Chief Steward or Great Overseer of the House (Ancient Egyptian: imy-r pr wr) was an ancient Egyptian occupational title held by important officials at the royal court during the Middle and New Kingdoms. The Chief Steward supervised all royal Stewards and was thus in charge of all the royal estates which supply their palaces and the royal residences with food.[1] After the Vizier and the Chancellor, the Chief Steward held the most important office at the royal court.
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History[]
The office of the Chief Steward first appears in the Eleventh Dynasty, with the earliest title holders being Henenu and Meketre.[2] Important title holders of the Twelfth Dynasty were Siese and Khnumhotep III, both were later in their career appointed Vizier.
The title was still very important during the New Kingdom. Important title holders of the Eighteenth Dynasty were Senmut[3] and Wadjetrenput[4], who both served under Pharaoh Hatshepsut.
Chief Steward of the God's Wife[]
During the Twenty-fifth and Twenty-sixth Dynasties, the role of God's Wife of Amun greatly rose in importance, both religiously and politically. Their offices required several servants and employees, led by a Chief Steward of the God's Wife (imy-r pr wr n ḥm.t nṯr) who was in charge of the estates of the God's Wife. These were highly wealthy officials known from their monumental tombs at Thebes. Title holders include Harwa and Akhamunru.[5]
See also[]
References[]
Bibliography[]
- Allen, J.P., 2003: The high officials of the early Middle Kingdom. In: N. Strudwick & J.H. Taylor: The Theban Necropolis: : past, present, and future. British Museum Press, London.
- Naunton, C.H., 2011: Regime Change and The Administration of Thebes During The Twenty-fifth Dynasty. Swansea University.
- Quirke, S., 2004: ''Titles and bureaux of Egypt 1850-1700 BC. Golden House Publications, London.
- Shirley, J.J., 2014: The Power of the Elite: The Officials of Hatshepsut's Regency and Coregency. In: J. Galán, B. M. Bryan, P. F. Dorman (eds.): Creativity and Innovation in the Reign of Hatshepsut. Studies in Ancient Oriental Civilization, Vol. 69, Chicago.