Through the Eras

Architecture and DesignHermann Junker, “Giza I: Die Mastabas der IV. Dynastieauf dem Westfriedhof” Denkschrift der KaiserlichenAkademie der Wissenschaften 69 (1929): 153–157.IMHOTEPfl. Dynasty 3 (2675–2625 B.C.E.)High Priest of HeliopolisArchitectARCHITECT AND PRIEST. Little is recorded ofImhotep’s personal life. Even the date of his birth anddeath remain unknown, though he lived during theThird-dynasty reign of King Djoser (2675–2654 B.C.E.).He certainly reached the highest stratum of society, actingas both High Priest of Re at Heliopolis and the architectfor King Djoser’s Step Pyramid Complex atSaqqara. Even these facts come from much later sources.According to Manetho, the third-century B.C.E. historian,Imhotep built the first stone building—the StepPyramid complex. The inscription that mentions hisname on a statue of Djoser confirms his high position.The next information about Imhotep after the statue inscriptioncomes 1,000 years later from a papyrus now inthe Turin Museum, which calls Imhotep a patron ofscribes. In addition, he was already described as son ofthe god Ptah, the god of the capital city, Memphis. After664 B.C.E., Egyptians made numerous bronze statuettesof Imhotep. They described him as a teacher,physician, and god. The Greek rulers of Egypt after 332B.C.E. associated Imhotep with Asclepius, the Greek godof medicine.SOURCESErik Hornung, Conceptions of God in Ancient Egypt (Ithica,N.Y.: Cornell University Press, 1982).Dietrich Wildung, Egyptian Saints: Deification in PharaonicEgypt (New York: New York University Press, 1977).INENILate Dynasty 17 (1630–1539 B.C.E.)–Early Dynasty18 (1539–1425 B.C.E.)High Government OfficialSuperintendent of Royal BuildingsVARIED RESPONSIBILITIES. Ineni held importantoffices in the administration of Egypt beginning withthe reign of King Amenhotep I (1514–1493 B.C.E.) andending in the reign of Thutmose III (1479–1425B.C.E.). He held the titles Superintendent of the Granaries,Superintendent of Workmen in the KarnakTreasuries, Superintendent of the Royal Buildings, andMayor of Thebes. His career probably stretched fromlate in Amenhotep I’s reign to early in Thutmose III’sreign, a period encompassing over twenty years. He wasactive in overseeing the excavation of the first tomb inthe Valley of the Kings, belonging to Thutmose I(1493–1481 B.C.E.). He must also have been involvedin building Hatshepsut’s temple in Deir el Bahri,though the architect for that tomb was Senenmut, ayounger colleague. Ineni’s own tomb was badly destroyedin antiquity. His autobiography carved on thewall and his statues were all defaced, perhaps by enemies.The most unusual feature of his tomb is the prevalenceof trees both in paintings and lists. Over 394sycamore, acacia, and palm trees of different varietieswere painted and listed in hieroglyphs in the tomb, afeature unknown in other tombs.SOURCESNathalie Baum, Arbres et arbustes de l’Egypte ancienne: la listede la tombe thébaine d’Ineni (no. 81) (Leuven, Belgium:Departement Orientalistiek, 1988).Eberhard Dziobeck, Das Grab des Ineni: Theben Nr. 181(Mainz am Rhein, Germany: P. von Zabern, 1992).SENENMUT, SON OF RAMOSEfl. early Dynasty 18 (reign of Hatshepsut, 1478–1458B.C.E.)Government OfficialArchitectFROM COMMONER TO THE ROYAL HOUSEHOLD.Senenmut was probably born in Armant, a town northof modern Luxor. His parents, Ramose and Hatnofer,were commoners, so it is unclear how Senenmut joinedthe upper administration. He may first have achievedrecognition as a scribe since he became tutor to the royalprincess Neferura during the reign of Thutmose II(1481–1479 B.C.E.). By the end of this reign he servedas steward of estates both for the princess and hermother, Queen Hatshepsut. His connection with Hatshepsutclearly led to his prominence. When Hatshepsutbegan to perform the functions normally performedby a male king on the death of her husband (1478–1458B.C.E.), Senenmut first served as leader of a quarryingexpedition to bring obelisks back to the temple at Karnak.He also achieved increasingly higher offices at thechief god Amun’s temple. One of his 25 statues nameshim as architect at Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple atDeir el Bahri.60 Arts and Humanities Through the Eras: Ancient Egypt (2675 B.C.E.–332 B.C.E.)