinities who were considered protectors of the temples and throne. They were four in number but each had 14 attendants/spiritual aids.

djeba
name for the sacred perch or reed that was associated with the creation tales. The reed, split in two at the moment of creation, rose out of the chaos waters to serve the emerging deity.

Djed Column
Symbol of stability. It was believed that the djed is personification of a human backbone. It represents strength and stability. Originally associated with the creation god Ptah, who was called the "Noble Djed." When the Osiris cults took hold it's definition was known as the backbone of Osiris. A djed column is often painted on the bottom of coffins, where the backbone of the deceased would lay. This identified the person with the king of the underworld, Osiris. It also acts as a sign of stability for the deceased's journey into the afterlife.

Djew
It means "mountain." The Egyptians believed that there was a cosmic mountain range that held up the heavens. This mountain range had two peaks, the eastern peak was called Bakhu and the western peak was Manu. On these peaks, heaven rested. Each peak of this mountain chain was guarded by a Aker. The mountain was a symbol of the tomb and the afterlife, most likely because most tombs were located in the mountainous land that bordered the Nile valley. Occasionally Anubis was said to be the guardian of the tomb. This was because he was referred to as "He who is upon his mountain." Occasionally Hathor takes on the attributes of a deity of the afterlife, when this happens she is called "Mistress of the Necropolis," and is rendered as the head of a cow protruding from a mountainside.

Dromos
A straight, paved avenue flanked by sphinxes.

Duat
The land of the dead. It lies under the earth and is entered through the western horizon.
 
 

E
Edfu
a city located north of Aswan in Upper Egypt, called Behdet by the ancients. Was the capital of the 2nd nome of Upper Egypt and the cult center of Horus-falcon worship. City was called the "Exaltation of Horus" in some eras.

Edku
an important salt lake in Egypt's Delta.

electrum
a metal popular in the New Kingdom, although was used earlier. IT was a naturally occuring combination of gold and silver. Was fashioned into the war helmets of hte kigns and was also used to top some pyramids and oblisks. It was called tjam, or white gold, the greeks called it electrum.

Ennead
A group of 9 deities that are associated with a major cult center. The best known is the great Ennead of Heliopolis, which consists of Atum, Shu, Tefnut, Geb, Nut, Osiris, Isis, Seth and Nephthys.

Epagomenal Dyas
the 5 days at the end of the ancient calendar that were used to commenorate the birthdays of the gods with huge festivals and ceremonies. The Days were added to the calendar by Imhotep, the vizier of Djoser of the 3rd Dynasty. He used the additional time to correct the calendar. THey birthdays celebrated on these days were, in order: Osiris, Horus, Set (Seth), Isis, Nephthys.

Erment (Armant)
called Iun-Mut in Egyptian and Hermonthis in Greek, a site south of Thebes. Was once the chief town of the 4th nome of Upper Egypt but was replaced byt Thebes. The god Mont had a cult center there and remains of an 11th dynasty palace was discovered there. A temple built by Queen-Pharaoh Hatshepsut and restored by Tuthmosis III is also there.

Esenchebis

extradition
a clause in the Hittitie-Egypt Alliance in the rule of Ramesses II. It provided that persons of rank who attempted to flee their goverment to escape punishment would be returned.

'Eye of Ra'
Usually a goddess - Bastet, Sekhmet, Tefnut - who is used as a tool for Ra's revenge/punishment
 

F
Faience
A glazed material with a base of either carved soapstone or molded clay. It is overlaid green or blue colored glass.

Faiyum
the region called Ta-she (Pa-yuum, Pa-yom), meaning the Land of Lakes. It is a natural depression extending along the western side of the Nile, roughly 65 miles south of Cairo. It was settled in Paleolithic times. The region was fed by the Bahr Yusef, an Arabic name meaning "Joseph's River" (refering to an Islamic hero, not Biblical related). It was a diverted stream of the nile that left the main river at Assiut. This stream was allowed to enter the Faiyum but was not provided with a natural ext, thus inundating the region and transforming it into a lush garden and marsh site.
    The capital of the area was Shedet (Crocodilopolis), near Lake Moeris (Karun or Qarun). In time the region became clogged and reduced to stagnant marshes. The 12th dynasty kings began a series of hydraulic systems to reclaim the entier Faiyum. At various times the Faiyum extended over 4,000 sq miles.

False Door
A door carved or painted on a wall. The ka would use this door to partake of funerary offerings and the deceased's family would leave offerings for the ka.

Faras
a site near Abu Simbel, below Aswan, which contained temples and a rock chapel from teh New Kingdom. Also there is a temple of Tutankhamun.

fate
called shoy or shai by the Egyptians who put great importance of the destiny of each individual. Shoy was the good or ill laid down for each at the moment of birth by the Seven Hathors. If the fate was good, it was called Renenet (Renenutet) after the goddess of generation. In cases of royal princes, the heirs, the Seven Hathors guaranteed a favorable fate. They arrived at the crib of a prince born on an unlucky day and changed him, putting a lucky child in his place to advoid disaster for the nation.

Fecundity Figure
A type of offering that placed at the base of temple walls. The bearers are depicted bringing offerings into the temple. The male figures are often shown with heavy pendulous breasts and bulging stomachs. This symbolizes the abundance of the offerings they bring.

Fetish
Used by the cults of Osiris and Anubis, it was an animal skin hanging from a stick.

First Occasion
an ancient term which meant the primeval times, called pat, paut or paut-taui. The First Occasion denoted the appearence of a god on earth.

First Under the King
a title used by court officials, denoting a particualr rank and the right to rule a certain region in the king's name. In Upper Egypt the senior officails were also called the "Magnates of the Soutehrn Ten." This affirmed their hereditary/aquired rights as an elite group of govrnors and judges.

Flagellum
A crop or whip used to ward off evil spirits.

flagstaffs
called Senut by the Egyptians, the symbolic poles used in the frong of pylons at all major temples and shrines.

flail
one of the most important insignias, used with the crook to represent the majesty of the kings. THe flail, carried by the god Osiris, is normaly shown in the hands of dead kings. It was once described as a whip but is now belived to represent the ladanisterion, the instrument used by early goatherds in the NEar East. Such a symbol dating back to the ancient eras would have magical connotations.

Followers of Horus
3 distinct groups, each with its own unique role in the life of the nation. The first, the supernatural, company bearing this name were creatures who supposedly accompanied Horus and were called Shemsu-Heru were honored at all Horus' shrines and temples. In the mortuary texts the Followers assume even more dramatic roles. They purify the deceased on their journey and are described in some documents as predynastic rulers who welcome the dead into their domains of eternal bliss.
    The 2nd group of Followers are associated with the souls of Pe and Nekhen, the legendary godlike kings before the predynastic era. At various Osiris and Horus festivals, a group called the Followers of Horus, the 3rd group, conduct mock battles with the Followers of Set (Seth). THe Horus Followers always won.

Followers of Set (Seth)
a group of of Egyptians who participated in staged, mock battles in the cermonies honoring Osiris and Hours. They were called mesu-betesht, or desheru, the red ones.

Forty-Two Judges
the mythical divine being sin the Judgement Hall of Osiris, where the decased were called upon to give an account of their lives on earth. Each judges sat in council with the god Osiris to determine the worthiness of the mortals. THey were awesome creatures, some bearing titles to indicate their ferocity and purpsoe such as Long of Stride, Stinking Face and Eater of Entrails.

Friends of the King
a rank popular in the Old Kingdom and conferred through out history. An honorary rank, the tittle distinguished officials who had access to the king as a counselor or attendant.

frog
a symbol of generation, rebirth and fertility. The frog goddess was Heket.

Funerary Cones
Clay cones inserted above a tomb's entrance with the name and title of the deceased.

Funerary Offerings
Bread, wine, beer and other food items that were provided by mourners or magically. If by magic then it was through inscriptions and pictures in the tomb that it was received.

Flame
A symbol represented by a lamp or brazier on a stand where a flame emerges. Fire was embodied in the sun and the uraeus, which spat fire. It also plays a part in the Egyptian concept of the underworld. The Christians concept of hell is similar to one terrifying aspect of the underworld. Most would like to avoid this place with it's fiery rivers and lakes that were inhabited by fire demons.
 

G
Garf Husein
 a site below the First Cataract near the Wadi Alaki, where a temple of Ramesses II was discovered. It was dedicated to Ptah.

Gebel Adda
site of a rock cut temple of Horemhab of the 18th Dynasty. THe shrine was dedicated to the gods Amon and Thoth.

Gebelein
modern name for a site on teh western shore of hte nile, south of Erment. It was called Pi-Hathor and was center for the goddess Hathor from ancient times.

Gebel Zebara
a gold mining area in the eastern desert near Edfu. Seti I of the 19th dynasty dug wells there and imporved the living condition sof the Egyptian miners.

Gerze
a site in the Faiyum called the Lower Valley. A large necropolis was discovered there with tombs from predynastic times.

Girdle of Isis
an ancient magical sign. It was an Ankh-shaped form with lateral arms drooping on either side. This amulet, called the tit, was made of red materials and honored the blood of Isis. It was believed that the symbol would confer strength upon the living and the dead.

Giza
a plateau area southwest of modern Cairo that served a sthe necropolis site for the Old Kingdom royal familes and court officials.

"go to one's ka"
an expression for the act of dying.

Governors of the Northlands
officials of the New Kingdome era who governed three provinces of the eastern territories.

Greatest of Seers
a title used for some of the prelates of the temples of Karnak, Memphis and Heliopolis
 

H
hat
the human heart when described anatomically

harem
the harem or household of lesser wives of the kigns, called per-khenret, was highly organized bureaucracy that functioned primarily to supply male heirs to the throne, particularly when a male heir was not born to a ranking queen. The earliest evidence for a harem dates to the Early Dynastic period and the tombs of several women found beside that of Djer (2900 bc) at Abydos. These women were obviously lesser ranked wives who lived in a harem. By the 6th dynasty (2323 bc) the institute was presided over by a queen and included educational facilities for the royal children and those of important officials.
    In the reign of Amenhotep III (1391-1353 bc) of the 18th dynasty, the harem was located at Malkata. Akehnaten had a harem at Amarna and the administration of it has been well documented. Harems of this period had overseers and agriculture lands, cattle and weaving centers which served as training facilities and as sources of materials. Harems employed scribes, inspectors and craftsmen, not to mention dancers and musicians to provide entertainment.
    Foreign princesses given in marriage also resided in the harem, in some periods the complexes were built in pastoral areas and older queens or those out of favor retired there. In Ramesses II"s reign, such an institution was near the Faiyum. The harem could be a source of conspiracy.

Hat Aten
ancient name for a villa of the god Aten in the city Amarna. Quen Nefertiti moved out of the royal place and resided in this mansion soon after the death of one of her daughters.

Hatnub
called the "House of Gold" was an alabaster quarry near Amarna.

Hawara
a site in the Faiyum, northwest of Lahoun where the Labyringth of Amenemhet III (1844-1797 bc) was discovered.

heb
ancient word for festival.

Hedjet
The white crown; the crown of Upper Egypt (southern).

Heryshaf (Herysaf, Herisef Greek Harsaphes)

Hez-ur
Hibis
an ancient capital of the Kharga oasis.

Hierakonpolis
site of a city called Kekhen. This is where the Narmer Palette was found as well as the Scorpion mace-head and copper statues of Pepi I and his son (2289-2255 bc)

Hieratic
A form of writing that was used throughout Egyptian history. This name was used for later periods when this particular form of writing was used only in religious texts. Its name comes from the Greek word meaning "sacred."

Hieroglyph
The Egyptian picture language. The pictures usually don't form letters but whole words or ideas. The word comes from the Greek word meaning "sacred carving."

High Gates of Medinet Habu
crenelated towers, designed with indented battlements whihc were on the eastern and western sides of the complex built by Ramessess III of the 20th dynasty.

High Priest
The head of the local priesthood.

Hike (Heka)
The personification of supernatural powers attributed to the gods and the eldest son of Atum. Doctors, who invoked his magical powers when practicing their arts, called themselves 'priests of Hike.'

Hittite Alliance
an Egyptian text translated from cuneiform, describing the pact between egypt and the Hittites during the era of Ramesses II and inscribed upon the walls of the temple Karnak and the Ramesseum.

honey
a symbol of resurrection, also considered a poision to ghosts, the dead or evil spirits in a New Kingdom lullaby.

Hor-Hekenu

"Horus-in-the-Nest"
term used to designate the heirs to the throne.

House of Adorers
a religious insitution involved in the land during the Ramessid era.

Hua
a mountain or high hill in the region below the cataract as Aswan. A navigational point for Egyptian ships.

Hurbeit
a site in the Delta, northeast of Bubastis, where the remains of a Ramessid-era temple were discovered with building blocks with the seals of Ramesses II.

Hypostyle Hall
A term for the grand, outermost halls of an Egyptian's house. They are believed to represent a grove of trees. It comes from the Greek word meaning "bearing pillars."

Hyksos
name applied by Manetho to the various Asiatic groups  were recorded as having suddenly appeared in Egypt. Manetho wrote that they raced on horse-drawn chariots to establish a tyranny in the land. However, research indicates they did not enter suddenly with "a blast of God." During their take over of Egypt Thebes stood resolute against the expansion and the Hyksos were denied much of Upper Egypt. For awhile it appears the Hyksos and the Theban dynasty lived in some what peace, however, soon the kings of the Theban 17th dynasty were harassing the Hyksos. Apophis, the Hyksos ruler who came to the throne in 1585 bc, sent an insult to Sekenenre-Tao II of Thebes and found himself in the middle of a full-scale war as result. Kamose took up the battle when Tao died, using the desert oases as hiding places for his army. Kamose was within strinking distance of Avaris when he was slain/died. Apophis died a short time before him. Ahmose I, founder of the 18th dynasty and the New Kingdom, took up the battle and laid siege to Avaris. In 1532 bc the sity fell to him. The Hyksos retreated to Sharuhen in Palestine, the Egyptians followed and soon Sharuhen fell to Egypt and the Hyksos retreated to Syria.

Hymn of Rising
a ceremony conducted each morning in the palaces of Egypt, in which courtiers and priests waken the king and the gods with songs and hymns of praise.

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Much thanks to the Glossary of Egyptian Mythology ©1997 Deurer and The Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt © 1991 M. Bunson, where I got some of my gods, goddess and definitions

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Egyptian Goddesses

Egyptian Gods from A to H

Egyptian Gods from I to Z

Defintions from I to Z

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Everything on my sites is either mine or used from somewhere else with the thought that it was okay to be used on this non-comercial site. If this isn't true email me and I'll fix it. I've provided links to the sites where I got some of my information and pictures. If I missed something, email me and I'll fix it.
 

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