akhet

ancient Egyptian season

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June 18, 2026

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In ancient Egypt, "Akhet" referred to one of the three seasons of their civil calendar, specifically the season of inundation or flooding. This season was crucial for agriculture as the Nile River's annual overflow deposited fertile silt onto the land. The Egyptian civil calendar consisted of 365 days, divided into three seasons: Akhet (inundation), Peret (sowing/growth), and Shemu (harvest/low water). Each season comprised four months, and each month had 30 days, with an additional five epagomenal days added at the year's end. The city of Akhetaton, meaning "Horizon of the Aton," was founded by Pharaoh Akhenaten and served as his capital.12

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Egypt
Agriculture and fishing
…conditions produced by the river: akhet, the “inundation”; peret, the season when the land emerged from the flood; and shomu, the time when water was short. When the Nile behaved as expected, which most commonly was the case, life went on as normal; when the flood failed or was excessive,…
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…conditions produced by the river: akhet, the “inundation”; peret, the season when the land emerged from the flood; and shomu, the time when water was short. When the Nile behaved as expected, which most commonly was the case, life went on as normal; when the flood failed or was excessive,…
Read More