Through the Eras

Architecture and DesignPLINY’S DESCRIPTION OF LOADING ANOBELISK ON A SHIPINTRODUCTION: The Egyptians left no descriptions of theway they moved heavy pieces of stone. The best evidenceof Egyptian methods comes from the Romanauthor Pliny the Elder who visited Egypt in the firstcentury C.E. and observed the following.the first stage of the Luxor temple, and the king’s mortuarytemple in western Thebes, the largest ever built.After his death, Amenhotep son of Hapu was deified andconsidered a healing god.SOURCESWilliam J. Murnane, “Power Behind the Throne: Amenhotepson of Hapu,” KMT: A Modern Journal of AncientEgypt 22 (Summer, 1991): 8–13.Dietrich Wildung, Egyptian Saints: Deification in PharaonicEgypt (New York: New York University Press, 1977).SOURCE: Pliny, Natural History. Vol. X. Trans. D. E. Eichholz(Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1962): 56.SIGNIFICANTPEOPLEin Architecture and DesignAMENHOTEP, SON OF HAPULate in the reign of Thutmose III (1479–1425B.C.E.–Early in the reign of Tutankhamun(1332–1322 B.C.E.)ScribeChief of the King’s WorksCOMMONER TO COURTIER. Amenhotep son ofHapu was born in the Nile delta late in the reign ofThutmose III. His father, Hapu, was a commoner.Amenhotep’s first known official position was royalscribe. He was thus an embodiment of the Egyptian beliefthat education was the key to moving up in society.Eventually, he became Chief of All the King’s Works inthe reign of Amenhotep III (1390–1352 B.C.E.). In thisposition he supervised enormous building projects.These projects included additions at the Karnak temple,HEMIUNU, SON OF NEFERMAATfl. Fourth Dynasty (2625–2500 B.C.E.)PriestArchitectROYAL CONNECTIONS. Hemiunu was the son ofNefermaat, a son of King Sneferu. He was thus grandsonof one king and nephew of King Khufu, patron ofthe Great Pyramid at Giza. As a member of the royalfamily he reached many high offices. The list of hisachievements is recorded on his statue, currently locatedin Hildesheim, Germany. They include,Member of the elite, high official, vizier, king’s sealbearer, attendant of Nekhen, and spokesman ofevery resident of Pe, priest of Bastet, priest of Shesmetet,priest of the Ram of Mendes, Keeper of theApis Bull, Keeper of the White Bull, whom his lordloves, elder of the palace, high priest of Thoth,whom his lord loves, courtier, Overseer of RoyalScribes, priest of the Panther Goddess, Director ofMusic of the South and North, Overseer of All ConstructionProjects of the King, king’s [grand-]son ofhis own body …The last title listed, and perhaps the most important titlehe held, allows Egyptologists to determine that hewas the architect and construction supervisor for theGreat Pyramid and of all the mastaba tombs located atGiza. His own large mastaba tomb and magnificent statuessuggest the extent of the rewards King Khufu gaveHemiunu in return for this work. As is true with so manyother important individuals who lived in ancient Egypt,little detail of his life can be added.SOURCESMarsha Hill, “Hemiunu Seated,” in Egyptian Art in the Ageof the Pyramids (New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.,1999): 229–231.Arts and Humanities Through the Eras: Ancient Egypt (2675 B.C.E.–332 B.C.E.) 59