Capital of the 6th Upper Egyptian nome and the most important cult centre for the goddess Hathor. The modern name is derived from the ancient Egyptian one (Iunet of the goddess, in Egyptian 'Iunet-ta-netjeret', the last part of which was probably pronounced Tantere in the Late Period). Apparently there were already building activities taking place here during the Old Kingdom on a temple for Hathor, among others during the reigns of Khufu and Pepi I. In the 18th Dynasty, too, Tuthmosis III initiated building work on the temple. Archaeological proof of this has never been found, but inscriptions in the present building record it. The present temple for Hathor was built in the Graeco-Roman Period. A separate temple for Isis was built nearby by the Roman emperor Augustus, and also a processional way, leading to a neighbouring temple dedicated to Horus of Edfu. This latter sanctuary can be proved to date back to the Middle Kingdom. It was intended to be a dwelling place for Horus when he travelled to Dendera during the great festivals to visit Hathor, his wife. Not far from the temple are two mammisi or birth houses, built by Nectanebo I and Augustus, dedicated to Harsomtus or Ihi, the child of Hathor and Horus. Various other chapels are also in the vicinity.