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Vizier (Ancient Egypt)

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The vizier was the highest official in ancient Egypt to serve the pharaoh (king) 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. During the 4th Dynasty and early 5th Dynasty, viziers were exclusively drawn from the royal family; from the period around the reign of Neferirkare Kakai onwards, they were chosen according to loyalty and talent or inherited the position from their fathers.[3]

Responsibilities

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Statue of Hemiunu, vizier and designer of Khufu's pyramid, at the Roemer- und Pelizaeus-Museum Hildesheim, Germany. His feet rest on columns of Egyptian hieroglyphs, painted in yellow, red, brown, and black.
G47t
Z1		 A1
Vizier (Tjaty)
in hieroglyphs
Era: New Kingdom
(1550–1069 BC)

The viziers were appointed by the pharaohs. The vizier's paramount duty was to supervise the running of the country, much like a prime minister. At times this included small details such as sampling the city's water supply.[4] All other lesser supervisors and officials, such as tax collectors and scribes, reported to the vizier. The judiciary was part of the civil administration, and the vizier also sat in the High Court. 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 by overseeing the comings and goings of palace visitors.[5] The viziers often acted as the pharaoh's seal bearer as well, and the vizier would record trade.[6] From the Fifth Dynasty onwards, viziers, who by then were the highest civilian bureaucratic official, held supreme responsibility for the administration of the palace and government, including jurisdiction, scribes, state archives, central granaries, treasury, storage of surplus products and their redistribution, and supervision of building projects such as the royal pyramid.[5] In the New Kingdom, there was a vizier for Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt each.[7]

Installation of the Vizier

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

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

List of viziers

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Early Dynastic period

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Viziers of the Early Dynastic period
VizierPharaohDynastyComments
RekhitNarmer1st DynastyRetired to look after the estates of Neithhotep in their older years
SaisetHor-Aha1st DynastyServed as administrator of the Memphite region
AmkaDjer, Djet and Merneith's regency1st DynastyServed as administrator of Her-sekhenti-dju. Retired as overseer of Royal Estates in the Delta.
SewadjkaDjet and Den1st DynastyRetired as overseer of Her-sekhenti-dju, one of the most prestigious offices of the 1st Dynasty
HemakaDen1st DynastyServed as royal sealbearer and chancellor. First non-royal to hold such a position. First dual chancellor over Her-sekhenti-dju and Her-tepi-khet.
Henu-KaSemerkhet and Qa'a1st DynastyServed both Pharaohs and supported Qa'a in his early reign
MenkaNynetjer?2nd DynastyEarliest known holder of the simplified direct title known as 'Tjaty'

Old Kingdom and First Intermediate Period

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Viziers of the Old Kingdom
VizierPharaohDynastyComments
Kagemni ISneferu4th DynastyPurported author of the Instructions of Kagemni. Not attested in contemporary sources.
NefermaatKhufu4th DynastySon of Sneferu and father of Hemiunu
HemiunuKhufu4th DynastyNefermaat's son, believed to have designed Khufu's pyramid
KawabKhufu4th DynastyEldest son and vizier of Khufu
AnkhhafKhafre4th DynastySon of Sneferu
Nefermaat IIKhafre4th DynastyNephew of Nefermaat the Elder, a son of Nefertkau I; a grandson of Sneferu
Minkhaf IKhafre4th DynastySon of Khufu, vizier under Khafre
Khufukhaf IKhafre4th DynastySon of Khufu, vizier under Khafre
NikaureLikely Menkaure4th DynastySon of Khafre
AnkhmareMenkaure4th DynastySon of Khafre
DuaenreMenkaure4th DynastySon of Khafre, vizier during the late 4th dynasty
NebemakhetMenkaure4th DynastySon of Queen Meresankh III
Iunmin IPossibly Menkaure4th DynastyPossibly son of Khafre, vizier during the late 4th dynasty
Babaef IIShepseskaf4th DynastyLikely a grandson of Khafre
Kanefer 4th or 5th Dynasty
Possibly SeshathotepPossibly Userkaf5th DynastyIt is not certain if Seshathetep held the titles of a vizier
SekhemkareUserkaf and Sahure5th DynastySon of Khafre and queen Hekenuhedjet
WerbaubaSahure5th Dynasty
WashptahNeferirkare Kakai5th Dynasty
MinneferNyuserre Ini5th Dynasty
PtahshepsesNyuserre Ini5th DynastyBecame the son-in-law of Nyuserre Ini some time after his ascension to the throne.
Seshemnefer IIINyuserre Ini5th Dynasty
KayPossibly Nyuserre Ini5th Dynasty
PehenuikaiPossibly Nyuserre Ini5th Dynasty
Ptahhotep DesherMenkauhor Kaiu and/or Djedkare Isesi5th Dynasty
Rashepses Djedkare Isesi 5th Dynasty
PtahhotepLikely Djedkare Isesi5th Dynasty
Ptahhotep IDjedkare Isesi5th DynastyPurported author of The Maxims of Ptahhotep
AkhethotepDjedkare Isesi5th DynastySon of Ptahhotep I
Senedjemib IntiDjedkare Isesi5th Dynasty
Senedjemib MehiDjedkare Isesi and Unas5th Dynastypossible son-in-law of Unas (or Djedkare Isesi), vizier during the early 6th dynasty
Ptahhotep IIUnas5th Dynasty
Akhethetep HemiUnas5th Dynasty
IhyUnas5th Dynasty
NiankhbaUnas5th Dynasty
Sekhem-ankh-Ptah5th or 6th DynastyDating uncertain, may have been the son-in-law of a Pharaoh
NefersheshemreTeti6th Dynasty
KagemniTeti6th Dynastyson-in-law of Teti
MererukaTeti6th Dynastyson-in-law of Teti
KhentikaTeti6th Dynasty
MehuTeti or Pepi I6th Dynasty
AnkhmahorTeti – Pepi I6th Dynasty
MerefnebefPossibly Userkare6th DynastyMerefnebef was also named Fefi and Unasankh
HeriTeti – Pepi I6th DynastyMay have participated in the assassination of Teti
MerytetiPepi I6th Dynastygrandson of Teti, son of Mereruka
Iunmin IIPepi I6th Dynasty
NebetPepi I6th DynastyFirst woman appointed vizier, mother-in-law of Pepi I
Inenek-IntiPepi I6th DynastyConsort of Pepi I
TjetjuPepi I6th Dynasty
QarPepi I6th Dynasty
DjauPepi I6th Dynastybrother-in-law of Pepi I, son of Nebet
RawerPepi I6th Dynasty
WeniMerenre Nemtyemsaf I6th DynastyLikely the same person as vizier Neferwenmeryre
TetiPepi II6th Dynasty
Hemre, Isi6th or 8th Dynasty
Pepyankh the Middle6th or 8th Dynasty
Pepy-ankh the black 6th or 8th Dynasty
ShemayNeferkaure and Neferkauhor8th Dynastyson-in-law of Neferkauhor, nomarch of Coptos, later vizier
IdyPossibly Neferirkare8th Dynastyson of Shemay

Middle Kingdom and Second Intermediate Period

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Viziers of the Middle Kingdom and Second Intermediate Period
VizierPharaohDynastyComments
BebiMentuhotep II11th Dynasty
DagiMentuhotep II11th Dynasty
AmenemhatMentuhotep IV11th DynastyLater succeeded Mentuhotep IV on the throne as Amenemhat I, first Pharaoh of the 12th Dynasty
IpiAmenemhat I12th Dynasty
IntefiqerAmenemhat I
Senusret I		12th DynastyHe is indicated in the Wadi el-Hudi as being involved in military missions in Lower Nubia.[5]
SenusretSenusret I
Amenemhat II		12th Dynasty
AmenyAmenemhat II12th Dynasty
AmenemhatankhPossibly Amenemhat II[8]12th Dynasty
SieseAmenemhat II12th Dynasty
NebitSenusret III12th Dynasty
Khnumhotep IIISenusret III12th Dynasty
KhetiAmenemhat III12th Dynasty
AmenyAmenemhat III12th Dynasty[9]
ZamonthAmenemhat III12th Dynasty[9]
Senewosret-Ankh12th-13th Dynasty
Khenmes[9]13th Dynasty
AnkhuKhendjer13th Dynasty
Resseneb13th dynastySon of Ankhu[10]
Iymeru13th DynastySon of Ankhu[10]
Neferkare IymeruSobekhotep IV13th Dynasty
Sobka called Bebi[11]13th Dynasty
Ibiaw[11]Wahibre Ibiau or Merneferre Ay13th Dynasty
Sonbhenaf[11]Wahibre Ibiau or Merneferre Ay, or Sekhemre Sementawy Djehutyuncertain
Aya[11]Ini I13th DynastyAya was Governor of El Kab before being appointed vizier in year 1 of Ini I, as reported in the Juridical Stela
Ayameru[11]13th DynastyAyameru was the younger son of Aya and succeeded him in office, as reported in the Juridical Stela

New Kingdom

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Viziers of the New Kingdom
VizierPharaohDynastyComments
TetineferAhmose I?18th DynastyVizier of the North (Memphis)
ImhotepThutmose I18th DynastyVizier of the South (Thebes)
AakheperresenebThutmose I18th DynastyVizier of the South
Amethu called AhmoseThutmose II, Hatshepsut, Thutmose III18th DynastyVizier of the South
UseramenHatshepsut, Thutmose III18th DynastyVizier of the South
NeferwebenThutmose III18th DynastyLikely Vizier of the North
RekhmireThutmose III18th DynastyVizier of the South
Amenemipet called PairyAmenhotep II, Thutmose IV18th DynastyVizier of the South
SenyThutmose IV18th DynastyVizier of the South
HepuThutmose IV18th DynastyVizier of the South
ThutmoseAmenhotep III18th DynastyVizier of the North
PtahmoseAmenhotep III18th DynastyVizier of the South
Amenhotep-HuyAmenhotep III18th DynastyVizier of the North
AperelAmenhotep III, Akhenaten18th DynastyVizier of the North
RamoseAmenhotep III, Akhenaten18th DynastyVizier of the South
NakhtpaatenAkhenaten18th DynastyVizier of the South
PentuTutankhamun18th DynastyVizier of the South
UsermontuTutankhamun18th DynastyVizier of the South
AyTutankhamun18th DynastyVizier of the South, later succeeded Tutankhamun on the throne as Ay
Setisome time between Amenhotep III and Ramesses I18th DynastyHis title appears on monuments of his son Ramesses I[12]
ParamessuHoremheb18th DynastyLater succeeded Horemheb on the throne as Ramesses I, first Pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty
SetiRamesses I19th DynastyWas already the heir apparent to his father Ramesses I when made vizer. Later succeeded Ramesses I on the throne as Seti I
NebamunHoremheb, Ramesses I, Seti I, Ramesses II18th Dynasty, 19th DynastyVizier of the North
PaserSeti I, Ramesses II19th DynastyVizier of the South
NehiRamesses II19th DynastyVizier of the South
KhayRamesses II19th DynastyVizier of the South, ca. Year 27–45
ThutmoseRamesses II19th DynastyVizier of the South, ca. Year 45–50.
Prehotep IRamesses II19th DynastyVizier of the North in ca year 40.
Prehotep IIRamesses II19th DynastyVizier of the North in ca year 50.
NeferronpetRamesses II19th DynastyVizier of the South in ca year 50
PanehesyMerneptah19th DynastyVizier of the South
PensekhmetMerneptah19th DynastyVizier of the South, Year 8
MerysekhmetMerneptah19th DynastyVizier of the North, Year 3?
AmenmoseSeti II and Amenmesse19th DynastyVizier of the South
KhaemtirSeti II and Amenmesse19th DynastyVizier of the South
ParaemhebSeti II and Amenmesse19th DynastyVizier of the South
Hori IISeti II, Siptah, Tausret, Sethnakht and Ramesses III19th Dynasty
Iuty20th DynastyVizier of the North?
Nehi?Ramesses III20th Dynasty
HewernefRamesses III20th DynastyVizier of the South
ToRamesses III20th DynastyVizier of the South
NeferronpeRamesses IV to Ramesses VI20th DynastyVizier
NehyRamesses VI20th DynastyVizier, son of Neferronpe
Mentehetef (Montu-hir-hetef)Ramesses IX20th DynastyVizier of the South
WenneferRamesses IX20th DynastyVizier of the South
Nebmarenakht also called Sahta-neferRamesses IX, Ramesses X and Ramesses XI20th DynastyVizier of the South
KhaemwasetRamesses IX20th DynastyVizier of the South
Nebmarenakht also called Sahta-nefer (again)Ramesses IX20th DynastyVizier of the South
HerihorRamesses XI20th DynastyVizier of the South

Third Intermediate Period

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Viziers of the South[13]
VizierPharaohYearDynastyComments
HerihorSmendesc. 1075 BC21st DynastyWas also the High Priest of Amun at Thebes
Pinedjem ISmendesc. 1070 BC21st DynastyWas also the High Priest of Amun at Thebes
AmenhirpameshaPsusennes Ic. 1040 BC21st Dynasty
Neseramun ASiamunc. 960 BC21st DynastySon of Nebneteru II a Letter Writer to the Pharaoh
Padimut AShoshenq Ic. 930 BC22nd-23rd DynastyVizier of the South
Ia-oOsorkon Ic. 900 BC22nd-23rd Dynasty
RudpamutTakelot Ic. 880 BC22nd-23rd Dynasty
HorTakelot Ic. 876 BC22nd-23rd Dynasty
HoriTakelot IIc. 845 BC22nd-23rd DynastySon of Iutjek?
Nespakheshuty ATakelot IIc. 835 BC22nd-23rd Dynasty
Harsiese DShoshenq IIIc. 825 BC22nd-23rd Dynasty
Hor VIIIShoshenq IIIc. 820 BC22nd-23rd Dynasty
PentyefankhPedubast Ic. 815 BC22nd-23rd Dynasty
Harsiese EShoshenq III / Shoshenq IVc. 790 BC22nd-23rd Dynasty
Djedkhonsefankh EShoshenq III / Osorkon IIIc. 780 BC22nd-23rd Dynasty
Nakhtefmut CShoshenq III / Osorkon IIIc. 775 BC22nd-23rd Dynasty
Hor XOsorkon IIIc. 770 BC22nd-23rd DynastySon of Nakhtefmut C
PamiuOsorkon IIIc. 765 BC22nd-23rd DynastyVizier of the South
PakharuTakelot IIIc. 760 BC22nd-23rd DynastySon of Pamiu
Ankh-OsorkonRudamunc. 755 BC22nd-23rd Dynasty
PediamonetIuput IIc. 750 BC22nd-23rd DynastySon of Pamiu
Harsiese FIuput IIc. 745 BC22nd-23rd Dynasty
Nesmin AIuput IIc. 740 BC22nd-23rd DynastySon of Harsiese F
Ankh-horIuput IIc. 730 BC22nd-23rd Dynasty
Nespakheshuty BIuput IIc. 725 BC22nd-23rd Dynasty
PedieseIuput IIc. 720 BC22nd-23rd DynastySon of Harsiese F?
Paytjauembastet?25th Dynasty (?)Vizier of the South [14]
Khamhor A?25th DynastyVizier of the South, Son of Harsiese F
Harsiese G Pahrer?25th DynastyVizier of the South, Son of Khamhor A
Nesmin B?25th DynastyVizier of the South, Son of Khamhor A
Mentuhotep?25th DynastyVizier of the North
Nespaqashuty CShebitku25th DynastyVizier of the South
Harsiese R?25th DynastyVizier of the North
NespameduTaharqa25th DynastyVizier of the South, Son of Nespaqashuty C
Nespaqashuty D?25th-26th DynastyVizier of the South, buried in TT312, Son of Nespademu
Djedkare?25th-26th DynastyVizier of the North

Late Period

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Viziers of the Late Period[15]
VizierPharaohDynastyComments
SasobekPsamtik I25th-26th DynastyVizier of the North
NasekheperensekhmetPsamtik I26th DynastyVizier of the North
BakenrenefPsamtik I26th DynastyVizier of the North
AnkhwenneferPsamtik I26th DynastyVizier of the North
Iry26th DynastyVizier of the South
Djedwebasettiuefankh26th DynastyVizier of the South
IufaaPsamtik I26th DynastyVizier of the North, father of Gemenefhorbak
GemenefhorbakPsamtik I26th DynastyVizier of the North
Harsomtusemhat26th DynastyVizier of the North
Psamtek-MeryneitAmasis II26th DynastyVizier of the North
PasherientaihetAmasis II26th DynastyVizier of the North
Horsiese26th DynastyVizier of the North
PsamtiksenebNectanebo II30th Dynasty

Ptolemaic Period

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Vizier Pharaoh Dynasty Comments
Berenice II Ptolemy III Euergetes Ptolemaic dynasty Wife of the Pharaoh, title attested at the Temple of Philae and Canopus Decree.[16]
Cleopatra I Syra Ptolemy V Epiphanes

Ptolemy VI Philometor

 Ptolemaic dynasty Wife of the Ptolemy V, later regent for Ptolemy VI; title attested at the Temple of Edfu.[17]

See also

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References

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  1. ↑ Shaw, Ian (2002). The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt. Oxford University Press. p. 104. ISBN 978-0-19-280293-4.
  2. ↑ 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. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  3. ↑ M. Heimlich, “Ancient Egyptian Literature”, vol.2, pp.21ff.[date missing]
  4. ↑ Goddard, J (2012). Public Health Entomology. Starkville: CRC Press.
  5. 1 2 3 Ancient Egyptian administration. Moreno Garcia, Juan Carlos. Leiden, The Netherlands. 2013. ISBN 9789004249523. OCLC 849248179.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link)
  6. ↑ Archived September 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ↑ Jane Bingham, Fiona Chandler, Jane Chisholm, Gill Harvey, Lisa Miles, Struan Reid, and Sam Taplin "The Usborne Internet-Linked Encyclopedia of the Ancient World" page 80 [clarification needed][date missing]
  8. ↑ W. Grajetzki: Court Officials of the Egyptian Middle Kingdom, London 2009, ISBN 978-0-7156-3745-6, p. 169
  9. 1 2 3 Grajetzki: Court Officials, 169
  10. 1 2 Grajetzki: Court Officials, 170
  11. 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)
  12. ↑ Dodson, Aidan; Hilton, Dyan (2004). The Complete Royal Families of Ancient Egypt. London: Thames & Hudson. ISBN 978-0-500-05128-3., p.174
  13. ↑ Kitchen, Kenneth A. The Third Intermediate Period in Egypt, 1100-650 B.C. (Book & Supplement) Aris & Phillips. 1986, Table 15, pg 483
  14. ↑ Mohamed Faik, Mohamed Khater: Unpublished Funerary Stela of pA-sn-n-xnsw in The Egyptian Museum (JE 99182 – SR 5/14988), in SHEDET Issue Nu. 13 (2024), 427–429 DOI: 10.21608/shedet.2024.258963.1228
  15. ↑ "Viziers by Anneke Bart". Archived from the original on 2016-07-19. Retrieved 2016-07-07.
  16. ↑ Sewell-Lasater, Tara (2020). Becoming Kleopatra: Ptolemaic Royal Marriage, Incest, and the Path to the Female Rule. University of Houston. pp. 166, 456.
  17. ↑ Sewell-Lasater, Tara (2020). Becoming Kleopatra: Ptolemaic Royal Marriage, Incest, and the Path to the Female Rule. University of Houston. pp. 245, 456.
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