Priestess of Hathor orProphetess of Hathor was the title of thePriestess of the goddessHathor in theTemple of Dendera inAncient Egypt.^[1]

The title is known to be given during theOld Kingdom of Egypt, and was at that point very powerful and prestigious. The mummies of the priestesses testify that they were decorated with a religioustattoo, covering thestomach around the area of theuterus.^[2] After theMiddle Kingdom of Egypt, the title was often irregularly awarded the women of the royal family, typicallyprincesses.

The rise, fall and extinction of the priestesses of Hathor are seen in ancient Egyptian culture. The women who wanted to become socially powerful usually took refuge in religion and took the charge of priesthood.^[3][4]

Ancient Egyptian society took women's empowerment much more loosely thanancient Greece andancient Rome. There women were given the right to their own property. However, after becoming a priestess, a woman is seen not only as an important figure in ancient Egyptian society, but also a living symbol ofdivinity.^[3]

The priestesses ofHathor were calledhm ntr hthr, one of the most common title for women in the Old up to the early Middle Kingdom. But after theMiddle Kingdom of Egypt, the title was often irregularly awarded only to the women of the royal family, typically princesses. This includes the daughter ofRamesses II. At one time their names were completely erased from history.^[4][3] It seems that the title in the Old and Middle Kingdom did not actually refer to a proper cult of Hathor, but rather announced the role as female musician in any temple cult. Hathor was the goddess of music and making music was serving Hathor. In the New Kingdom the title priestesses of Hathor became very rare, as the titlechantress became common and replaced it as title for a female musician in a temple cult.^[5]

Egyptologysts have shown that in early days only women of aristocratic lineage could be appointed to the priesthood ofHathor. They were calledGod's Consort (Hmt nTr). They performed dances and songs during the sacred rites. Because of their menstruation and ability to give child-birth, they were considered unholy, which is why they could not perform sacred duties like dressing up the sacred image of deity.^[6][3]

The first woman to be mentioned as a priestess of Hathor isNeferhetepes. She was the daughter ofPharaoh Djedefre. However, the name ofHathor is not found in the earlier history of Egypt.^[3]

Priestesses ofHathor worshipped the Goddess in her main shrine which was known as the temple of Hathor, located near theNile basin. It is estimated that about four hundred priestesses were employed for her. There, improvement was the greatest during the reign ofPharaoh Menkaure. Archaeologists have unearthed several colourful paintings depicting the Goddess and Menkaure. He had also established the priestesses of Hathor in other places. It is seen in the royal stamp that he himself used to worshipHathor.^[3]

Goddess worship was the most prevalent during thefifth dynasty. At this time her shrines were established inUserkaf and other places. her idol was also placed in the royal funeral temple. Two main places of her worship were inGiza Necropolis, South ofMemphis. However, the researcher speculated that the two were interconnected.^[4]

During thesixth dynasty, the administrative system of the priests underwent several changes, as power was in the hands of the ministers, the number of priests increased during the reign ofPepi I. However during thetwelfth dynasty most of the female priests gradually became extinct.^[3]

The last notable Priestess ofHathor, was the wife ofSenusret I, an important minister of that time. There were several more priestesses at the time, but the numbers were rapidly decreasing. Later their names were completely erased from history.^[3][4]

• Ancient Egyptian priestesses
• Hathor