Vizier (Ancient Egypt)
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The vizier 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 are often appointed by the pharaoh, most from loyalty or talent. [3]
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[edit] Responsibilities
The viziers were appointed by the pharaoh, but often belonged to a vizierial 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. 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 king 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. [4] In the New Kingdom, there were two viziers, the vizier of Upper Egypt as well as the vizier of Lower Egypt.[5]
[edit] Behavior Code
According to the Installation of the Vizier, the vizier has certain traits and behavior that are required to be a vizier
- Act by the law
- Judge fairly
- Do not act willfully or headstrong
Look at the Installation of the Vizier for more information.
[edit] Notable Egyptian Viziers
- Hemiunu: Ruled under the reign of Khufu. Hemiunu is believed to have designed Khufu's pyramid.
- Ptahhotep: Ruled under the reign of Djedkare Isesi. He wrote the Maxims of Ptahhotep, which instruct people to follow a path of truth and kindness.
- Rekhmire: Ruled under the reign of both Thutmose III and Amenhotep II during the New Kingdom.
- Ay: Ruled under the reign of Tutankhamun. After Tutankhamun died, he became pharaoh.
- Ankhu: Ruled under Khendjer. He was the presiding vizier when the Hyksos invaded Egypt.
- Herihor: Ruled under the reign of Ramesses XI. He eventually stole the throne. [6]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Ian Shaw, The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt, p.95
- ^ Gardiner, Alan Henderson (1957). Egyptian Grammar; Being an Introduction to the Study of Hieroglyphs (3rd edition ed.). Oxford: Griffith Institute, Ashmolean Museum. pp. p.43. ISBN 0 900416 35.
- ^ M. Lichtheim, Ancient Egyptian Literature, vol.2, pp.21ff.
- ^ http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/egypt/government/vizier.htm
- ^ 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
- ^ http://euler.slu.edu/~bart/egyptianhtml/kings%20and%20Queens/Viziers.html
