Henenu (high steward) facts for kids
Hannu (also known as Hennu or Henenu) was an important Egyptian noble. He worked for Mentuhotep III, a pharaoh who ruled around 2000 BC. Hannu was like the pharaoh's chief manager, also called a "majordomo." He helped Egypt by opening up trade routes again. These routes connected Egypt to places like Punt and Libya. Hannu was buried in a tomb in Deir el-Bahri, a famous burial ground in Theban Necropolis. His tomb is known as TT313.
We know about Hannu from two ancient writings. One is in Wadi Hammamat and the other is in his tomb. Some historians think these writings are about the same person. Others are not so sure.
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Hannu's Amazing Journeys
Hannu was famous for leading important expeditions. One of his most notable trips happened in the eighth year of Pharaoh Mentuhotep III's rule.
Expedition to the Red Sea
Hannu led an army of three thousand men. They started their journey from Coptos. They crossed the mountains of the Eastern Desert. They traveled through a valley called Wadi Hammamat. Their goal was to reach the coast of the Red Sea.
Hannu's Own Words
Hannu wrote about his journey on a rock. This writing is in the Wadi Hammamat valley. It tells us that the kings of this time traded with Arabia. This trade helped Egypt's economy grow stronger.
The first trip to the land of Punt happened under Pharaoh Sankh-ka-ra. Hannu was chosen to lead this important mission. He wrote about it himself:
I was sent to lead ships to the land of Punt. My job was to bring back sweet-smelling spices for the Pharaoh. These spices were collected by the people of that land. I started my journey from the city of Coptos. The Pharaoh commanded that soldiers from the south of Egypt should come with me.
After a part of the writing that is now damaged, Hannu continued:
Then I reached the Great Green. This was the Red Sea. I built ships and filled them with all kinds of goods. I also offered many cattle, oxen, and gazelles as a sacrifice. When I came back from the Great Green, I did what His Majesty ordered. I brought him every product I found on the shores of God's Land. I came back through Wadi Hammamat. I also brought him splendid blocks of stone for the temple statues.
Stopping Points on the Route
Hannu wrote about five main places where his group stopped. At these stops, people and animals could rest. They could also drink fresh water. The animals used for carrying things were probably donkeys.
This same road was used later by the Ptolemies and Romans. It went from Coptos to a harbor called Leucos Limen. This harbor is now known as Qossier. It was a very important trade route. Merchants from many countries used it. They traded amazing products from Arabia and India. It was like a bridge connecting Asia and Europe.
See also
In Spanish: Hannu para niños
