Plenty of Wiggle Tomb: The Intriguing Monuments of the Middle Kingdom Rulers of the Oryx Nome

Even in periods we might not think of as being glamorous, ancient Egyptians still knew how to be stylish. Take Khnumhoteps I and II, nomarchs (governors/administrators) of the Oryx nome (province) four thousand years ago. This remarkable family served the Twelfth Dynasty of pharaohs loyally and carved out a realm for itself in the 1900s BC. They were the rulers of the Oryx Nome, named after the oryx, a type of antelope.

A servant to Pharaoh Amenemhet I, Khnumhotep I started building a lovely tomb complex at Beni Hasan. He established a massive mortuary spot featuring tons of descriptions about how high in royal favor his family stood and included beautiful portraiture depicting the nomarchs’ relatives and subjects. Archaeologists can derive much information from the biographies, both written and visual, at Beni Hasan.

Autobiographies of the Rulers of the Oryx Nome

Khnumhotep served Amenemhet I. In his tomb autobiography, he noted that he sailed twenty ships to Nubia, where he ousted alleged rebels from the lands they occupied. Upon returning home, Khnumhotep said, “His Majesty appointed me as count of Menet-Khufu [a city in the Oryx nome].” My administration was excellent in the heart of His Majesty…” In these ways, he said, he “benefited” his people.