Vizier (Ancient Egypt)

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
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

Main article: Installation of the Vizier

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

Early Dynastic period

Viziers of the Early Dynastic period
Vizier Pharaoh Dynasty Comments
Rekhit Narmer 1st Dynasty Retired to look after the estates of Neithhotep in their older years
Saiset Hor-Aha 1st Dynasty Served as administrator of the Memphite region
Amka Djer, Djet and Merneith's regency 1st Dynasty Served as administrator of Her-sekhenti-dju. Retired as overseer of Royal Estates in the Delta.
Sewadjka Djet and Den 1st Dynasty Retired as overseer of Her-sekhenti-dju, one of the most prestigious offices of the 1st Dynasty
Hemaka Den 1st Dynasty Served 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-Ka Semerkhet and Qa'a 1st Dynasty Served both Pharaohs and supported Qa'a in his early reign
Menka Nynetjer? 2nd Dynasty Earliest known holder of the simplified direct title known as 'Tjaty'

Old Kingdom and First Intermediate Period

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 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 I; a grandson of Sneferu
Minkhaf I Khafre 4th Dynasty Son of Khufu, vizier under Khafre
Khufukhaf I Khafre 4th Dynasty Son of Khufu, vizier under Khafre
Nikaure Likely 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 Possibly Menkaure 4th Dynasty Possibly son of Khafre, vizier during the late 4th dynasty
Babaef II Shepseskaf 4th Dynasty Likely a grandson of Khafre
Kanefer 4th or 5th Dynasty
Possibly Seshathotep Possibly Userkaf 5th Dynasty It is not certain if Seshathetep held the titles of a vizier
Sekhemkare Userkaf and Sahure 5th Dynasty Son of Khafre and queen Hekenuhedjet
Werbauba Sahure 5th Dynasty
Washptah Neferirkare Kakai 5th Dynasty
Minnefer Nyuserre Ini 5th Dynasty
Ptahshepses Nyuserre Ini 5th Dynasty Became the son-in-law of Nyuserre Ini some time after his ascension to the throne.
Seshemnefer III Nyuserre Ini 5th Dynasty
Kay Possibly Nyuserre Ini 5th Dynasty
Pehenuikai Possibly Nyuserre Ini 5th Dynasty
Ptahhotep Desher Menkauhor Kaiu and/or Djedkare Isesi 5th Dynasty
Rashepses Djedkare Isesi 5th Dynasty
Ptahhotep Likely Djedkare Isesi 5th Dynasty
Ptahhotep I Djedkare Isesi 5th Dynasty Purported author of The Maxims of Ptahhotep
Akhethotep Djedkare Isesi 5th Dynasty Son of Ptahhotep I
Senedjemib Inti Djedkare Isesi 5th Dynasty
Senedjemib Mehi Djedkare Isesi and Unas 5th Dynasty possible son-in-law of Unas (or Djedkare Isesi), vizier during the early 6th dynasty
Ptahhotep II Unas 5th Dynasty
Akhethetep Hemi Unas 5th Dynasty
Ihy Unas 5th Dynasty
Niankhba Unas 5th Dynasty
Sekhem-ankh-Ptah 5th or 6th Dynasty Dating uncertain, may have been the son-in-law of a Pharaoh
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 or Pepi I 6th Dynasty
Ankhmahor Teti – Pepi I 6th Dynasty
Merefnebef Possibly Userkare 6th Dynasty Merefnebef was also named Fefi and Unasankh
Heri Teti – Pepi I 6th Dynasty May have participated in the assassination of Teti
Meryteti Pepi I 6th Dynasty grandson of Teti, son of Mereruka
Iunmin II Pepi I 6th Dynasty
Nebet Pepi I 6th Dynasty First woman appointed vizier, mother-in-law of Pepi I
Inenek-Inti Pepi I 6th Dynasty Consort 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
Weni Merenre Nemtyemsaf I 6th Dynasty Likely the same person as vizier Neferwenmeryre
Teti Pepi II 6th Dynasty
Hemre, Isi 6th or 8th Dynasty
Pepyankh the Middle 6th or 8th Dynasty
Pepy-ankh the black 6th or 8th Dynasty
Shemay Neferkaure and Neferkauhor 8th Dynasty son-in-law of Neferkauhor, nomarch of Coptos, later vizier
Idy Possibly 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 Later succeeded Mentuhotep IV on the throne as Amenemhat I, first Pharaoh of the 12th Dynasty
Ipi Amenemhat I 12th Dynasty
Intefiqer Amenemhat I
Senusret I		 12th Dynasty He is indicated in the Wadi el-Hudi as being involved in military missions in Lower Nubia.[5]
Senusret Senusret I
Amenemhat II		 12th Dynasty
Ameny Amenemhat II 12th Dynasty
Amenemhatankh Possibly Amenemhat II[8] 12th Dynasty
Siese Amenemhat II 12th Dynasty
Nebit Senusret III 12th Dynasty
Khnumhotep III Senusret III 12th Dynasty
Kheti Amenemhat III 12th Dynasty
Ameny Amenemhat III 12th Dynasty [9]
Zamonth Amenemhat III 12th Dynasty [9]
Senewosret-Ankh 12th-13th Dynasty
Khenmes [9] 13th Dynasty
Ankhu Khendjer 13th Dynasty
Resseneb 13th dynasty Son of Ankhu[10]
Iymeru 13th Dynasty Son of Ankhu[10]
Neferkare Iymeru Sobekhotep IV 13th Dynasty
Sobka called Bebi[11] 13th Dynasty
Ibiaw[11] Wahibre Ibiau or Merneferre Ay 13th Dynasty
Sonbhenaf[11] Wahibre Ibiau or Merneferre Ay, or Sekhemre Sementawy Djehuty uncertain
Aya[11] Ini I 13th Dynasty Aya was Governor of El Kab before being appointed vizier in year 1 of Ini I, as reported in the Juridical Stela
Ayameru[11] 13th Dynasty Ayameru was the younger son of Aya and succeeded him in office, as reported in the Juridical Stela

New Kingdom

Viziers of the New Kingdom
Vizier Pharaoh Dynasty Comments
Tetinefer Ahmose I? 18th Dynasty Vizier of the North (Memphis)
Imhotep Thutmose I 18th Dynasty Vizier of the South (Thebes)
Aakheperreseneb Thutmose I 18th Dynasty Vizier of the South
Amethu called Ahmose Thutmose II, Hatshepsut, Thutmose III 18th Dynasty Vizier of the South
Useramen Hatshepsut, Thutmose III 18th Dynasty Vizier of the South
Neferweben Thutmose III 18th Dynasty Likely Vizier of the North
Rekhmire Thutmose III 18th Dynasty Vizier of the South
Amenemipet called Pairy Amenhotep II, Thutmose IV 18th Dynasty Vizier of the South
Seny Thutmose IV 18th Dynasty Vizier of the South
Hepu Thutmose IV 18th Dynasty Vizier of the South
Thutmose Amenhotep III 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 Tutankhamun 18th Dynasty Vizier of the South
Usermontu Tutankhamun 18th Dynasty Vizier of the South
Ay Tutankhamun 18th Dynasty Vizier of the South, later succeeded Tutankhamun on the throne as Ay
Seti some time between Amenhotep III and Ramesses I 18th Dynasty His title appears on monuments of his son Ramesses I[12]
Paramessu Horemheb 18th Dynasty Later succeeded Horemheb on the throne as Ramesses I, first Pharaoh of the 19th Dynasty
Seti Ramesses I 19th Dynasty Was already the heir apparent to his father Ramesses I when made vizer. Later succeeded Ramesses I on the throne as Seti I
Nebamun Horemheb, Ramesses I, Seti I, Ramesses II 18th Dynasty, 19th Dynasty Vizier of the North
Paser Seti 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 Merneptah 19th Dynasty Vizier of the South
Pensekhmet Merneptah 19th Dynasty Vizier of the South, Year 8
Merysekhmet Merneptah 19th Dynasty Vizier of the North, Year 3?
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
Hori II Seti II, Siptah, Tausret, Sethnakht and Ramesses III 19th Dynasty
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
Neferronpe Ramesses IV to Ramesses VI 20th Dynasty Vizier
Nehy Ramesses VI 20th Dynasty Vizier, son of Neferronpe
Mentehetef (Montu-hir-hetef) Ramesses IX 20th Dynasty Vizier of the South
Wennefer Ramesses IX 20th Dynasty Vizier of the South
Nebmarenakht also called Sahta-nefer Ramesses IX, Ramesses X and Ramesses XI 20th Dynasty Vizier of the South
Khaemwaset Ramesses IX 20th Dynasty Vizier of the South
Nebmarenakht also called Sahta-nefer (again) Ramesses IX 20th Dynasty Vizier of the South
Herihor Ramesses XI 20th Dynasty Vizier of the South

Third Intermediate Period

Viziers of the South[13]
Vizier Pharaoh Year Dynasty Comments
Herihor Smendes c. 1075 BC 21st Dynasty Was also the High Priest of Amun at Thebes
Pinedjem I Smendes c. 1070 BC 21st Dynasty Was also the High Priest of Amun at Thebes
Amenhirpamesha Psusennes I c. 1040 BC 21st Dynasty
Neseramun A Siamun c. 960 BC 21st Dynasty Son of Nebneteru II a Letter Writer to the Pharaoh
Padimut A Shoshenq I c. 930 BC 22nd-23rd Dynasty Vizier of the South
Ia-o Osorkon I c. 900 BC 22nd-23rd Dynasty
Rudpamut Takelot I c. 880 BC 22nd-23rd Dynasty
Hor Takelot I c. 876 BC 22nd-23rd Dynasty
Hori Takelot II c. 845 BC 22nd-23rd Dynasty Son of Iutjek?
Nespakheshuty A Takelot II c. 835 BC 22nd-23rd Dynasty
Harsiese D Shoshenq III c. 825 BC 22nd-23rd Dynasty
Hor VIII Shoshenq III c. 820 BC 22nd-23rd Dynasty
Pentyefankh Pedubast I c. 815 BC 22nd-23rd Dynasty
Harsiese E Shoshenq III / Shoshenq IV c. 790 BC 22nd-23rd Dynasty
Djedkhonsefankh E Shoshenq III / Osorkon III c. 780 BC 22nd-23rd Dynasty
Nakhtefmut C Shoshenq III / Osorkon III c. 775 BC 22nd-23rd Dynasty
Hor X Osorkon III c. 770 BC 22nd-23rd Dynasty Son of Nakhtefmut C
Pamiu Osorkon III c. 765 BC 22nd-23rd Dynasty Vizier of the South
Pakharu Takelot III c. 760 BC 22nd-23rd Dynasty Son of Pamiu
Ankh-Osorkon Rudamun c. 755 BC 22nd-23rd Dynasty
Pediamonet Iuput II c. 750 BC 22nd-23rd Dynasty Son of Pamiu
Harsiese F Iuput II c. 745 BC 22nd-23rd Dynasty
Nesmin A Iuput II c. 740 BC 22nd-23rd Dynasty Son of Harsiese F
Ankh-hor Iuput II c. 730 BC 22nd-23rd Dynasty
Nespakheshuty B Iuput II c. 725 BC 22nd-23rd Dynasty
Pediese Iuput II c. 720 BC 22nd-23rd Dynasty Son of Harsiese F?
Paytjauembastet ? 25th Dynasty (?) Vizier of the South [14]
Khamhor A ? 25th Dynasty Vizier of the South, Son of Harsiese F
Harsiese G Pahrer ? 25th Dynasty Vizier of the South, Son of Khamhor A
Nesmin B ? 25th Dynasty Vizier of the South, Son of Khamhor A
Mentuhotep ? 25th Dynasty Vizier of the North
Nespaqashuty C Shebitku 25th Dynasty Vizier of the South
Harsiese R ? 25th Dynasty Vizier of the North
Nespamedu Taharqa 25th Dynasty Vizier of the South, Son of Nespaqashuty C
Nespaqashuty D ? 25th-26th Dynasty Vizier of the South, buried in TT312, Son of Nespademu
Djedkare ? 25th-26th Dynasty Vizier of the North

Late Period

Viziers of the Late Period[15]
Vizier Pharaoh Dynasty Comments
Sasobek Psamtik I 25th-26th Dynasty Vizier of the North
Nasekheperensekhmet Psamtik I 26th Dynasty Vizier of the North
Bakenrenef Psamtik I 26th Dynasty Vizier of the North
Ankhwennefer Psamtik I 26th Dynasty Vizier of the North
Iry 26th Dynasty Vizier of the South
Djedwebasettiuefankh 26th Dynasty Vizier of the South
Iufaa Psamtik I 26th Dynasty Vizier of the North, father of Gemenefhorbak
Gemenefhorbak Psamtik I 26th Dynasty Vizier of the North
Harsomtusemhat 26th Dynasty Vizier of the North
Psamtek-Meryneit Amasis II 26th Dynasty Vizier of the North
Pasherientaihet Amasis II 26th Dynasty Vizier of the North
Horsiese 26th Dynasty Vizier of the North
Psamtikseneb Nectanebo II 30th Dynasty

Ptolemaic Period

Vizier Pharaoh Dynasty Comments
Berenice II Ptolemy III Euergetes Ptolemaic dynasty Wife of the Pharaoh, and possibly his co-regent;[16] title attested at the Temple of Philae and Canopus Decree.[17]
Cleopatra I Syra Ptolemy V Epiphanes

Ptolemy VI Philometor

Ptolemaic dynasty Wife of the Ptolemy V, later regent for Ptolemy VI; possibly co-ruler with them;[18][19] title attested at the Temple of Edfu.[20]

See also

References

  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.
  4. ^ Goddard, J (2012). Public Health Entomology. Starkville: CRC Press.
  5. ^ a b c 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. ^ [1] 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
  8. ^ W. Grajetzki: Court Officials of the Egyptian Middle Kingdom, London 2009, ISBN 978-0-7156-3745-6, p. 169
  9. ^ a b c Grajetzki: Court Officials, 169
  10. ^ a b Grajetzki: Court Officials, 170
  11. ^ a b c d e 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 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. ^ Berenice did have titles of "female Horus" and "female Pharaoh", but was not included in dating protocols as co-ruler to her husband. See, Sewell-Lasater, Tara, Becoming Kleopatra: Ptolemaic Royal Marriage, Incest, and the Path to the Female Rule, University of Houston, 2020, pp. 187–189. However she is considered Pharaoh by Sally Ann Ashton, see Ashton, Sally Ann, The Last Queens of Egypt: Cleopatra's Royal House, Routledge 2014, pp. 112–113.
  17. ^ Sewell-Lasater, Tara, Becoming Kleopatra: Ptolemaic Royal Marriage, Incest, and the Path to the Female Rule, University of Houston, 2020, p. 456.
  18. ^ While Cleopatra did have titles like "female Horus" and "female Pharaoh", she was not included in dating protocols as co-Pharaoh during her husband's reign, see Sewell-Lasater, Tara, Becoming Kleopatra: Ptolemaic Royal Marriage, Incest, and the Path to the Female Rule, University of Houston, 2020, pp. 245–246. However she is considered Pharaoh by Sally Ann Ashton, see Ashton, Sally Ann, The Last Queens of Egypt: Cleopatra's Royal House, Routledge 2014, pp. 112–113.
  19. ^ She is ambiguously classified as both "regent and co-ruler"; see Sewell-Lasater Tara, Becoming Kleopatra: Ptolemaic Royal Marriage, Incest, and the Path to the Female Rule, University of Houston, 2020, p. 246.
  20. ^ Sewell-Lasater, Tara, Becoming Kleopatra: Ptolemaic Royal Marriage, Incest, and the Path to the Female Rule, University of Houston, 2020, p. 456.
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