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The Roles of the Goddess Hatmehyt

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 The Roles of the Goddess Hatmehyt

Ibrahim IBRAHIM, Fayoum University

Walid SHAIKH AL ARAB, Fayoum University

Abstract

Egyptian goddess, Hatmehyt was a minor fish-deity whose traces have survived
throughout history since the 4th dynasty (2670 BC to 2500 BC) until Roman times (30 BC-
641 AD). Her cult was centered in the area around Djedet, a city in the Delta known to the
Greeks as Mendes. The Epithets of Hatmehyt define different aspects and roles that the
goddess plays in the Ancient Egyptian pantheon. In many ways, they reveal her nature as it
was perceived by the ancient Egyptians and reflect the different aspects and roles that the
deity was able to play in the Egyptian pantheon.

Geographical epithets of Hatmehyt are the most common and important ones,
especially those that connected with the XVIth Nome and its capital, Djedet. The New
Kingdom witnessed the appearance of the earliest known title of the goddess which has a
geographical aspect: « 1ryt-(ib) 9dt: She who resides in Djedet ». This highlights the link
between Hatmehyt and her main cult center, Djedet. That geographical title was considered
as the most common for the goddess who bore it in all following periods.

Keywords: Hatmehyt, Banebdjedet, Osiris, Isis, epithet, Dolphin’s Nome, Mendes, Djedet.

I. Introduction
The Egyptian goddess, Hatmehyt1 was a minor fish-deity whose traces have survived
throughout history since the 4th dynasty (2670 BC to 2500 BC) until Roman times (30 BC-
641 AD). Her Egyptian name 1At-mHyt, means ''She who is in front of the fishes 2", perhaps
referring to her pre-eminence in relation to the few rival fish cults3. However, her name could
also be interpreted in a temporal sense as "The foremost of the fishes" stressing her position
as the earliest fish-goddess to exist when Egypt emerged from the primeval waters.


Special Thanks to Prof Stephen Quirke, Institute of Archaeology, UCL for his time reading the article and
giving his valuable comments.
1
About the goddess Hatmehyt, see Zivie-Coche Christiane. 2009, ''Hatmehyt, le Tilapia, le Lotus et le Ba de
Mendès'' in OLA 191, Louvain: Peeters, p. 545-557; Wilkinson Richard H. 2003. 2003, The Complete Gods
and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt, New York: Thames & Hudson, p. 228-229; Leitz Christian. 2002, Lexikon
der ägyptischen Götter und Götterbezeichnungen V, Orientalia Lovaniensia Analecta 114, Leuven; Paris,
Dudley: Peeters, p.17(c)-18(a-b); Turner Patricia, Coulter Charles Russell, Dictionary of Ancient Deities, New
York: Oxford University Press, 2001, p. 206; Gamer-Wallert Ingrid. 1977, ''Hatmehit'', in Helck Wolfgang,
Otto Eberhard, Lexikon der Ägyptologie. Band II. Erntefest - Hordjedef, Wiesbaden: O. Harrassowitz, col.
1042-1043.
2
See Gamer-Wallert Ingrid. 1970, Fische und Fischkulte im Alten Ägypten, Ägyptologische Abhandlungen 21,
Wiesbaden: O. Harrassowitz, p. 20.
3
The fish as a divinity is comparatively rare in the Egyptian pantheon, see Hart George. 2005, The Routledge
Dictionary of Egyptian Gods and Goddesses, 2nd ed. London: Routledge, p. 66.
1
 Her cult was centered in the area around Djedet, a city in the Delta known to the Greeks
as Mendes4. The fact that the symbol of the sixteenth Nome of Lower Egypt, where Hatmehyt
was revered, represents precisely her typical animal perched on a standard, suggests that she
was the first and the most important deity in this province. However, with the rise of the cult
of the ram god Banebdjedet5, her worship would have lost much of its significance and
become associated to the ram god with whom she eventually formed a divine couple. Then,
the local theologians added the child god Harpocrates of Mendes as the third member of the
Mendesian Triad, which was well-attested in the Third Intermediate Period and the Late
Period.

Hatmehyt was depicted as a woman with a fish emblem over her head or sometimes as
6
a fish . The specific fish with which Hatmehyt identified is either the Nile carp ''the tilapia'',
or the dolphin. The significance of the dolphin, which was known to venture occasionally
some distance up the Nile, would lie in its position as the premier hunter of fish. Hence, the
Greeks called the dolphin ''king of the fish and ruler of the sea''7. An Egyptian calendar refers
to the 28th day of the fourth month of Akhet season as the day on which ''not to eat the eaters-
of-fish in Mendes''. This text reflects how ancient Egyptians think about the dolphin.
However, the discovery of votive mummies of fish at Tell el Roba by Canadian mission
(between 1993 and 1996), indicated that what worshiped at Mendes in the Ramesside period
was indeed a fish, not a dolphin. This does not exclude the possibility that it was originally
the dolphin and was later replaced by the Nile carp8.

Hatmehyt does not seem to enjoy the same popularity in the different phases of history.
In the Old and Middle Kingdoms, Hatmehyt was almost unknown as she was not mentioned
in the main funeral corpus of the Pyramid Texts and Coffin Texts as well.

From the surviving evidence, it seems that until the New Kingdom her role was still
very limited. However, from the Late Period onwards, her cult grew and gained popularity
that allowed her to appear alongside the great deities of the Egyptian pantheon. From that
time, the fame of Hatmehyt continued to increase remarkably in the Greco- Roman era.

4
Djedet is the ancient Egyptian name of the capital of the XVIth Nome of Lower Egypt, Kha. It is also known as
Per-Banebdjedet:"The Domain of Banebdjedet". Then it was known as Mendes (Μένδης) in the Greco-Roman
Period. Known today as Tell El-Ruba (Arabic: ‫)تل الربع‬. During the 29th dynasty, Djedet was also the capital of
Ancient Egypt. This city is located in the eastern Nile delta, near the present village of El-Simbellawin, about
35 km from El-Mansoura, see Redford Donald B. 2001, "Mendes" In The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient
Egypt, Vol. 2, Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, p. 376–377; Redford Donald B. 2005, ''Mendes:
City of the Ram God'', Egyptian Archaeology: The Bulletin of the Egyptian Exploration Society 26, London:
London: Oxford University Press, p. 8–12; Gauthier Henri. 1929, Dictionnaire des noms géographiques
contenus dans les textes hiéroglyphiques VI, Le Caire, p. 136.
5
About the god Banebdjedet, see Leitz. 2002, LGG II, p. 683(b-c)-685(a).
6
For more information about the iconography of the goddess Hatmehyt, see Christian Hermann, « Hatmehit »,
in J. Eggler et Ch. Uehlinger (éd.), Iconography of Deities and Demons in the Ancient Near East : Electronic
Pre-Publications, 31 January 2007, p. 1-2 (article available on:
Text: http://www.religionswissenschaft.uzh.ch/idd/prepublications/e_idd_hatmehit.pdf;
Illustrations: http://www.religionswissenschaft.uzh.ch/idd/prepublications/e_idd_illustrations_hatmehit.pdf).
7
See Meeks Dimitri. 1973, ''Le Nom du Dauphin et le Poisson de Mendès'', RdÉ 25, Paris; Leuven: peeters, p.
209-216.
8
This mission has discovered several deposits of pottery containing the remains of young Nile carp, see
Corteggiani Jean-Pierre. 2007, L'Égypte ancienne et ses dieux: dictionnaire illustré, Paris: Fayard, p. 184-185.
2
 In mythology, Hatmehyt played a small but significant role in the myth of Osiris;
during the Late Period Hatmehyt helped goddess Isis in her search of the dismembered god's
body parts and became thus associated with Isis9.

The epithets of Hatmehyt define different aspects of the goddess. In many ways, they
reveal her nature as it was perceived by the ancient Egyptians. With a history of worship over
perhaps three thousand years, it seems that the epithets of Hatmehyt witnessed many changes
during this long period. These qualifiers were varied according to the roles played by the
goddess in the Egyptian pantheon. This study aims to identify not only the main titles of
Hatmehyt, but also her honorary appellations during the ancient Egyptian periods as well as
their developments. These epithets include those that concern mainly Hatmehyt, but were
carried also by other goddesses as well as those epithets which were carried only by
Hatmehyt. Consequently, the study is an attempt to answer the following question: do the
terms used to describe this divinity vary according to the period? Thus, the study sheds more
light on the personality of Hatmehyt throughout her appellations.

The study is divided into three parts: (I) specific and common geographical titles, (II)
other titles, and (III) Honorary Appellations. The titles and epithets in every section are
listed according to the conventional order of Egyptological transliteration

II. Geographical Titles and Epithets

The writings in connection with the goddess Hatmehyt often refer to her geographical
associations. This type of title is significant as it brings out the relation between Hatmehyt
and certain nomes, cities, and shrines where the divinity was revered.

The Geographical epithets may be separated into two categories: Specific

Geographical Epithets dedicated mainly to Hatmehyt and Common Geographical Epithets
which the goddess shares with others deities.

II.1. Specific Geographical Titles

N° Epithet Graphs Dating

Imy 1At-mHyt10: She who is in

(1) LP11
Dolphin’s Nome

9
See Gamer-Wallert. 1977, ''Hatmehit'' in LÄ II, col. 1042; Bonnet Hans. 1971, Reallexikon der ägyptischen
Religionsgeschichte, Berlin; New York: W. de Gruyter, p. 282.
10
1At-mHyt is the Ancient Egyptian name for the XVIth Nome of Lower Egypt, see Gauthier. 1927, Dictionnaire
des noms géographiques IV, p. 15; Brugsch-Bey Heinrich. 1879, Dictionnaire géographique de l'ancienne
Egypte contenant plus de 2000 noms géographiques qui se rencontrent sur les monuments égyptiens, Leipzig:
J. C. Hinrich, p. 293.
11
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(b), [1]; Davies Norman de Garis. 1953, The Temple of Hibis in El Khārgeh
Oasis, PMMA 17, New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, p. 15-16 and pl. 10.
3
 (2) aAt m 9dt12: Great One in Djedet LP13

(3) Nb(t) 8s-Sn14: Lady of Des-Shen LP15

1nwt 1At-mHyt: Sovereign of

(4) G.-R.16
Dolphin’s Nome

(5) 1nwt m 9dt: Sovereign in Djedet G.-R.17

1ry(t)-ib Imnti18: She who resides in

(6) LP19
Imenti

1ry(t)-ib 1At-mHyt: She who resides in

(7) G.-R.20
Dolphin’s Nome

1ry(t)-(ib) 9dt: She who resides in

(8) Djedet NK21

12
About this city, see note n° 4.
13
This epithet appeared only in the text coming from the Late Period, see Leitz. 2002, LGG II, p. 68(c), [1] and
LGG V, p. 18(a), [21]; Piehl Karl. 1882, ''Deux inscriptions de Mendès '' RecTrav III, Paris: F. Vieweg, p. 29.
14
8s-Sn which may be the ''Place of hair cutting'' was the name of the neighborhood in the capital of XVI th
Nome of Lower Egypt (Mendes), see Gauthier. 1929, Dictionnaire des noms géographiques VI, p. 98.
15
See Leitz. 2002, LGG IV, p. 167(c) , [1] and LGG V, p. 18(a), [7]; Meulenaere Herman De, Mackay Pierre.
1976, Mendes II, Warminster: Aris & Phillips Ltd, pl. 15, n° 36 (d).
16
See Cauville Sylvie. 2004, Dendara V-VI. Traduction. Vol. I, Les cryptes du temple d’Hathor, OLA 131,
Leuven, Paris, Dudley: Peeters, p. 266-267; Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [27] and p. 194(a), [1]; Chassinat
Émile, Daumas François. 1965, Le Temple de Dendara. Tome sixième, PIFAO, Le Caire, IFAO, p. 3.
17
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [23]; Cauville Sylvie. 1998, Dendara I. Traduction, OLA 81, Leuven:
Peeters, p. 188-189; Chassinat Émile. 1934, Le Temple de Dendara. Tome Première, PIFAO, Le Caire: IFAO,
p. 127.
18
Imnti was the name of the IIIrd Nome of Lower Egypt which lied in the west of the Canopic branch of the
Nile, see Gauthier. 1925, Dictionnaire des noms géographiques I, P. 75.
19
The name of Hatmehyt was followed by the epithet « 1ry-ib Imnti: She who resides in Imenti » in the Late
Period. This title is written in the text carved upon the statue Chicago OI 10802, see Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p.
18(a), [18] and p. 416(a), [1-3]; De Meulenaere Herman. 1964, "Cultes et sarcophages à Imaou (Kôm El-Hisn)
au temps des dynasties Saïte et Perse", BIFAO LXII, Le Caire: IFAO, p. 158-159.
20
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, 18(a), [31, 35, 39] and p. 426(a-b), [1-3]; Cauville. 1997, Le temple de Dendara. Les
chapelles osiriennes (transcription et traduction), BiEtud 117, p. 30, 199; Cauville. 1997, Le Temple de
Dendara. Les chapelles osiriennes, Dendara X/1, p. 54, 368; Favard-Meeks Christine. 1991, Le temple de
Behbeit el-Hagara. Essai de reconstitution et d’interprétation, SAK 6, Hamburg: H. Buske, p. 151.
21
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, 18(a), [16] and p. 437(b), [1-5, 7, 9-11, 13-14, 16]; Leitz. 1994, Tagewählerei. Das
Buch HAt nHH pH.wy Dt und verwandte Texte, ÄA 55, 1, Wiesbaden: O. Harrassowitz, p. 187.
4
 LP22

G.-R.23

1nwt mnxt m anpt24: Excellent

(9) G.-R.25
Sovereign of anpet
(1 2ntyt pr BA26: She who presides over
G.-R.27
0) Per-Ba

II.2. Common Geographical Epithets

N° Epithet Graphs Dating

aAt m 6p-iHw28: Great One in

(11) G.-R.29
Tep-Ihou

22
The goddess Hatmehyt continues to carry this title during the Late Period, see Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a),
[3, 8, 9, 18]; Edwards Iorwerth Eiddon Stephen. 1960, Hieratic papyri in the British Museum. 4th series,
Oracular Amuletic Decrees of the Late New Kingdom, London: The Trustees of the British Museum, L. 6 (BM
10587) verso 64; De Meulenaere Herman. 1964, "Cultes et sarcophages", BIFAO LXII, p. 158-159; De
Meulenaere, Mackay. 1976, Mendes II, pl. 18, n° 45(e) and pl. 23, n° 55(a); Daressy Georges. 1916, ''Fragment
Mendésien'', ASAE 16, Le Caire: IFAO, p. 60.
23
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [2, 32, 36-38, 40-41] and p. 426(a-b), [1]-[3], Chassinat Émile. 1898-1920, Le
temple d'Edfou. Tome II (publié in extenso d'après les estampages recueillis par le Marquis de Rochemonteix),
MMAF 11, Le Caire: IFAO, p. 82; Sethe Kurt Heinrich. 1904, Hieroglyphische Urkunden der griechisch-
römischen Zeit I, Historisch-biographische Urkunden aus den Zeiten der Makedonischen Könige und der
beiden ersten Ptolemäer, Urkunden des ägyptischen Altertums 2, 1, Leipzig: J.C. Hinrich, II, 32 (14); Kamal
Ahmed Bey. 1904-1905, Stèles ptolémaiques et romaines, Catalogue général des antiquités égyptiennes du
Musée du Caire. Nos 22001-22208, Le Caire: IFAO, p. 161; Daumas. 1959, Les mammisis de Dendara,
PIFAO, Le Caire: IFAO, p. 103; Lepsius C.R. 1973 (Re edition), DenkmÆler aus Ægypten und Æthiopien,
Vierte Abteilung vol. IX (pl. I-XC), Genève: Éditions de Belles Lettres, pl. 62-63; Chassinat. 1910, Le mammisi
d’Edfou. Premier fascicule, MMAF 16, Le Caire: IFAO, p. 12 and 96.
24
anpt was the ancient Egyptian name of the city that often cited with close relationship with the capital of the
XVIth Nome of Lower Egypt ''Mendes''. Its modern name is Tell Tmai el Amdid (‫ )تل تمي األمديد‬which locates a
few hundred meters in the south of Mendes, see Gauthier. 1925, Dictionnaire des noms géographiques I, p.
147.
25
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [41] and p. 183(b), [1]; Chassinat. 1910, Le mammisi d’Edfou, p. 96.
26
Pr BA was the Egyptian name of a sanctuary built for the ram god Ba in the city of Djedet ''XVI’s capital'', see
Gauthier. 1926, Dictionnaire des noms géographiques II, p. 73.
27
Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [2] and p. 903(b), [1]; Sethe. 1904, Urk II, 32 (14); Kamal. 1905, Stèles
ptolémaïques, p. 161.
28
6p-iHw was the sacred name of the capital of the XXIInd Nome of Upper Egypt (Aphroditopolis). Its modern
name is (‫)اطفيح‬, see Gauthier. 1929, Dictionnaire des noms géographiques VI, p. 52.
29
Leitz. 2002, LGG V, 18(b), [1]; Thiers Christophe. 2003, Tôd: Les inscriptions du temple ptolémaïque et
romain. II, Textes et scènes n° 173-329, PIFAO 902 A, Le Caire: IFAO, p. 224 (285, 9), and 375.
5
 (12) <nbt> Iwnt30: Lady of Iounet G.-R.31

(13) Nb(t) 5dt32: Lady of Shedet LP33

1nwt Pwnt34: Sovereign of

(14) G.-R.35
Punt
1ry(t)-ib IAt-dit36: She who
(15) G.-R.37
resides in Iatdi
1ry(t)38-ib Iwnw39: She who
(16) LP40
resides in On ''Heliopolis ''

1ry(t) -ib Iwnt41: She who

(17) G.-R.42
resides in Iount
1ry(t)-ib NTrw43: She who
(18) G.-R.44
resides in Nether

30
Iwnt was the ancient Egyptian name of the capital of VI th Nome of Upper Egypt, its modern name is Dendara
(‫)دندرة‬, see Gauthier. 1925, Dictionnaire des noms géographiques I, p. 56.
31
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [27]; Cauville Sylvie. 2004, Dendara V-VI Traduction. Vol. I, Les cryptes du
temple d’Hathor, OLA 131, Leuven, Paris, Dudley: Peeters, p. 266-267; Chassinat Émile, Daumas François.
1965, Le Temple de Dendara. Tome sixième, PIFAO, Le Caire: IFAO p. 3.
32
5dt was the civil name of the capital of the XXIth of Upper Egypt (''Crocodilopolis'' in the Greco-Roman
period and ''The Fayoum, ‫ '' الفيوم‬now), dedicated to the god Sobek, see Gauthier. 1928, Dictionnaire des noms
géographiques V, p. 150.
33
See Leitz. 2002, LGG IV, p. 145(b), [2] and LGG V, p. 18(a), [12]; Davies. 1953, The Temple of Hibis, p. 13
and pl. 21 (west Wall).
34
About this city which played a role of primary importance in the production of incense trees, see Gauthier.
1926, Dictionnaire des noms géographiques II, p. 45-46.
35
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, 18(a) [26, 29] and p. 176(c), [16, 21]; Cauville. 2004, Dendara V-VI, p. 112-113 and
308-309; Chassinat Émile. 1952, Le Temple de Dendara. Tome cinquième, PIFAO, Le Caire: IFAO, p. 30;
Chassinat É. 1952, Dendara VI, p. 40.
36
IAt-dit was the name of Dendara temple sanctuary and with extension this name was given to the city of
Dendara itself, see Gauthier. 1925, Dictionnaire des noms géographiques I, P. 35.
37
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [28] and p. 413(a) [3]; Cauville. 1997, Les chapelles osiriennes, p. 3;
Cauville. 1997, Dendara X/1, p. 5.
38
Christian Leitz has wrongly copied the word 1ry(t)-ib; he wrote the letter t instead of the letter r, see Leitz.
2002, LGG V, p. 414(a).
39
Iwn was the name of the capital of the XIIIth Nome of Lower Egypt, now Heliopolis (‫)هليوبوليس‬, see Gauthier.
1925, Dictionnaire des noms géographiques I, p. 54.
40
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a) [7] and p. 414(a), [3]; De Meulenaere, Mackay. 1976, Mendes II, pl. 15, n°
36(d).
41
Iwnt was the ancient Egyptian name of the capital of the VI th Nome of Upper Egypt, now Dendara (‫)دندرة‬, see
Gauthier. 1925, Dictionnaire des noms géographiques I, p. 56.
42
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a) [33] and p. 414(a) [19]; Chassinat Émile, Daumas François. 1978, Le Temple
de Dendara. Tome huitième, PIFAO 529, Le Caire: IFAO, p. 60.
43
NTr which means ''Sacred City '' was an important city in the Lower Egypt that seems to have belonged to the
XIIth ''Sebennytos'', and it was dedicated to the goddess Isis, see Gauthier. 1926, Dictionnaire des noms
géographiques III, p. 107.
44
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, 18(a), [35] and p. 425(c) [8]; Favard-Meeks. 1991, Le temple de Behbeit el-Hagara, p.
151.
6
 1ry(t)-ib Hbt45: She who
(19) LP46
resides in Hibis
2ntyt IAt-dit: She who
(20) G.-R.47
presides over Iatdit

2ntyt WTst-1r48: She who

(21) G.-R.49
presides over Wetheset-Her

2ntyt BHdt50: She who

(22) G.-R.51
presides over Behdet
2ntyt 6A-n-Itmw52: She who
(23) presides over the Land of G.-R.53
Atoum

Some of Hatmehyt’s geographical epithets refer to her main cult center, XVIth Nome of
Lower Egypt and its cities, Djedet and anpet. Others are related to very specific locations of
cult within Djedet. However, several epithets demonstrate the relation between the goddess
and other cities or other specific places of worship not only in the Delta, but also in Upper
Egypt.

III. Titles

Beside the epithets having a geographical nature, Hatmehyt bore other epithets of
different aspects that clearly defined the roles that the divinity played in the Egyptian
pantheon. Those appellations followed the goddess’ name starting from the Late Period (1069
BC to 332 BC) until the end of the Greco-Roman Period.

45
Hbt was Egyptian name of the capital of the great oasis of El-Kharga, now Hibis (‫)هيبس‬, see Gauthier. 1927,
Dictionnaire des noms géographiques IV, p. 4.
46
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(b), [1] and p. 426(a), [4, 27]; Davies. 1953, The Temple of Hibis, p. 15-16 and
pl. 10.
47
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, 18(a), [39] and p. 892(c), [55]; Cauville. 1997, Les chapelles osiriennes, p. 199;
Cauville. 1997, Dendara X/1, p. 368-369.
48
WTst-1r was the sacred name of IInd Nome of Upper Egypt devoted to Horus and its capital (''Apollinopolis
Magna'' in the Greco-Roman period, and ''Edfu, ‫ ''إدفو‬now), see Gauthier. 1926, Dictionnaire des noms
géographiques II, P. 210.
49
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [41] and p. 900(b), [49]; Chassinat. 1910, Le mammisi d’Edfou, p. 96.
50
BHdt was particularly the ancient Egyptian name of the capital of 2nd Nome of Upper Egypt and this name was
given to many ancient Egyptian cities having a sanctuary dedicated to Horus. Its modern name is Edfu (‫)إدفو‬,
see Gauthier. 1926, Dictionnaire des noms géographiques II, p. 27.
51
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [32] and p. 901(a), [5]; Chassinat. 1897, Edfou II, p. 82.
52
6A-n-Itmw was a very frequent nomination for the temple of Dendara, see Gauthier. 1929, Dictionnaire des
noms géographiques VI, P. 19.
53
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, 18(a), [29] and p. 933(b), [25]; Cauville. 2004, Dendara V-VI , p. 308-309; Chassinat,
Daumas. 1965, Dendara VI, p. 40.
7
 N° Epithet Graphs Dating

(24) Ityt m Snw n itn: Sovereign in G.-R.54

the globe of the sun

(25) Nbt antyw55: Lady of myrrh G.-R.56

LP58

(26) Nbt pt: Lady of the sky57

G.-R.59

(27) Nbt sxm mnit sSSt: Lady of

sxm-sistrum, mnit-necklace G.-R.60
and sSSt (naos)-sistrum

(28) Nbt sSd: Lady of head band G.-R.61

(29) Nbty rxyt: Mistress of Mankind G.-R.62

54
See Cauville. 2004, Dendara V-VI, p. 266-267; Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [27] and p. 609(a), [20];
Chassinat, Daumas. 1965, Dendara VI, p. 3.
55
antyw was brought to Egypt by trading expeditions from Arabia, Somalia and Ethiopia, see Wilson Penelope.
1997, A Ptolemaic Lexikon: A Lexicographical Study of the Texts in the Temple of Edfu, OLA 78, Leuven:
Peeters Pub.l ; Department of Oriental studies, p.162-163; Lucas Alfred. 1934, Ancient Egyptian Materials
and Industries, London: E. Arnold, p. 94-95; Helck Wolfgang, Otto Eberhard. 1982, Lexikon der Ägyptologie.
IV, Megiddo-Pyramiden, Wiesbaden: Otto Harrassowitz, col. 275-276.
56
See Leitz. 2002, LGG IV, p. 31(c), [25]; LGG V, 18(a), [26]; Cauville. 2004, Dendara V-VI, p. 112-113;
Chassinat. 1952, Dendara V, p. 30.
57
« Nbt pt: Lady of the sky » was a frequent epithet for several goddesses, see Leitz. 2002, LGG IV, p. 49(a-c)-
50(a-b).
58
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [18]; De Meulenaere. 1964, "Cultes et sarcophages", BIFAO LXII, p. 158-
159.
59
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a) [2], and IV, p. 50(a), [82]; Sethe 1904, Urk II, 32 (14); Kamal. 1905, Stèles
ptolémaïques, p. 161.
60
See Cauville. 2004, Dendara V-VI, p. 266-267; Leitz. 2002, LGG IV, p. 134(a), [1] and p. 18(a), [27];
Chassinat, Daumas. 1965, Dendara VI, p. 3.
61
See Cauville. 2004, Dendara V-VI, p. 266-267; Leitz. 2002, LGG IV, p. 137(b), [2]; LGG V, p. 18(a), [27];
Chassinat, Daumas. 1965, Dendara VI, p. 3.
62
See Leitz. 2002, LGG IV, p. 175(a), [73]; LGG V, 18(a), [29]; Cauville. 2004, Dendara V-VI, p. 308-309;
Chassinat, Daumas. 1965, Dendara VI, p. 40.
8
 (30) 1mt-nTr: God’s wife63 G.-R.64

(31) 1nwt nTrw nb(w)65: Sovereign

G.-R.66
of all the gods

(32) 1nwt Swty: Sovereign of Two

Feather Crown G.-R.67

1nwt tAwy: Sovereign of Two

(33) G.-R.68
Lands ''Egypt''

(34) 1ry(t) 4t-wrt: Superior of Set- LP70

ouert69 ''Great Place''

(35) 1qAt nfrt: Beutiful Regent G.-R.71

Some epithets and titles of Hatmehyt relate to her rule over earth and sky, also
expressed as the solar circuit, or as supremacy over other deities. To this thematic area belong
also the references to symbols of sovereignty and of goddesses (scepters, headgear). Others
evoke the materials of ritual (sistrum, incense) or the sanctuary, as the place of ritual.

IV. Epithets Descripting Qualities and Action

In addition to the above-mentioned epithets, Hatmehyt was qualified with various
honorary nominations that referred to her different aspects and roles that the goddess played
in the Egyptian pantheon. These appellations followed her name at least from the New
Kingdom (1550 BC to 1069 BC) until the end of the Greco-Roman Period

63
1mt-nTr was a frequent epithet for several goddesses; for example, Isis, Hathor, Tefnout, see Leitz. 2002,
LGG V, p. 136(b-c); Wilson. 1997, A Ptolemaic Lexikon, p. 646; Wb III 78, 14-15.
64
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [2] and p. 136(c), [4]; Sethe. 1904, Urk II, 32 (14); Kamal. 1905, Stèles
ptolémaïques, p. 161.
65
1nwt nTrw nb(w) was a female title carried by numerous goddesses in the ancient Egyptian pantheon, see
Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 189(a-c)-190(a-b).
66
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [2] and p. 189(c) [43]; Sethe. 1904, Urk. II, 32 (14); Kamal. 1905, Stèles
ptolémaïques, p. 161.
67
See Cauville. 2004, Dendara V-VI, p. 266-267; Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [27] and p. 207(c), [1];
Chassinat, Daumas. 1965, Dendara VI, p. 3.
68
See Cauville. 2004, Dendara V-VI, p. 308-309; Leitz. 2002, LGG V, 18(a), [29] and p. 213(b), 147; Chassinat,
Daumas. 1965, Dendara VI, p. 40.
69
4t-wrt was the name of the temple of Hibis sanctuary and by extension this name was given to whole temple
dedicated to the god Amon.
70
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [11]; Davies. 1953, The Temple of Hibis, p. 13 and pl. 5 (North Reveal, tab.
VIII).
71
See Cauville. 2004, Dendara V-VI, p. 308-309; Leitz. 2002, LGG V, 18(a), [29] and p. 545(b), [4]; Chassinat,
Daumas. 1965, Dendara VI, p. 40.
9
 N° Epithet Graphs Dating

(36) Ir-sA Ams72: She who protects G.-R.73

ames-scepter

(37) Ir sTi-Hb: She who makes G.-R.74

perfume of festivals

LP76
(38) Irt-Ra: Eye of Re75

G.-R.77

Idt=s (Hr) pXr m tAwy: Her scent

(39) G.-R.78
pervades in the Two Lands
''Egypt''

(40) Wnn=s aHAt r-mn hrw aHA: She is G.-R.79

a fighter at the day of battle

ant r nTrwt80: Beautiful One

(41) G.-R.81
among the goddesses

72
The Ams was the mdw stick of the king that was carried by him when he acted as Horus offering
protection and maintaining order. Because of its divine associations it is found in the hands of kings
only, see Helck, Otto. 1986, LÄ VI, col. 1376; Hassan Ali. 1976, Stöcke und Stäbe im
pharaonischen Ägypten bis zum Ende des Neuen Reiches, MÄS 33, München; Berlin: Deutscher
Kunstverlag, p. 179-183.
73
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [24]; Cauville Sylvie. 1999, Dendara II. Traduction, OLA 88, Leuven:
Peeters, p. 156-157; Chassinat Émile. 1934, Le Temple de Dendara. Tome Deuxième, PIFAO, Le Caire: IFAO,
p. 100.
74
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, 18(a) [26]; Cauville. 2004, Dendara V-VI, p. 112-113 ; Chassinat, Daumas. 1952,
Dendara VI, p. 30.
75
''Irt-Ra: Eye of Re'' was an epithet dedicated to several goddesses, see Leitz. 2002, LGG I, p. 521; Wb. I, 107
(8-11).
76
See Leitz. 2002, LGG IV,p. 18(a), [18]; De Meulenaere. 1964, "Cultes et sarcophages", BIFAO LXII,, p. 158-
159.
77
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [2]; Sethe. 1904, Urk II, 32 (14); Kamal. 1905, Stèles ptolémaïques, p. 161.
78
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, 18(a) [26]; Cauville. 2004, Dendara V-VI, p. 112-113 ; Chassinat. 1952, Dendara V,
p. 30.
79
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [24]; Cauville. 1999, Dendara II. Traduction, p. 156-157; Chassinat. 1934,
Dendara II, p. 100.
80
ant r nTrwt was an epithet dedicated to the goddess Hathor and other deities, see Leitz. 2002, LGG II,
p. 126(a-b).
81
See Cauville. 2004, Dendara V-VI, p. 266-267; Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [27]; Chassinat, Daumas. 1965,
Dendara VI, p. 3.
10
 LP83
(42) Wrt82: Great One

G.-R.84

LP86

(43) Wsrt85: Mighty One

G.-R.87

MfkAt-inm xsbDt tp: Whose skin

(44) in turquoise and head in lapis- G.-R.88
lazuli

(45) Mr ins: She who loves bright red G.-R.89

(cloth)

(46) nTryt xprw: Divine of G.-R.90

Manifestations

82
wrt is a honorary appellation following the name of the goddess Isis and many other divinities since
the Old Kingdom to the Greco-roman Period, see Leitz. 2002, LGG II, p. 478(b)-482(a).
83
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [9]; De Meulenaere, Mackay. 1976, Mendes II, pl. 18, n° 55(a); Daressy.
1916, ''Fragment Mendésien'', ASAE 16,p. 60.
84
Hatmehyt continues to bear this epithet in the texts coming from the Greco-Roman temples, see Cauville.
2004, Dendara V-VI, p. 308-309 and 362-363; Thiers. 2003, Tôd, p. 224 (285, 9); Leitz. 2002, LGG II, p.
480(a), [76, 81] and LGG V, p. 18(a), [29-30] and p. 18(b), [1]; Chassinat, Daumas. 1965, Dendara VI, p. 40 and
79.
85
Wsrt is a frequent epithet designating the goddess Isis and many other divinities, see Leitz. 2002, LGG II, p.
579(b-c)-580(a-c); Wb I 363 (8-12).
86
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [9]; De Meulenaere, Mackay. 1976, Mendes II, pl. 18, n° 55(a); Daressy.
1916, ''Fragment Mendésien'', ASAE 16, p. 60.
87
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, 18(a), [2, 31-32, 39]; and LGG II, p. 580(b) [18]; Sethe. 1904, Urk II, 32 (14); Kamal.
1905, Stèles ptolémaïques, p. 161; Cauville. 1997, Les chapelles osiriennes, p. 30, 199 ; Cauville. 1997,
Dendara X/1, p. 54, 368-369; Chassinat. 1897, Edfou II, p. 82.
88
See Cauville. 2004, Dendara V-VI, p. 266-267; Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [27]; Chassinat, Daumas. 1965,
Dendara VI, p. 3.
89
See Cauville. 2004, Dendara V-VI, p. 266-267; Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [27]; Chassinat, Daumas. 1965,
Dendara VI, p. 3.
90
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [30]; Cauville. 2004, Dendara V-VI, p. 362-363; Chassinat, Daumas. 1965,
Dendara VI, p. 79.
11
 Nk aA: She who copulates with
(47) G.-R.91
Seth (?)

(48) 1wt bAw: Mansion of rams G.-R.92

1nksty93: Woman with braided

(49) G.-R.94
hair

HH sn=s Hr mtr: She who looks

(50) for (the members of) her brother G.-R.95
over the flow

HH sn=s tp nwy: She who looks

(51) for (the members of) her brother G.-R.96
upon the flow

2prw=sn m int: Her

(52) NK98
manifestations are the fish97

Xnmt-anx99: She who is full of

(53) G.-R.100
life

(54) swDA Dt nt 2nty-DbAt101: She who

G.-R.102
protects the body of who

91
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a) [10]; De Meulenaere, Mackay. 1976, Mendes II, pl. 30, n° 105; Spiegelberg
Wilhelm. 1903, ''Die Tefnachthosstele des Museums von Athen'', RecTrav 25, Paris: F. Vieweg, p. 197.
92
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, 18(b) [1]; Thiers. 2003, Tôd, p. 224 (285, 9).
93
About this epithet, see Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 223(c)-224(b-c).
94
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [41]; Chassinat É. 1910, Le mammisi d’Edfou, p. 96.
95
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, 18(a), [31]; Cauville. 1997, Les chapelles osiriennes, p. 30 ; Cauville. 1997, Dendara
X/1, p. 54.
96
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [23]; Cauville. 1998, Dendara I. Traduction, p. 188-189; Chassinat. 1934,
Dendara I, p. 127.
97
int is the bulti fish ''Tilapia nilotica'' which was associated above all with the sun god, see Gamer-Wallert.
1970, Fische und Fischkulte, p. 24 and 109-113.
98
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, 18(a), [16]; Leitz. 1994, Tagewählerei, p. 187.
99
Xnmt-anx was one of the epithets qualifying Hathor or Isis, see Wilson. 1997, A Ptolemaic Lexikon, p. 771.
100
See Cauville. 2004, Dendara V-VI, p. 266-267; Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [27]; Chassinat, Daumas. 1965,
Dendara VI, p. 3.
101
2nty-DbAt: means ''He who presides over the sarcophagus'' referring to the dead god Osiris, see Leitz. 2002,
LGG V, p. 879(a-b), [6, 8-10].
102
See Cauville. 2004, Dendara V-VI, p. 362-363; Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [30]; Chassinat, Daumas.
1965, Dendara VI, p. 79.
12
 presides over the sarcophagus ''=
Osiris''

4nt mnxt nt Rs-wDA103: Excellent

(55) G.-R.104
Sister of Osiris

4t kmt-Sny dSrt-inm: Woman of

(56) G.-R.105
black hair and pink skin

(57) 5Aat: Primordial goddess G.-R.106

(68) 5pst: Noble Lady G.-R.107

(59) 6A-nfrt: The Beautiful One LP108

di=s wrH nwd Sps: She who

(60) gives wrh-unguent and sacred G.-R.109
nwd-ointment

The goddess Hatmehyt held several epithets that confirm her different roles in the
Egyptian pantheon. These appellations show the development of her cult and underscore the
fame that she gains throughout the different periods of the ancient Egyptian history.

103
Literary rs-wDA means ''He who wakes intact (whole)'', referring to the dead god regaining his generative
faculties and is a symbol of resurrection, see Van de Walle. 1970, ZÄS 98, p. 104-149; Cauville Sylvie.
1997, Le Zodiaque d’Osiris, Leuven: Peeters, 1997, p. 185. This term was particularly connected with Osiris
from the New Kingdom onwards, see Wilson. 1997, A Ptolemaic Lexikon, p. 591; Vernus P. 1978, Athribis,
textes et documents relatifs à la géographie, aux cultes, et à l’histoire d’une ville du delta égyptien à
l’époque pharaonique, BdE 74, Le Caire: IFAO, p. 426-427; Morenz Siegfried. 1977, La religion
égyptienne: essai d’interprétation, Payothèque 8, Paris: Payot, p. 248.
104
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, 18(a), [29]; Cauville. 2004, Dendara V-VI, p. 308-309; Chassinat, Daumas. 1965,
Dendara VI, p. 40.
105
See Cauville. 2004, Dendara V-VI, p. 266-267; Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [27]; Chassinat, Daumas. 1965,
Dendara VI, p. 3.
106
See Cauville. 2004, Dendara V-VI, p. 112-113; Leitz. 2002, LGG V, 18(a) [26]; Chassinat. 1952, Dendara VI.
p. 30.
107
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, 18(a), [31-32, 39]; Cauville. 1997, Les chapelles osiriennes, p. 30, 199; Cauville.
1997, Dendara X/1, p. 54, 368-369; Chassinat. 1897, Edfou II, p. 82.
108
See Leitz. 2002, LGG IV, p. 266(a) [14]; LGG V, p. 18(a), [21]; Piehl. 1882, ''Deux inscriptions'' RecTrav III,
p. 29.
109
See Leitz. 2002, LGG V, p. 18(a), [40]; Chassinat.1910, Le mammisi d’Edfou, p. 12.
13
V. Results and Discussion

After this enumeration of the different types of the phrases applied to the goddess
Hatmehyt, certain points are determined as follows. It is now evident that the study of her
epithets is still in its infancy. Further excavations particularly in the area around Hatmehyt’s
principal cult center, Djedet and further studies of collections with Egyptian and Levantine
objects would doubtless increase the list of Hatmehyt’s epithets and honorary appellations
proposed here.

Despite her quite narrow theological profile, Hatmehyt’s epithets remained fairly varied
through the centuries. Moreover, the historical development of her cult, starting from the
New Kingdom, was characterized by such increasing association with other deities,
particularly Osiris and Isis. Through these associations, Hatmehyt gained some diffusion,
both in terms of geographical distribution and semantic contexts. Moreover, she played her
roles until the Greco-Roman period, as many pictorial and written sources attest, which
contributed to her specific profile.

The occurrence and use of Hatmehyt epithets seem not to be geographically restricted.
Her traditional main cult center, Mendes revealed through the time being discussed only a
small number of her known appellations. Upper Egyptian references also contributed to the
list of Hatmehyt’s epithets. It is significant that no epithets of Hatmehyt have yet been noted
outside of Egypt.

The diversity of Hatmehyt’s epithets profoundly reflects the different aspects and roles
she played in the Egyptian pantheon. Until the end of the Second Intermediate Period, the
goddess Hatmehyt did not bear her specific titles that followed her name in the next periods.
This is probably due to the fact that at her principal cult center, located at Mendes, the
monuments have largely disappeared now, explaining the absence of more substantial written
sources for the divinity during these periods.

During the New Kingdom, the worship of Hatmehyt was gradually developed and she
bore for the first time an epithet that highlights her link with her principal cult center,
Mendes; she is qualified as « 1ryt-(ib) 9dt: She who resides in Djedet ». In addition, the
goddess carried her earliest descriptive epithet: « 2prw=sn m int: Her manifestations are the
fish », which refers to her emblem.

In the Late Period, the worship of the goddess Hatmehyt was developed to a greater
extent. She held several titles that reflect clearly her different roles and aspects in the
Egyptian pantheon. In addition to her geographical epithet, which already appeared in the
New Kingdom ''«1ryt-(ib) 9dt'': She who resides in Djedet », Hatmehyt bore two new
epithets which indicate her relationship with Dolphin’s (Fish) Nome and its capital, Djedet: «
Imy 1At-mHyt: She who is in Dolphin’s Nome » and « aAt m 9dt: Great One in Djedet ». She
carried in the same time an epithet that linked the goddess with a specific location in her main
cult center, Djedet: « Nb(t) 8s-Sn: Lady of Des-Shen ».

Moreover, Hatmehyt bore several epithets which show her relationship with other cities
either in Lower and Upper Egypt. The most prominent one from Lower Egypt is: « 1ry(t)-ib
Imnti: She who resides in Imenti », while, some from Upper Egypt are also emerged
14
including: « Nb(t) 5dt: Lady of Shedet », « 1ry(t) -ib Iwnw: She who resides in On
''Heliopolis ''» and « 1ry(t)-ib Hbt: She who resides in Hibis ». She carried at the same time
an epithet that demonstrates her connection with a specific place of worship at Hibis: « 1ry(t)
4t wrt: Superior of Set-ouert ''Great Place''».

In the same period, Hatmehy received epithets that refer not only to her solar aspect: «
Nbt pt: Lady of the sky » and « Irt-Ra: Eye of Re », but also to her mighty character « Wsrt:
Mighty One ». Furthermore, Hatmehyt is entitled: « 6A-nfrt: The Beautiful One ».

In the Greco-Roman period, the number of sources for Hatmehyt increase, with the
inclusion of her name in the larger temples preserved in southern Upper Egypt (Dendera and
Edfu) and the monolithic monuments found at Mendes itself (notably the Mendes stela
Egyptian Museum Cairo CG22181 and naos Egyptian Museum Cairo CG70021)), and she
appears alongside the great deities of the Egyptian pantheon.

A number of Hatmehyt’s epithets refer to her main cult center, XVIth Nome of Lower
Egypt (Dolphin’s Nome): « 1nwt 1At-mHyt: Sovereign of Dolphin’s Nome » and « 1ry-ib
1At-mHyt: She who resides in Dolphin’s Nome ». Others refer to the cities in this Nome: «
1nwt mnxt m anpt: Excellent Sovereign of anpet », « 1nwt m 9dt: Sovereign in Djedet ».
Moreover, an epithet connects Hatmehyt with a specific location within the capital of the
Dolphin’s (Fish) Nome, Djedet: « 2nty pr BA: She who presides over Per-Ba ».

However some epithets are connected to some capitals of certain Upper Egyptian
Nomes: « aAt m 6p-iht: Great One in Tep-Ihet », « <nbt> Iwnt: < Lady > of Iounet », « 1ry(t)
-ib Iwnt: She who resides in Iount », « 1ry(t)-ib IAt-di: She who resides in Iatdi », « 2nty IAt-
di: She who presides over Iatdi », « 2nty WTst-1r: She who presides over Wetheset-Her »
and « 2nty BHdt: She who presides over Behdet ». One of her epithets refers to a specific
place at Dendara: « 2nty 6A-n-Itmw: She who presides over the Land of Atoum ».

The geographical epithets of Hatmehyt that connected the goddess with Lower Egypt
and its places of cult are less common than those coming from the Upper Egypt. Only one
title of the goddess, away of its cult center, is connected with a city in Lower Egypt: « 1ry(t)-
ib NTr: She who resides in Nether ». It is important in this context to signify the appearance of
the only epithet that links Hatmehyt with a land outside Egypt « 1nwt Pwnt: Sovereign of
Punt ».

In the Greco-Roman period, Hatmehyt was also considered a solar deity: « Irt-Ra: Eye
of Re », « Ityt m Sn n itn: Sovereign in the orbit of the sun » and « Nbt pt: Lady of the sky ».
She was in the same time one of the primeval deities: « 5Aat: Primordial goddess » whose
images are « nTryt xprw: Divine of Manifestations » and she was entitled: « Wrt : Great One »
and « Spst: Noble Lady ». As a result, she was « Nbty rxyt: Mistress of Mankind », « 1nwt
nTrw nb(w): Sovereign of all Gods », « 1nwt Swty: Sovereign of Two Feather Crown » and «
1nwt tAwy: Sovereign of the Two Lands ''Egypt''».

She was the goddess of protection and combat: « Ir sA Ams: She who protects ames-
scepter », « Wnn=s aHAt r-mn hrw aHA: She is a fighter at the day of battle », « Wsrt : Mighty
One », particularly for her brother Osiris « HH sn=s Hr mtr: She who looks for (the members
of) her brother over the flow », « HH sn=s tp nwy: She who looks for (the members of) her

15
brother upon the flow », « swDA Dt nt 2nty-DbAt: She who protects the body of the one who
presides over the sarcophagus ''= Osiris''», « 4nt mnxt nt Rs-wDA: Excellent Sister of Osiris ».

Hatmehyt is the « 1mt-nTr: God’s wife», therefore she was endowed with some
attractive feminine qualities that referred to her charm: « ant r nTrwt: The Beautiful One
among the goddesses », « 4t kmt Sny dSrt inm: Woman of black hair and pink skin », « Idt=s
(Hr) pXr m tAwy: Her scent pervades in the Two Lands ''Egypt'' », « MfkAt-inm xsbDt tp:
Whose skin is turquoise and whose head is lapis-lazuli », « mr ins: She who loves bright red
(cloth)», « 1nksty: Woman with braided hair », « 1qAt nfrt: Beautiful Sovereign » and «
Xnmt-anx: She who is full of life ».

As a goddess of ritual, cult music and adornment, Hatmehyt bore several honorary
appellations: « Nbt sxm mnit sSSt: Lady of sxm-sistrum, mnit-necklace and sSSt (naos)-sistrum
», « Nbt sSd: Lady of head band », « Nbt antyw: Lady of myrrh », « Ir sTi-Hb: She who make
perfume of festivals » and « di=s wrH nwd Sps: She who gives wrh-unguent and sacred nwd-
ointment ».

Finally, the goddess is also entitled: « Nk aA: She who copulates with Seth (?) », « 1wt
bAw: Mansion of rams ».

VI. Conclusion:
In conclusion, the main epithets applied to Hatmehyt broadly reflect the different
aspects and roles that the deity was able to play in the Egyptian pantheon. It is significant to
note that no epithet is attributed to Hatmehyt in the surviving record until the end of the
Second Intermediate Period.

Geographical epithets of Hatmehyt are the most common and important ones,
especially those that connected with the XVIth Nome and its capital, Djedet. The New
Kingdom witnessed the birth of the earliest known title of the goddess which has a
geographical aspect: « 1ryt-(ib) 9dt: She who resides in Djedet ». This highlights the link
between Hatmehyt and her main cult center, Djedet. Such geographical title was considered
as the most common for the goddess who bore it in the all next periods respectively.

The epithets that carried only by the goddess Hatmehyt are: « Nb(t) 8s-Sn: Lady of
Des-Shen », « aAt m 9dt: Great in Djedet », « 1nwt 1At-mHyt: Sovereign of Dolphin’s Nome
», « 1nwt m 9dt: Sovereign in Djedet », « 1ry(t)-ib 1At-mHyt: She who resides in Dolphin’s
Nome », « 1nwt mnxt m anpt: Excellent Sovereign of anpet», « 2nty pr BA: She who presides
over Per-Ba », « 1ry(t)-ib Imnti: She who resides in Imenti ».

VIII. Bibliography:

1. Beinlich Horst. 1991, Das Buch vom Fayum: zum religiösen Eigenverständtnis einer
ägyptischen Landschaft, ÄgAbh 51, Wiesbaden: O. Harrassowitz.
16
2. Bonnet Hans. 1971, Reallexikon der ägyptischen Religionsgeschichte, Berlin; New
York: W. de Gruyter.
3. Brugsch-Bey Heinrich. 1879, Dictionnaire géographique de l'ancienne Egypte
contenant plus de 2000 noms géographiques qui se rencontrent sur les monuments
égyptiens, Leipzig: J. C. Hinrich.
4. Cauville Sylvie. 1997, Le Temple de Dendara. Les chapelles osiriennes (transcription
et traduction), BiEtud 117-119, Le Caire: IFAO.
5. Cauville Sylvie. 1997, Le Zodiaque d’Osiris, Leuven: Peeters, 1997.
6. Cauville Sylvie. 1998, Dendara I. Traduction, OLA 81, Leuven: Peeters.
7. Cauville Sylvie. 1999, Dendara II. Traduction, OLA 88, Leuven: Peeters.
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