| Djehutihotep | |
|---|---|
| Nomarch of the fifteenth nomos of Upper Egypt | |
 Left jamb from Djehutihotep's tomb entrance now in Florence (inv. no. 7596) [1] | |
| Dynasty | Twelfth Dynasty |
| Pharaoh | Amenemhat II, Senusret II, Senusret III |
| Father | Kay |
| Mother | Satkheperka |
| Wife | Hathorhotep |
| Burial | Deir el-Bersha |
Djehutihotep ("Thoth is satisfied") was an ancient Egyptian nomarch of the fifteenth nomos of Upper Egypt ("the Hare") during the twelfth dynasty, c. 1900 BC.
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| Djehutihotep in hieroglyphs | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Era: Middle Kingdom (2055–1650 BC) | |||
Djehutihotep lived under the reigns of Amenemhat II, Senusret II, and Senusret III and was one of the most powerful nomarchs of the Middle Kingdom. His tomb—the only one among the necropolis of Deir el-Bersha that wasn't damaged by the explosives used in recent quarrying methods—is well known for the great quality of its decorations, a work carried out by an artist named Amenaankhu. [2] For this reason, it is believed that Djehutihotep died prior to the strict measures reducing the power of the nomarchs that were established by Senusret III. Indeed, as their charge became hereditary at the end of the Old Kingdom, the nomarchs became local rulers effectively, although not nominally, independent of the pharaohs. This situation led to excesses in the exercise of power that worsened steadily during the First Intermediate Period. It was not until Senusret's measures were imposed that such abuse of power later exercised by nomarchs, stopped posing a threat to the integrity of the Egyptian state. [3]
Being part of the hereditary nomarch system, Djehutihotep's family held the office of local governor for several generations. Djehutihotep was the son of a woman named Satkheperka and an official named Kay. The latter was the brother of Djehutynakht VI and Amenemhat, both of whom became governors of the Hare nome, although Kay did not. Djehutihotep was married to a woman named Hathorhotep. Her parents are not recorded in known sources. Several children of Djehutihotep are known. See "Nomarchs of the Hare nome" for further notes about his genealogy. [4]
Two limestone jambs from Djehutihotep's tomb entrance are now on display in the National Archeological Museum of Florence (inv. nos. 7596 and 7597), having been purchased by Ernesto Schiaparelli in 1891–92. The jambs list his several civil and religious titles, which include Treasurer of the King, Unique friend (of the King), Overseer of the priests, and Great overlord of the Hare nomos (i.e. nomarch). Djehutihotep was represented at the bottom of the jambs. [5]
By far, Djehutihotep is known best for the famous decoration inside his tomb that represents the transport of a colossal statue of him [6] that was nearly 6.8 metres (22.3 ft) high, being transported by 172 workers using ropes and a slide, in an effort that is facilitated by pouring water in front of the slide. With an estimated weight of 58 tonnes (57.1 long tons; 63.9 short tons), it was carved by a scribe, Sipa son of Hennakhtankh. Unfortunately, no traces of this colossus have ever been found. [3] The colossus' depiction itself was irremediably vandalized and destroyed in 1890, and all the existing drawings are based on a single photo taken the previous year by a certain Major Brown. [6]
The Middle Kingdom of Egypt is the period in the history of ancient Egypt following a period of political division known as the First Intermediate Period. The Middle Kingdom lasted from approximately 2040 to 1782 BC, stretching from the reunification of Egypt under the reign of Mentuhotep II in the Eleventh Dynasty to the end of the Twelfth Dynasty. The kings of the Eleventh Dynasty ruled from Thebes and the kings of the Twelfth Dynasty ruled from el-Lisht.
A nomarch was a provincial governor in ancient Egypt; the country was divided into 42 provinces, called nomes. A nomarch was the government official responsible for a nome.
A nome was a territorial division in ancient Egypt.
Amenemhat I, also known as Amenemhet I, was a pharaoh of ancient Egypt and the first king of the Twelfth Dynasty of the Middle Kingdom.
Nubkaure Amenemhat II, also known as Amenemhet II, was the third pharaoh of the 12th Dynasty of ancient Egypt. Although he ruled for at least 35 years, his reign is rather obscure, as well as his family relationships.
Senusret I also anglicized as Sesostris I and Senwosret I, was the second pharaoh of the Twelfth Dynasty of Egypt. He ruled from 1971 BC to 1926 BC, and was one of the most powerful kings of this Dynasty. He was the son of Amenemhat I. Senusret I was known by his prenomen, Kheperkare, which means "the Ka of Re is created." He expanded the territory of Egypt allowing him to rule over an age of prosperity.
Beni Hasan is an ancient Egyptian cemetery. It is located approximately 20 kilometers (12 mi) to the south of modern-day Minya in the region known as Middle Egypt, the area between Asyut and Memphis.
Deir El Bersha is a Coptic village in Middle Egypt, in the Minya Governorate. It is located on the east bank of the Nile to the south of Antinoöpolis and almost opposite the city of Mallawi. During the pharaonic period, there was a vast cemetery, which is most well known for its decorated Middle Kingdom tombs on the north flank of Wadi Nakhla.
The necropolis of Meir is an archaeological site in Middle Egypt in the Asyut Governorate located on the west bank of the Nile. Here are the graves of the nomarchs, mayors and priests of Cusae from the ancient Egyptian Old and Middle Kingdom.
This page list topics related to ancient Egypt.
Mesehti was an ancient Egyptian nomarch of the 13th nomos of Upper Egypt around 2000 BCE, during the 11th Dynasty. He also was seal-bearer and overseer of the priests of Wepwawet.
Khnumhotep II was an ancient Egyptian Great Chief of the Oryx nome during the reign of pharaohs Amenemhat II and Senusret II of the 12th Dynasty, Middle Kingdom. He is well known for his tomb at Beni Hasan and its decorations.
Khnumhotep I was an ancient Egyptian Great Chief of the Oryx nome during the reign of Pharaoh Amenemhat I of the 12th Dynasty, Middle Kingdom.
Amenemhat, often reported with his short form Ameny (Jmnjj), was an ancient Egyptian "Overlord of the Oryx nome" and chief priest during the reign of pharaoh Senusret I of the 12th Dynasty.
The Oryx nome was one of the 42 nomoi in ancient Egypt. The Oryx nome was the 16th nome of Upper Egypt, and was named after the scimitar oryx. It was located, approximately, in the territories surrounding the modern city of Minya in Middle Egypt.
The Hare nome, also called the Hermopolite nome was one of the 42 nomoi in ancient Egypt; more precisely, it was the 15th nome of Upper Egypt.
Djehutynakht, tentatively identified with Djehutynakht IV or Djehutynakht V, was an ancient Egyptian "Overlord of the Hare nome" during the very end of the 11th Dynasty or the early 12th Dynasty. He is well known for his painted outer coffin now exhibited in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston along with his other grave goods.
Sarenput II, also called Nubkaurenakht was an ancient Egyptian nomarch during the reign of pharaohs Senusret II and Senusret III of the 12th Dynasty.
Djefaihapi was an ancient Egyptian official during the reign of pharaoh Senusret I of the 12th Dynasty. In literature, his name is found written in many other variants such as Hepzefa, Hapidjefa, Hapdjefai, and Djefaihap.
Senusret was an ancient Egyptian official dating to the early 12th Dynasty. He was a local governor of the nome of Nekhen, and is so far only known from his rock-cut tomb at Elkab, where he was buried. The tomb chapel was finely decorated with paintings. The preserved decorations in the chapel show Senusret hunting with bow and arrow or accompanied by his wife, as well as agricultural scenes.
