Menkheperre, son of Pharaoh Pinedjem I by wife Duathathor-Henuttawy (daughter of Ramesses XI by wife Tentamon), was the High Priest of Amun at Thebes in ancient Egypt from 1045 BC to 992 BC and ''de facto'' ruler of the south of the country., p.207

Biography

Menkheperre's eldest full brother

Masaharta Masaharta or Masaherta was the High Priest of Amun at Thebes between 1054 and 1045 BC. Biography His father was Pinedjem I, who was the Theban High Priest of Amun and de facto ruler of Upper Egypt from 1070 BC, then declared himself pharaoh in 10 ...

followed their father Pinedjem I as High Priest. He was followed by another brother,

Djedkhonsuefankh Djedkhonsuefankh was a High Priest of Amun in Thebes believed to have been in office from 1046–1045 BC. It is often assumed that he was a son of Pinedjem I who succeeded his brother Masaherta during a time of great turmoil in the city of The ...

, after whose death, in the 25th year of Smendes I, Menkheperre became High Priest. With his elder half-brother ruling at Tanis as Pharaoh Psusennes I, Menkheperre's power, like that of Masaharta, must have been somewhat curtailed. Menkheperre took as his

throne name A regnal name, or regnant name or reign name, is the name used by monarchs and popes during their reigns and, subsequently, historically. Since ancient times, some monarchs have chosen to use a different name from their original name when they ac ...

the title of "First prophet of Amun", just as his great-grandfather Herihor had, perhaps an indication of this diminished role, though he kept the cartouche unlike his successors in the temple., p.207 Menkheperre married his niece Isetemkheb, daughter of his brother Psusennes I and wife Wiay. Their children were: *

Smendes II Smendes II was a High Priest of Amun at Thebes in Ancient Egypt. He briefly governed from about 992 to 990 BC., p.207 Biography The name ''Smendes'' is a hellenization of the Egyptian name ''Nesbanebdjed'' (''"He of the ram, lord of Mendes"''), ...

, also called Nesbanebdjed II, who followed him as High Priest. * Henuttawy C, wife of Smendes II, Chantress of Amun. She is mentioned on the 10th pylon of the

Karnak temple The Karnak Temple Complex, commonly known as Karnak (, which was originally derived from ar, خورنق ''Khurnaq'' "fortified village"), comprises a vast mix of decayed Egyptian temple, temples, Pylon (architecture), pylons, chapels, and other ...

. She was buried in the Deir el-Bahari tomb MMA60, her coffins are now in Boston and New York. She had a daughter called Isetemkheb. * Pinedjem II, High Priest after his brother's death. He married his sister Isetemkheb and became the father of Pharaoh Psusennes II. *

Isetemkheb D Isetemkheb (Asetemakhbit) is the name of several noble and royal women from Ancient Egypt. * Isetemkheb A, Chief of the Harem of Amun-Re, Wife of Pinedjem I (21st Dynasty) * Isetemkheb B, Chief of the Harem of Min, possibly the daughter of Masah ...

, wife of Pinedjem II. * Hori, priest of Amun and Seth. His mummy and coffins were found at

Bab el-Gasus Bab el-Gasus ( arz, باب الجسس, bāb el-gasus, lit=Gate of the Priests piesp. 17: "Daressy’s moniker ‘Tomb of the Priests’ likely finds its origins in the local traditions of Sheikh abd el Gurnah. Indeed, this phrase could be tran ...

(Deir el-Bahari) and are now in Cairo. * Meritamen, Chantress of Amun. She was buried at

under the pontificate of Psusennes II. Her coffins are in Cairo. *

Gautseshen Gautseshen (her name means 'bouquet of lotuses') was an ancient Egyptian priestess, the singer of Montu. She lived during the Twenty-first Dynasty of Egypt. Description Her father was Menkheperre, High Priest of Amun; her mother was Princess Ise ...

, Chantress of Montu. She was buried at

, her coffins and papyrus are now in Cairo. She was married to

Tjanefer Tjanefer (fl. 1008 BCE) was an ancient Egyptian priest during the reign of the Twenty-first Dynasty of Egypt. Description His father was Nesipaherenmut, the Fourth Prophet of Amun, and his mother was Isetemheb. According to the ''Karnak Priestl ...

, Third Prophet of Amun. Their sons, Pinedjem and Menkheperre became Third and Fourth Prophet of Amun, respectively. * Psusennes, priest of Min,

Horus Horus or Heru, Hor, Har in Ancient Egyptian, is one of the most significant ancient Egyptian deities who served many functions, most notably as god of kingship and the sky. He was worshipped from at least the late prehistoric Egypt until the P ...

and Isis at Coptos, known from a stela at the British Museum.

Biography

See also

References

Further reading