Isabella

=Egyptian Society during the Ramesside period, Dynasties XIX and XX =

- Syllabus Content -  Map - Pharaohs - Past Questions - Oral Presentations -

Oral Presentation by Isabella
 2.2 roles of the vizier and members of the religious, administrative and military elites

__Sources Relating to the Viziers__

- provides examples for the clothing and dress of Viziers and lesser officials: the viziers wear the traditional dress of the vizier: usually depicted wearing long sheath-like garment that come up to the armpits held in place by narrow shoulder straps (garment was white - to symbolise impartiality); lesser officials wear shoulder length wigs and long billowy garments - shows the status of viziers - of the highest rank, answerable only to the Pharaoh: set apart by virtue of their spacing and their distinctive clothing
 * Source One - 'Dignitaries In Procession'**
 * What:** high officials of the court**:** viziers of the North and South identified on the far right**,** and officials of lesser significance //en masse// behind the viziers; vizier on the left holds the crook (symbol of rulership) and a ceremonial plumed fan ('badge of honour' carried by high diginitaries)
 * Found:** as yet unidentified private tomb in Western Thebes, Asasif Necropolis at Thebes
 * Now Found:** Museum of Egyptian Antiquities, Cairo
 * Creation of source - who and when:** creator unknown; 19th dynasty
 * Useful because:**


 * Source Two - 'Installation Of The Vizier'**

//'His majesty said to him: Look to the office of vizier, Watch over all that is done in it, Lo, it is the pillar for the whole land. Lo, being vizier, Lo, it is not sweet. Lo, it is bitter as gall. Lo, he is the copper that shields the gold of his maters house, Lo, he is not one who bends his face to magistrates and councillors. ... Lo, petitioners come from the South and the North, The whole land is eager for the counsel of the vizier; See to it that all is done according to law, That all is done exactly right, In giving a man his vindication. ... Lo, there is none who ignores his deeds. If he makes a mistake in deciding his case, And fails to reveal it One will not ignore what he did. ... Do not judge unfairly, The gods abhor partiality; This is an instruction, Plan to act accordingly. ... Lo, you succeed in doing this office by doing justice, Lo, doing justice is what is wanted in the actions of the vizier, Lo, the vizier is its true guardian since the time of god. ... He who does justice before all people, He is the vizier.//'

Original thought to have been composed by the reigning Pharaoh in the late Middle Kingdom (in 13th dynasty), text added to and changed over time through right up until the 19th dynasty. - reinforces the importance of the office of the vizier, superior position: '//he is not one who bends his face to magistrates and councillors' -// stresses the need for the vizier to be just and impartial, the enormous responsibility the vizier carries necessitates this: '//The gods abhor partiality'// and //'////you succeed in doing this office by doing justice, Lo, doing justice is what is wanted in the actions of the vizier// '
 * What:** ‘Regulation laid upon the vizier Rekhmire’ (the original found in the Vizier Rekhmire’s Tomb (Rekhmire - reigns of Thutmose III and Amenhotep II))
 * Found:** Tomb of vizier Paser (reigns of Seti I and Ramesses II), Theban Tomb no. 106 (text found in 3 other New Kingdom tombs, most well known the one in Rekhmire’s)
 * Now Found:** remains in same place as found - TT no. 106
 * Creation of source - who and when:**  author unknown; 19th dynasty
 * Useful because:** shows a vizier's duties, expected behaviour, relationship to other officials and manner of conduct

Two biographies, one addressed to Seti I and the other to Ramesses II. Columns of inscription above the figure of the vizier Paser read:
 * Source Three - 'The pair of biographies inscribed on pillars in Paser's tomb'**

//‘Fanbearer on the right of the king city governor, vizier, festival leader of Amun, Paser, true of voice ... first companion of the palace, overseer of the chamberlains, and high priest of Great-Magic, ... city governor, and vizier who judges what is right, who is charged to receive tribute of the foreign lands of south and north for the treasury of the victorious king ... on account of his efficiency calculates the revenue of the Two Lands throughout the districts of Upper and Lower Egypt ... overseer of works in the great monuments, overseers of the overseers of all royal workshops, festival leader of Amun city governor, vizier, Paser, true of voice.’//

- lists extensively the duties of the vizier, including: fanbearer on the right of the king, city governor, festival leader of Amun, first companion of the palace, overseer of the chamberlains, receives tribute, calculates the revenue of both Upper and Lower Egypt, overseer of works in the great monuments, overseers of the overseers of all royal workshops
 * What:** biographies of the vizier Paser (reigns of Seti I and Ramesses II)
 * Found:** Tomb of the vizier Paser, Theban Tomb no. 106
 * Now Found:** remains in same place as found - TT no. 106
 * Creation of source - who and when:**  author unknown; 19th dynasty
 * Useful because:**

- another example of the vizier's dress: again we can see the long robe with the narrow straps, clean-shaven head - shows vizier in the act of performing one of his many duties - shows his status - on level of that of the crown prince, and the trust placed in him by the Pharaoh
 * Source Four - 'Limestone Ostracon showing Ramesses IX with a Prince and Vizier'**
 * What:** the Pharaoh Ramesses III (far left) is reviewing the spoils of his Libyan campaign, which are presented to him by his crown prince (middle) and his vizier (far right)
 * Found:** Temple of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu
 * Now Found:** British Museum, London, England
 * Creation of source - who and when:**  creator unknown; 20th Dynasty, about 1120 BC
 * Useful because:**

__Sources Relating to the Viceroys of Kush (Nubia)__

- evidence of the importance of the position of viceroy of Nubia at this time, overseeing Egypt's access to the wealth of these lands: indicated by the use of red granite which was only used for high officials
 * Source Five - 'Granite Lid of the Sarcophagus of Setjau'**
 * What:** granite lid of the sarcophagus of Setjau, who was the viceroy of Kush in the reign of Ramesses II (1279-1213 BC)
 * Found:** Thebes, Egypt
 * Now Found:** British Museum, London, England
 * Creation of source - who and when:**  creator unknown; 19th dynasty, around 1230 BC
 * Useful because:**

__Sources Relating to the High Priests of Amun__

- indicative of the growing power and wealth of the priesthood of Amun in the 20th dynasty (the preiesthood gradually gained more control as the power of the Pharaohs diminished and their empire shrank): evidence for this - for the first time, a high priest is shown the same size as the Pharaoh. During the reign of the last Rameses, the high priests of Amun took control of the south, ruling from their temple at Thebes - the priesthood eventually owned //"two-thirds of all temple land in Egypt, ninety percent of the ships, and eighty percent of all the factories"// 1.
 * Source Six - 'Temple of Amun relief depicting pharaoh Ramses IX and High Priest of Amun Amenhotep'**
 * What:** relief depicting Ramesses IX (right) and Amenhotep (left), who was High Priest of Amun (in the reigns of Ramesses IX and Ramesses XI), and was also the vizier
 * Found:** on the side of the Great Temple of Amun at Karnak
 * Now Found:** remains at the Temple of Amun
 * Creation of source - who and when:**  creator unknown; 20th dynasty
 * Useful because:**

- shows the responsibilities taken on by the high priest of Amun aside from his priestly duties, hieroglyphic text mentions: that Bakenkhunsu carried out and oversaw several construction projects at Karnak Temple's Great Hall, and commends his construction achievements
 * Source Seven - 'Quartz Stela of the Pharaoh Setnakhte and the High Priest of Amun Bakenkhunsu'**
 * What:** quartzite religious relief engraved in two parts - the upper one featuring the Pharaoh Setnakhte wearing the blue crown and kneeling before the god Amun; and the lower part bears 17 lines of hieroglyphic text followed by a scene showing Bakenkhunsu, the High Priest of Amun, wearing his religious robes and praying
 * Found:** avenue lined with ram-headed sphinxes that once connected the temples of Luxor and Karnak
 * Now Found:** now being subjected to comprehensive studies in Luxor
 * Creation of source - who and when:**  creator unknown; 20th dynasty
 * Useful because:**

- reflects Hunefer's high status as a royal scribe and overseer of the cattle: evident because of the fine quality of his Book of the Dead, which is characterised by its good state of preservation and the large, clear vignettes (illustrations) which are beautifully drawn and painted - gives an example of High Priest of Amun carrying out one of his duties: this vignette depicts him overseeing the 'Opening of the Mouth' ritual - shows us the attire of the priesthood and the distinctions in dress between that of the High Priest of Amun and lesser priests: High priests can be distinguished by the leopard skin (mantle or cloak), the two others wear white cloth and white sahses, marking them as priests
 * Source Eight - 'Page from the Book of the Dead of Hunefer'**
 * What:** three priests conduct the 'Opening of the Mouth' ceremony (three figures on the left in the upper scene) whilst Hunefer's wife and daughter mourn, with the mummy of Hunefer shown supported by the god Anubis (or a priest wearing a jackal mask)
 * Found:** Tomb of Hunefer, Royal Scribe and Overseer of the Royal Cattle (19th dynasty around 1310 BC) in Thebes, Egypt
 * Now Found:** British Museum, London, England
 * Creation of source - who and when:**  author unknown; 19th dynasty, around 1300 BC
 * Useful because:**

__Sources Relating to the Overseer of the Granaries__

- gives an example of the Overseer of the Granaries carrying out his duties
 * Source Nine - 'Papyrus from the Book of the Dead of Any'**
 * What:** vignettes showing agricultural scenes - depicts things such as reaping, winnowing and ploughing, with Any, the Overseer of the Granaries, overseeing these activities
 * Found:** Tomb of Any, Thebes, Egypt
 * Now Found:** British Museum, London, England
 * Creation of source - who and when:** <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;"> author unknown; 19th Dynasty, around 1250 BC
 * Useful because:**

__Sources Relating to the Scribe__ __of the Tomb____/Scribe in the 'Place of Truth'__

- holding two hoes - denotes agricultural labour - evidence of work conducted: the red-brown colour (i.e. tan) implies he was out working in the harsh sunlight
 * Source Ten - 'Shabti of Qeniherkhepeshef'**
 * What:** shabti of Qeniherkhepeshef, <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Scribe of the Tomb and Scribe in the 'Place of Truth' (royal necropolis) (in the reigns of Ramesses II and Seti II)
 * Found:** Deir el-Medina, Thebes, Egypt
 * Now Found:** British Museum, London, England
 * Creation of source - who and when:** <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;"> creator unknown; 19th Dynasty, around 1210BC
 * Useful because:**

What:** headrest of Qeniherkhepeshef, <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">Scribe of the Tomb and Scribe in the 'Place of Truth' (royal necropolis) (in the reigns of Ramesses II and Seti II) - shows the privileges experienced by Egyptian officials, and inevitable abuses of power: had a comfortable seat by the workmen's rest huts on the pass between the village and the valley; surviving documents show that Qeniherkhepeshef used men of the gang to do private work for him during official hours and that he tried to use his office to get the workmen to do the work without payment. He was also accused of bribery on two occasions
 * Source Eleven - 'Limestone headrest of Qeniherkhepeshef**'
 * [[image:Z_source_13.jpg width="718" height="718"]]
 * Found:** Deir el-Medina, Thebes, Egypt
 * Now Found:** British Museum, London, England
 * Creation of source - who and when:** <span style="font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;"> creator unknown; 19th Dynasty, around 1225 BC
 * Useful because:**

1. from __International Dictionary of Historic Places__ by Trudy Ring and Robert M. Salkin, page 406

Bibliography

Books

Kitchen, Kenneth, 1993, __Ramesside inscriptions: translated & annotated, notes and comments__, Blackwell Publishing

Frood, Elizabeth & Baines, John, 2007, __Biographical Texts from Ramesside Egypt,__ Society of Biblical Literature

Steindorff, George & Seele, Keith, 1957, __When Egypt Ruled The East__, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, pages 86-89

Kemp, Barry, 1995, __Ancient Egypt: Anatomy of a Civilization__, Routledge Publishing, NY USA, page 237

Freed, Rita, 1987, __Rameses II: The Great Pharaoh and His Time__, Denver Museum of Natural History, Memphis, Tennessee, pages 31, 80-85, 108, 172-173

Lawless, Jennifer, 2000, __Studies In Ancient Egypt: Periods and Personalities__, Thomson Learning, Victoria, Australia, page 252

Casson, Lionel, 1966, __Ancient Egypt__, Time Inc., Printed in Holland, pages 93-96

Demovic, Mary & Baker, Catherine, 1999, __New Kingdom Egypt__, Longmann Aus. Pty Ltd, Melbourne Australia, pages 23, 26-27, 50-51, 74

Websites

Bart, Anneke, (n.d.), __19th and 20th Dynasty Viziers__, Retrieved: 28th February, 2009, from http://euler.slu.edu/~bart/egyptianhtml/kings%20and%20Queens/Viziers.html#19th_and_20th_Dynasty

Bart, Anneke, (n.d.), __The High Priests of Amun – 18th to 25th Dynasties__, Retrieved: 28th February, 2009, from http://euler.slu.edu/~bart/egyptianhtml/kings%20and%20Queens/High_Priests_of_Amun.html

Bart, Anneke, (n.d.), __Viceroys Of Kush__, Retrieved: 28th February, 2009, from http://euler.slu.edu/~bart/egyptianhtml/kings%20and%20Queens/Viceroy_of_Kush_(or_Nubia).html

University College London (no author), 2002, __Viceroys of Kush__, Retrieved: 28th February, 2009, from http://www.digitalegypt.ucl.ac.uk/nubia/viceroy.html

University College London (no author), 2002, __Administration in Ancient Egypt__, Retrieved: 28th February, 2009, from http://www.digitalegypt.ucl.ac.uk/administration/dutiesvezier.html

University College London (no author), 2002, __Thebes: Paser, High Priest of Amun__, Retrieved: 28th February, 2009, from http://www.digitalegypt.ucl.ac.uk/thebes/persons/paser.html

Malek, Jaromir, 2007, __Tomb KV 17 of Sethos I (1294-1279 BC): Hieroglyphic Texts, Reliefs, Paintings and Maps__, Retrieved: 28th February, 2009, from http://www.griffith.ox.ac.uk/gri/4sethos.html

Malek, Jaromir, 2007, __Theban tomb TT 106 of the Vizier Paser, of the reigns of Sethos I and Ramesses II (c.1285-1255 BC)__, Retrieved: 28th February, 2009, from http://www.griffith.ox.ac.uk/gri/4paser.html

Dun, Jimmy, 1996, __The Installation of the Vizier: Transcript__, Retrieved: 6th March, 2009, from http://www.touregypt.net/installationofvizier.htm

El-Aref, Nevine, 2007, __Dynasty revealed: A quartz stela unearthed in the Avenue of Ram-headed Sphinxes in Luxor has changed what we know of the 20th dynasty__, Retrieved: 6th March, 2009, from http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2007/827/hr1.htm

All sources currently residing at the __British Museum__ were found at the British Museum’s website: http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlights_search_results.aspx (5 URLS in total, so I’m not going to list them) <span style="font-size: 120%; font-family: 'Courier New',Courier,monospace;">