Top Image: Retjenu tribute bearers in the tomb of Sobekhotep, c. 1400 BC, during the reign of Thutmose IV, Thebes. British Museum.

The Retjenu was one of the most important peoples of ancient Canaan. What make them fascinating are their mysterious origins, their connection with the Hyksos as well as their strange but intimate association with a tradition about Giants.

The Retjenu in Egyptian Inscriptions

The earliest mention made of the Retjenu appears in  The Story of Sinuhe. Set during the time of the early 12th Dynasty, this story tells about an Egyptian official who fled to Canaan after the death of King Amenemhet I, founder of the 12th Dynasty in c. 1937 BC. The author identifies the land to the north of Byblos as Retjenu.

In the story, mention is made of Amunenshi, the ruler of Retjenu, and a certain “hero of Retjenu”, against whom Sinuhe had to fight in a one-on-one combat. Also mentioned are “rulers of renown” who controlled lands in that region, namely Meki of Qedem, the mountain chiefs of Keshu and the prince of Menus hailing from the lands of the Fenekhu.

Ostracon found in 1886 in the tomb of Sennedjem (Deir el-Medina, Tomb Nr. 1). Contains the Story of Sinuhe and the other a private letter.

The name, Retjenu, also appears on the Stele of Sobekkhu from the time of Senusret III (fl. c. 1835-1796 BC), who ruled later during the 12th Dynasty. It refers to people from Canaan who attacked the king during an expedition. We read, “Shechem fell, together with the wretched Retjenu”, which implies that the Retjenu resided in the city of Shechem in Canaan. His son, Amenemhet III, also refers to people from Retjenu in an inscription in the Sinai. The inscription refers to a certain Khebded (or Khebdedem), “brother of the prince of Retjenu”, who was accompanied by 10 “men of Retjenu” on a journey to the mines in the Sinai.