Vizier (transliteration: ṯꜥty ) was an ancient Egyptian occupational title. The vizier was the highest official in ancient Egypt to serve the Pharaoh during the Old , Middle , and New Kingdoms .[1] 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.[2] The viziers thus acted as the pharaoh's highest sealbearer . 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.[3]
History [ ]
Early depiction's of the title may be seen on the Narmer Palette and Narmer Macehead in a primitive form (ṯt ).[4] The earliest known holder of the title was Menka of the Second Dynasty . During the Fourth Dynasty and early Fifth 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.[5] 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.[3]
In the New Kingdom, there was a vizier for Upper and Lower Egypt each. The title was by then referred to as Vizier of Upper/Lower Egypt or Overseer of Upper/Lower Egypt . The New Kingdom office of Viceroy of Kush was effectively a vizier over the Nubian territories. The Vizier was often titled Overseer of the Northern Lands with regards to the Viceroy, who was titled Overseer of the Southern Lands .
The Instruction of Rekhmire ("Installation of the Vizier"), a New Kingdom text, defines many of the duties of the vizier, and lays down codes of behavior and traits 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
Menka
Nynetjer (?)
2nd Dynasty
Earliest known holder of the title
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 I ; 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
Seshathotep Heti
Userkaf
4th 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
Sahure and Neferirkare Kakai
5th Dynasty
Minnefer
Nyuserre Ini I
5th Dynasty
Ptahshepses
Nyuserre Ini I
5th Dynasty
Became the son-in-law of Nyuserre Ini some time after his ascension to the throne.
Kay
Nyuserre Ini I
5th Dynasty
Pehenuikai
Nyuserre Ini I
5th Dynasty
Ptahhotep Desher
Menkauhor Kaiu or Djedkare Isesi
5th Dynasty
Ptahhotep
Djedkare Isesi
5th Dynasty
Seshemnefer (III)
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
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 king.
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
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
Nemtyemsaf I
6th Dynasty
Likely the same person as vizier Neferwenmeryre
Teti
Pepi II
6th Dynasty
Shemai
Neferkaure - Neferkauhor Khuwyhapi
7th and 8th Dynasties
son-in-law of Neferkauhor , nomarch of Coptos, later vizier
Idy
Neferirkare (?)
7th and 8th Dynasties
son of Shemay
Middle Kingdom and Second Intermediate Period [ ]
Viziers of the Middle Kingdom and Second Intermediate Period
Vizier
Pharaoh
Dynasty
Comments
Babi
Mentuhotep II
11th Dynasty
Dagi
Mentuhotep II
11th Dynasty
Amenemhat I
Mentuhotep IV
11th Dynasty
He later became king as Amenemhat I, first Pharaoh of the 12th Dynasty
Ipy
Amenemhat I
12th Dynasty
Intef-Iqer
Amenemhat I Senusret I
12th Dynasty
He is indicated in the Wadi el-Hudi as being involved in military missions in Lower Nubia.[3]
Senusret
Senusret I Amenemhat II
12th Dynasty
Ameny
Amenemhat II
12th Dynasty
Amenemhat-Ankh
Amenemhat II (?)[6]
12th Dynasty
Saiset
Amenemhat II
12th Dynasty
Nebit
Senusret III
12th Dynasty
Khnumhotep III
Senusret III
12th Dynasty
Khety
Amenemhat III
12th Dynasty
Ameny
Amenemhat III
12th Dynasty
[6]
Simentu
Amenemhat III
12th Dynasty
[6]
Senusret-Ankh
End 12th Dynasty Beginning 13th Dynasty
Khenmose
[6]
13th Dynasty
Ankhu
Khendjer
13th Dynasty
Resseneb
13th dynasty
Son of Ankhu[7]
Iymeru
13th Dynasty
Son of Ankhu[7]
Neferkare Iymeru
Sobekhotep IV
13th Dynasty
Sebka-Bebi [8]
13th Dynasty
Ibiau [8]
Ibiau or Ay
13th Dynasty
Ay [8]
Merhotepre Ini II
13th Dynasty
Ay was Mayor of El Kab before being appointed Vizier in Year 1 of Ini II, as reported in the Juridical Stela .
Aymeru [8]
13th Dynasty
Aymeru was the younger son of Ay and succeeded him in office, as reported in the Juridical Stela .
Senebhenaf
Djehuty
16th Dynasty
Perhaps the son of Vizier Ibiau ;[8] father-in-law of Pharaoh Djehuty; father of Queen Mentuhotep .[9]
New Kingdom [ ]
Viziers of the New Kingdom
Vizier
Pharaoh
Dynasty
Comments
Tetinefer
Ahmose II ?
18th Dynasty
Vizier of the North (Memphis)
Imhotep
Thutmose I
18th Dynasty
Vizier of the South
Aakheperreseneb
Thutmose I
18th Dynasty
Vizier of the South
Aametju-Ahmose
Thutmose II , Hatshepsut , Thutmose III
18th Dynasty
Vizier of the South
Useramun
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
Amenemopet-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
Thutmose 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
Tutankhamun
18th Dynasty
Vizier of the South
Ay
Tutankhamun
18th Dynasty
Vizier of the South, succeeded Tutankhamen as Pharaoh
Usermontu
Ay and Horemheb
18th Dynasty
Vizier of the South
Seti the Elder (?)
Horemheb
18th Dynasty
Posssibly given the title posthumously when his son Ramesses I became pharaoh and may have never actually held the position.
Paramessu
Horemheb
18th Dynasty
Vizier of the North, later took the throne as Ramesses I .
Nebamun
Horemheb, Ramesses I , Seti I , Ramesses II
18th and 19th Dynasty
Vizier of the North
Seti I
Ramesses I
19th Dynasty
Hatiay
Seti I and Ramesses II
19th Dynasty
Vizier of the North?
Paser
Seti I and Ramesses II
19th Dynasty
Vizier of the South
Nehy I
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.
Parehotep I
Ramesses II
19th Dynasty
Vizier of the North in ca year 40.
Parehotep II
Ramesses II
19th Dynasty
Vizier of the North in ca year 50. Also served as High Priest of Ptah and Ra .
Neferrenpet
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?
Amenmose
Seti II
19th Dynasty
Vizier of the South
Khaemtir
Amenmesses
19th Dynasty
Vizier of the South, served as Viceroy of Kush under Merenptah.
Paraemheb
Seti II
19th Dynasty
Vizier of the South
Hori
Seti II, Siptah , Tausret , Setnakhte and Ramesses III
19th and 20th Dynasty
Iuty
20th Dynasty
Vizier of the North?
Nehy II (?)
Ramesses III
20th Dynasty
Hewernef
Ramesses III
20th Dynasty
Vizier of the South
To
Ramesses III
20th Dynasty
Vizier of the South
Neferrenpet
Ramesses IV to Ramesses VI
20th Dynasty
Vizier
Nehy III
Ramesses VI
20th Dynasty
Vizier, son of Neferronpe
Mentuherhetef
Ramesses IX
20th Dynasty
Vizier of the South
Wennefer
Ramesses IX
20th Dynasty
Vizier of the South
Nebmarenakhte-Sahtanefer
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 [ ]
Viziers of the South [10]
Vizier
Pharaoh
year
Dynasty
Comments
Herihor
Smendes I
c. 1075 B.C.
21st Dynasty
Pinedjem I
Smendes I
c. 1070 B.C.
21st Dynasty
Amenherpamesha
Psusennes I
c. 1040 B.C.
21st Dynasty
Neseramun (A)
Siamun
c. 960 B.C.
21st Dynasty
Son of Nebneteru (ii) a Letter Writer to the Pharaoh
Iuput
Shoshenq I
c. 940 B.C.
22nd Dynasty
Vizier of the South
Padimut (A)
Osorkon I
c. 920 B.C.
22nd Dynasty
Vizier of the South
Ia-o
Osorkon I
c. 900 B.C.
22nd Dynasty
Rudpamut
Takelot I
c. 880 B.C.
22nd Dynasty
Hor(y)
Takelot I
c. 876 B.C.
22nd Dynasty
Nimlot C
Osorkon II
c. 850 B.C.
22nd Dynasty
Vizier of the South
Hori
Takelot II
c. 845? B.C.
23rd Dynasty
Son of Iutjek?
Nespaqashuty A
Takelot II
c. 835 B.C.
23rd Dynasty
Horsaiset D
Shoshenq III
c. 825 B.C.
22nd Dynasty
Hor (viii)
Shoshenq III
c. 820 B.C.
22nd Dynasty
Pentyefankh
Pedubast I
c. 815 B.C.
23rd Dynasty
Horsaiset E
Shoshenq III and Shoshenq IV
c. 790 B.C.
22nd Dynasty
Horsaiset F
Pami
c. 785 B.C.
22nd Dynasty
Also served as High Priest of Ptah
Djedkhonsiuefankh E
Shoshenq III / Osorkon III
c. 780 B.C.
22nd-23rd Dynasty
Nakhtefmut C
Shoshenq III / Osorkon III
c. 775 B.C.
22nd-23rd Dynasty
Hor x
Osorkon III
c. 770 B.C.
22nd-23rd Dynasty
Son of Nakhtefmut C
Pamiu
Osorkon III
c. 765 B.C.
22nd-23rd Dynasty
Vizier of the South
Pakharu
Takelot III
c. 760 B.C.
22nd-23rd Dynasty
Son of Pamiu
Ankh-Osorkon
Rudamun
c. 755 B.C.
22nd-23rd Dynasty
Pediamonet
Iuput II
c. 750 B.C.
24th Dynasty
Son of Pamiu
Horsaiset G
Iuput II
c. 745 B.C.
24th Dynasty
Nesmin A
Iuput II
c. 740 B.C.
24th Dynasty
Son of Horsaiset F
Ankh-hor
Iuput II
c. 730 B.C.
24th Dynasty
Nespaqashuty B
Iuput II
c. 725 B.C.
24th Dynasty
Padiaset
Iuput II
c. 720 B.C.
24th Dynasty
Son of Horsaiset F?
Khaemhor A
?
25th Dynasty
Vizier of the South, Son of Horsaiset F
Horsaiset-Pahrer
?
25th Dynasty
Vizier of the South, Son of Khaemhor A
Nesmin B
?
25th Dynasty
Vizier of the South, Son of Khaemhor A
Mentuhotep
?
25th Dynasty
Vizier of the North
Nespaqashuty C
Shebitku
25th Dynasty
Vizier of the South
Nespamedu
Taharqa
25th Dynasty
Vizier of the South, Son of Nespaqashuty C
Nespaqashuty D
Tantamani and Psamtik I
c. 655 B.C.
25th-26th Dynasty
Vizier of the South, buried in TT312, Son of Nespademu
Djedkare
?
25th Dynasty
Vizier of the North
Late Period [ ]
Viziers of the Late Period [11]
Vizier
Pharaoh
Dynasty
Comments
Horsaiset H
Psamtik I
26th Dynasty
Vizier of the North, also served as High Priest of Ra
Sasobek
Psamtik I
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
Ahmose III
26th Dynasty
Vizier of the North
Pasherientaihet
Ahmose III
26th Dynasty
Vizier of the North
Psamtikseneb
Nectanebo II
30th Dynasty
See also [ ]
References [ ]
Bibliography [ ]
Goddard, J., 2012: Public Health Entomology . Starkville: CRC Press.
Grajetzki, W., 2009: Court Officials of the Egyptian Middle Kingdom . London.
Kitchen, K.A., 1986: The Third Intermediate Period in Egypt, 1100-650 B.C. (Book & Supplement) Aris & Phillips.
Lichtheim, M., 1976: Ancient Egyptian Literature, Volume II: The New Kingdom .
Moreno García, J.C., 2013: Ancient Egyptian administration . Leiden, The Netherlands.
Ryholt, K., 1997: The Political Situation in Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period c.1800-1550 B.C. Museum Tuscalanum Press.
Shaw, I., 2000: The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt . Oxford University Press.
Wilkinson, T.A.H., 2001: Early Dynastic Egypt Routledge, London.