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Gays in Ancient Egypt and Other Civilizations

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Kerry:

Niankhkhnum & Khnumhotep

Were they lovers?

Were they the Ancient Egytian equivalent of Jack & Ennis?

Who were Niankhkhnum & Khnumhotep?

We know they lived during the Fifth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom in Ancient Egypt (2450-2325 BC).

We also know that even though they were both married with children, they chose to be buried together in their own tomb alone. And that the paintings on the walls of the tomb depict them embracing, holding hands and gazing into each other's eyes. And though their children are shown with them in some of the paintings, their wives are not. All of this went against every convention of the day.

www.egyptology.com/niankhkhnum_khnumhotep

Visit their tomb and see the beautiful paintings of Niankhkhnum & Khnumhotep facing Eternity together, arm in arm.

David:
"OVERSEER OF THE MANICURISTS IN THE PALACE OF THE KING."   ?   oh yeah.


They look pretty young in the paintings.   Perhaps they were lovers and met an unfortunate fate because of that?      Nonetheless, the depictions are certainly thoughtful.

Kerry:

--- Quote from: DavidinHartford on January 19, 2007, 08:10:28 am ---"OVERSEER OF THE MANICURISTS IN THE PALACE OF THE KING."   ?   oh yeah.

--- End quote ---

Some things just don't change  ::) At least they weren't the King's hairdressers or court choreographers . . . or window dressers at the Pyramid Shopping Mall  :laugh:

Scott6373:
I dunno...they wear too much makeup...hehehehehehe

moremojo:
Kerry, I have read a little of these two Old Kingdom tomb-brothers (in exactly which way, we can only guess), and enjoyed seeing them referenced here. References and depictions of same-sex affection and eroticism seem virtually non-existent in ancient Egyptian civilization, at least in the fragments that have come down to us.

And yet, I remember reading a stray reference once to a Pharaoh who was regarded with scorn for his relations with one of his generals. No mention was made in my source of the Pharaoh's identity (or the general's, for that matter), and I would really appreciate learning this someday. Do you by any chance know anything of this?

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