Nithotep (also known as Neithotep), whose name means "Neith is satisfied", is believed to have been a Princess from a royal house in Lower Egypt, possibly originating from either Pe or Dep (two cities that combined created the city of Buto in later times) or Sais. She became the first Queen of a unified Egypt through her marriage with Narmer and was the mother of the 1st Dynasty Pharaoh, Hor-Aha.
Until the excavation of her mastaba tomb in 1896 by Jacques de Morgan, Nithotep was virtually unknown and there is still only limited information to be found on her specifically. Her gigantic tomb, located at Naqada (Nubt) was at first associated with Hor-Aha because of artifacts found within, however, later research has caused this tomb to be considered the sepulcher of Nithotep.
Nithotep's tomb consisted of a large above-ground mastaba (approximately 53.4 by 26.7 meters) with a complicated niched serekh façade in imitation of a royal palace, surrounded by an enclosure wall. Strangely, the burial chamber was above ground as well, in the middle room of a five-chambered rectangular structure centered within the niched façade, and the grave of the queen was thought to lie in a circular hole in the burial chamber. The fact that Nithotep was buried so far south seems odd, and it is possible that she died before Narmer completed the subjugation of the north, although this may contradict, in part, the theory behind the alliance of Narmer and Nithotep.
In addition to the important architectural information that was ascertained, the tomb was rich in objects. A small ivory label inscribed with the name of Hor-Aha, in conjunction with the name Men, was found within, in addition to other items that closely associate Nithotep with both Narmer and Hor-Aha, which has sparked some controversy. Some scholars believe she was Hor-Aha's wife, while others believe she was Narmer's wife and the mother of Hor-Aha because of her association with both Pharaohs. What is apparent is that she was buried by Hor-Aha and not Narmer, this deduction having been made due to the sheer volume of artifacts that were found in her tomb with Hor-Aha's name. Other artifacts bearing a carved figure of the queen have been unearthed at a grave at Helwan, opposite ancient Men-nefer (Memphis).
After Narmer's military conquest of the northern portion of Egypt, it is very possible that he used a marriage alliance with the hereditary princess of the North, Nithotep, to cement his claim and legitimize his possession. This type of alliance became a common practice among later Pharaohs of the 1st and 2nd Dynasties as well. In marrying Nithotep, Narmer assured that his son would rule all of Egypt not only by right of conquest, but also by inheritance, though parts of the North would still dispute the sovereignty.
Though evidence is sparse, it would seem that the early dynastic Queens of Egypt, including Nithotep, had a more prominent place than later Queens in the administration of the land and politics. Meryet-nit, the wife of the 1st Dynasty Pharaoh Djet, as an example, became regent for her son Den after her husband's death and was later awarded a tomb both at Abydos and Saqqara in the same tradition used for the burial of Pharaohs. The size of the tombs for some of these queens is also thought to indicate a more important place in the court hierarchy than merely the position of Great Royal Wife and the possibility of this importance coming from their positions as hereditary Princesses cannot be overlooked.
As with much of the pre and early dynastic period of Egyptian history, limited information is available, but hopefully, with continued excavations, more evidence will appear to shed light on the relationship of Nithotep to both Narmer and Hor-Aha and even further, her political position within the newly united land of Egypt.
