Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum

Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum
Overseer of Manicurists in the Palace
Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum depicted nose to nose and embracing in their tomb
DynastyFifth Dynasty
PharaohNyuserre Ini
WifeKhenut (Khnumhotep)
Khentikawes (Niankhkhnum)
ChildrenKhnumhotep:
  • Ptahshepses
  • Ptahneferkhu
  • Kaizebi
  • Khnumheswef
  • Niankhkhnum the younger
  • Rewedzawes

Niankhkhnum:
  • Hem-re
  • Qed-unas
  • Khnumhezewef
  • Hemet-re
  • Khewiten-re
  • Nebet
BurialMastaba of Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum
Rear wall of a vestibule in the tomb is visible through a doorway. On this wall, above and to the sides of a second door leading farther into the tomb, are murals painted in color. They show Khnumhotep and Niankhkhum seated at table above the second door, then they stand facing one another across the second door, each holding his staff of authority.
Entrance to second vestibule in the mastaba of Khnumhotep and Niankhkhnum, seen from the enclosed court.

Khnumhotep (Ancient Egyptian: ẖnm.w-ḥtp(.w))[1] and Niankhkhnum (Ancient Egyptian: nj-ꜥnḫ-ẖnm.w)[2] were two male ancient Egyptian royal servants. The men shared the title of Overseer of the Manicurists in the Palace of King Nyuserre Ini, sixth pharaoh of the Fifth Dynasty, reigning during the second half of the 25th century BC. They were buried together at Saqqara and are listed as "royal confidants" in their joint tomb.[3]: 98  They are notable for their unusual depiction in Egyptian records, often interpreted as the first recorded same-sex couple.[4]: 96ff [5]: 200–201 

  1. ^ Ranke, Hermann (1935). Die Ägyptischen Personennamen, Bd. 1: Verzeichnis der Namen (PDF). Glückstadt: J.J. Augustin. p. 276. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  2. ^ Ranke, Hermann (1935). Die Ägyptischen Personennamen, Bd. 1: Verzeichnis der Namen. Glückstadt: J.J. Augustin. p. 171.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference Rice2001 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Dowson was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Reeder2000 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).