Vizier (Ancient Egypt)

Statue of Hemiunu, vizier and designer of Khufu's pyramid at the Roemer- und Pelizaeus-Museum Hildesheim, Germany. His feet rest on columns of hieroglyphs, painted in yellow, red, brown, and black.

Vizier (Tjaty)
in hieroglyphs

The vizier (/vɪˈzɪər/ or /ˈvɪzɪər/) was the highest official in Ancient Egypt to serve the king, or pharaoh during the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms.^[1] Vizier is the generally accepted rendering of ancient Egyptian tjati, tjaty etc., among Egyptologists.^[2] The Instruction of Rekhmire (Installation of the Vizier), a New Kingdom text, defines many of the duties of the tjaty, and lays down codes of behavior. The viziers were often appointed by the pharaoh, most from loyalty or talent.^[3]

Responsibilities

The viziers were appointed by the pharaohs, but often belonged to a pharaoh's family. The vizier's paramount duty was to supervise the running of the country, such as a prime minister, at times even small details of it such as sampling the city's water supply.^[4] All other lesser supervisors and officials, such as tax collectors and scribes, would report to the vizier. The judiciary was part of the civil administration and the vizier also sat in the High Court. However at any time, the pharaoh could exert his own control over any aspect of government, overriding the vizier's decisions. The vizier also supervised the security of the pharaoh and the palace. The viziers often acted as the pharaoh's seal bearer as well, and the vizier would record trade.^[5] In the New Kingdom, there were two viziers, one for Upper Egypt and one for Lower Egypt.^[6]

Institution of the Vizier

Main article: Installation of the Vizier

According to the Installation of the Vizier a New Kingdom document describing the office of the vizier, the vizier has certain traits and behaviors that are required to be a vizier:

Act by the law
Judge fairly
Do not act willfully or headstrong

Notable viziers

Old Kingdom

**Viziers of the Old Kingdom**
Vizier	Pharaoh	Dynasty	Comments
Kagemni I	Sneferu	4th Dynasty	Purported author of the Instructions of Kagemni. Not attested in contemporary sources,
Nefermaat I	Khufu	4th Dynasty	Son of Sneferu and father of Hemiunu
Hemiunu	Khufu	4th Dynasty	Nefermaat's son, believed to have designed Khufu's pyramid
Kawab	Khufu	4th Dynasty	Eldest son and vizier of Khufu
Ankhhaf	Khafre	4th Dynasty	Son of Sneferu
Nefermaat II	Khafre	4th Dynasty	Nephew of Nefermaat the Elder, a son of Nefertkau; a grandson of Sneferu
Minkhaf	Khafre	4th Dynasty	Son of Khufu, vizier under Khafre
Khufukhaef	Khafre	4th Dynasty	Son of Khufu, vizier under Khafre
Nikaure	Menkaure	4th Dynasty	Son of Khafre
Ankhmare	Menkaure	4th Dynasty	Son of Khafre
Duaenre	Menkaure	4th Dynasty	Son of Khafre, vizier during the late 4th dynasty
Nebemakhet	Menkaure	4th Dynasty	Son of Queen Meresankh III
Iunmin I	Menkaure	4th Dynasty	Possibly son of Khafre, vizier during the late 4th dynasty
Babaef II	Shepseskaf	4th Dynasty	Grandson of Khafre

Sekhemkare	Userkaf and Sahure	5th Dynasty	Son of Khafre and queen Hekenuhedjet.
Seshathetep	uncertain	early 5th Dynasty	It is not certain that Seshathetep hold the titles of a vizier
Werbauba	Sahure	5th Dynasty
Washptah	Sahure and Neferirkare Kakai	5th Dynasty
Ptahshepses	Nyuserre Ini	5th Dynasty
Kay	Nyuserre Ini	5th Dynasty
Minnefer	Nyuserre Ini	5th Dynasty
Pehenuikai	Nyuserre Ini	5th Dynasty
Ptahhotep Desher	Menkauhor or Djedkare Isesi	5th Dynasty
Seshemnefer (III)	Djedkare Isesi	5th Dynasty
Ptahhotep I	Djedkare Isesi	5th Dynasty	Previously thought to be the author of The Maxims of Ptahhotep
Akhethotep	Djedkare Isesi	5th Dynasty	Son of Ptahhotep I.
Ptahhotep II	Djedkare Isesi	5th Dynasty	Author of The Maxims of Ptahhotep
Senedjemib Inti	Djedkare Isesi	5th Dynasty
Sekhem-ankh-Ptah		5th Dynasty or 6th Dynasty	Dating uncertain

Senedjemib Mehi		6th Dynasty	possible son-in-law of Unas (or Djedkare Isesi), vizier during the early 6th dynasty
Nefersheshemre	Teti	6th Dynasty
Kagemni	Teti	6th Dynasty	son-in-law of Teti
Mereruka	Teti	6th Dynasty	son-in-law of Teti
Khentika	Teti	6th Dynasty
Mehu	Teti	6th Dynasty
Ankhmahor	Teti - Pepi I	6th Dynasty
Merefnebef	Teti - Pepi I	6th Dynasty	Merefnebef is also known as Unis-ankh and Fefi in his tomb
Hesi	Teti - Pepi I	6th Dynasty
Meryteti	Pepi I	6th Dynasty	grandson of Teti, son of Mereruka
Iunmin II	Pepi I	6th Dynasty
Nebet	Pepi I	6th Dynasty	mother-in-law and vizier of Pepi I
Tjetju	Pepi I	6th Dynasty
Qar	Pepi I	6th Dynasty
Djau	Pepi I	6th Dynasty	brother-in-law of Pepi I, son of Nebet
Rawer	Pepi I	6th Dynasty

Shemay	Neferkaure - Neferkauhor	8th Dynasty	son-in-law of Neferkauhor, nomarch of Coptos, later vizier
Idy	Neferirkare(?)	8th Dynasty	son of Shemay

Middle Kingdom and Second Intermediate Period

**Viziers of the Middle Kingdom and Second Intermediate Period**
Vizier	Pharaoh	Dynasty	Comments
Bebi	Mentuhotep II	11th dynasty
Dagi	Mentuhotep II	11th dynasty
Amenemhat	Mentuhotep IV	11th dynasty	He later became king as Amenemhat I, first Pharaoh of the 12th dynasty

Ipi	Amenemhat I	12th dynasty
Intefiqer	Amenemhat I Senusret I	12th dynasty
Senusret	Senusret I Amenemhat II	12th dynasty
Ameny	Amenemhat II	12th dynasty
Amenemhat-ankh	Amenemhat II (?)^[7]	12th dynasty
Siese	Amenemhat II	12th dynasty
Sobekemhat	Senusret III	12th dynasty
Nebit	Senusret III	12th dynasty
Khnumhotep III	Senusret III	12th dynasty
Kheti	Amenemhet III	12th dynasty
Ameny	Amenemhat III	12th dynasty	^[8]
Zamonth	Amenemhat III	12th dynasty	^[8]
Senewosret-Ankh (vizier)		End 12th dynasty Beginning 13th dynasty

Khenmes	^[8]	13th dynasty
Ankhu	Khendjer	13th dynasty
Resseneb		13th dynasty	Son of Ankhu^[9]
Iymeru		13th dynasty	Son of Ankhu^[9]
Neferkare Iymeru	Sobekhotep IV	13th dynasty
Sobka called Bebi^[10]		13th dynasty
Ibiaw^[10]	Ibiaw or Ay	13th dynasty
Sonbhenaf ^[10]	Ibiaw or Ay, or Djehuti	uncertain
Aya ^[10]	Ini I	13th dynasty	Aya was Governor of El Kab before being appointed vizier in year 1 of Ini I
Ayameru ^[10]		13th dynasty	Ayameru was the younger son of Aya and succeeded him in office.

New Kingdom

**Viziers of the New Kingdom**
Vizier of the South (Thebes)	Pharaoh	Dynasty	Vizier of the North (Memphis)
Tetinefer	Ahmose I?	18th Dynasty
Imhotep	Tuthmosis I	18th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Aakheperreseneb	Tuthmosis I	18th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Amethu called Ahmose	Tuthmosis I, Hatshepsut	18th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Hapuseneb	Hatshepsut	18th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Useramen	Hatshepsut Thutmose III	18th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Rekhmire	Thutmose III	18th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Neferweben	Thutmose III	18th Dynasty	Likely Vizier of the North
Amenemipet called Pairy	Amenhotep II, Tuthmosis IV	18th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Seny	Tuthmosis IV	18th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Hepu	Tuthmosis IV	18th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Thutmose	Tuthmosis IV	18th Dynasty	Vizier of the North
Ptahmose	Amenhotep III	18th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Amenhotep-Huy	Amenhotep III	18th Dynasty	Vizier of the North
Aperel	Amenhotep III, Akhenaten	18th Dynasty	Vizier of the North
Ramose	Amenhotep III, Akhenaten	18th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Nakhtpaaten	Akhenaten	18th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Pentu	Tutankhamen	18th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Usermontu	Tutankhamen	18th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Ay ?	Tutankhamen	18th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Paramessu	Horemheb	18th Dynasty	Later took the throne as Ramesses I
Nebamun	Horemheb, Sethi I	18th Dynasty, 19th Dynasty	Vizier of the North
Prince Sethi	Ramesses I	19th Dynasty
Hatiay	Sethi I, Ramesses II	19th Dynasty	Vizier of the North?
Paser (Vizier)	Sethi I, Ramesses II	19th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Nehi	Ramesses II	19th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Khay	Ramesses II	19th Dynasty	Vizier of the South, ca. Year 27-45
Thutmose	Ramesses II	19th Dynasty	Vizier of the South, ca. Year 45-50.
Prehotep I	Ramesses II	19th Dynasty	Vizier of the North in ca year 40.
Prehotep II	Ramesses II	19th Dynasty	Vizier of the North in ca year 50.
Neferronpet	Ramesses II	19th Dynasty	Vizier of the South in ca year 50
Panehesy	Merenptah	19th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Pensekhmet	Merenptah	19th Dynasty	Vizier of the South, Year 8
Merysekhmet	Merenptah	19th Dynasty	Vizier of the North, Year 3?
Hori II	Ramesses II, Merenptah, Seti II, Amenmesse, Ramesses III	19th Dynasty
Amenmose	Seti II and Amenmesse	19th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Khaemtir	Seti II and Amenmesse	19th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Paraemheb	Seti II and Amenmesse	19th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Iuty		20th Dynasty	Vizier of the North?
Nehi?	Ramesses III	20th Dynasty
Hewernef	Ramesses III	20th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
To	Ramesses III	20th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Mentehetef (Montu-hir-hetef)	Ramesses IX	20th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Wennefer	Ramesses IX	20th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Nebmarenakht also called Saht(a)-nefer	Ramesses IX, Ramesses X and Ramesses XI	20th Dynasty
Khaemwaset	Ramesses IX	20th Dynasty	Vizier of the South
Herihor	Ramesses XI	20th Dynasty	Vizier of the South

Third Intermediate Period

Pinedjem I, vizier, later pharaoh
Hor: great-great-grandson of Osorkon II, vizier under Osorkon III
Nakhtefmut: son-in-law of Takelot II, vizier under Osorkon III
Nespakashuti: grandson of Takelot III

Late Period

Bakenrenef, vizier of the North under Psamtik I

References

↑ Shaw, Ian (2002). The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt. Oxford University Press. p. 104. ISBN 978-0-19-280293-4.
↑ Gardiner, Alan Henderson (1957). Egyptian Grammar; Being an Introduction to the Study of Hieroglyphs (3rd ed.). Oxford: Griffith Institute, Ashmolean Museum. p. 43. ISBN 0 900416 351.
↑ M. Heimlich, Ancient Egyptian Literature, vol.2, pp.21ff.
↑ Goddard, J (2012). Public Health Entomology. Starkville: CRC Press.
↑ Archived September 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
↑ Jane Bingham, Fiona Chadler, Jane Chisholm, Gill Harvey, Lisa Miles,Struan Reid, and Sam Taplin "The Usborne Internet - Linked Encyclopedia of the Ancient World" page 80
↑ W. Grajetzki: Court Officials of the Egyptian Middle Kingdom, London 2009, ISBN 978-0-7156-3745-6, p. 169
1 2 3 Grajetzki: Court Officials, 169
1 2 Grajetzki: Court Officials, 170
1 2 3 4 5 Kim Ryholt, The Political Situation in Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period c.1800-1550 B.C." Museum Tuscolanum Press, 1997. p.192 (ISBN 87-7289-421-0)

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Viziers of Ancient Egypt.

Ancient Egypt topics

Outline Index Major topics Glossary of artifacts

Agriculture Architecture (Egyptian Revival architecture) Art Astronomy Burial customs Chronology Cities (list) Clothing Cuisine Dynasties Geography Great Royal Wives History Language Literature Mathematics Medicine Military Music Mythology People Pharaohs (list) Philosophy Religion Sites Technology Trade Writing

Egyptology Egyptologists Museums

Book Category Ancient Egypt portal WikiProject Commons

Ancient Egyptian titulary

Royal titulary	Great Royal Wife Khenemetneferhedjet Pharaoh

Religious titulary	Divine Adoratrice of Amun God's Wife God's Wife of Amun High Priests of Amun High Priest of Osiris High Priest of Ptah High Priest of Ra Lector priest Servant in the Place of Truth Two Ladies

Courtly and administrative titulary	Haty-a High steward Iry-pat Khekeret-nisut Nomarch Overseer of the treasuries Treasurer Viceroy of Kush Vizier

Book Ancient Egypt portal

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Friday, May 06, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.