khnumhotep and niankhkhnum are believed by thomas dowson, greg reeder, and some other scholars to be the first recorded same-sex couple in ancient history. the assumed romantic relationship between khnumhotep and niankhkhnum is based on depictions of the two men standing nose to nose and embracing. niankhkhnum's wife, depicted in a banquet scene, was almost completely erased in antiquity, and in other pictures khnumhotep occupies the position usually designated for a wife. their official titles were "overseers of the manicurists of the palace of the king" (see sections titularies, banquents and music). critics argue that both men appear with their respective wives and children, suggesting the men were brothers, rather than lovers.