Online Activities: Ancient Egypt
Who is Who?
A - C | D - G | H - J | K - M | N - Q | R - S | T - Z
Aa-akhti: Third Dynasty. Chief Architect and Royal Governor. Aa-akhti was wealthy and powerful. He was able to command a fine artist to carve decorations for his mortuary chapel. An image of Aa-akhti himself, dressed in an unusual long kilt, and surrounded by clear and lively hieroglyphs, can be seen in Egyptian Art in the Age of the Pyramids (item 18).
Ankh: Third Dynasty, about 2670 BCE. Ankh was a high official who lived in the time of king Djoser Ntjerkhet, when the Step Pyramid was being built. Two statues of Ankh are in the Exhibition, Egyptian Art in the Age of the Pyramids. In these two statues, Ankh appears as a pleasant and contented man. In one, he is wearing a garment made of two cheetah skins. These statues may have been placed in temples, rather than in his tomb. (items 14 & 15)
Ankhaf: Fourth Dynasty, about 2550 BCE. King's Son, Vizier to Khafre. He was the Overseer of All the King's Works, and would have had responsibility for the construction of Khafre's pyramid and temples. A fine bust of him can be seen in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. The coloured statue shows a vigorous, confident middle-aged man.
Ankhesenmeryre I: Sixth Dynasty. Wife of Pepy I, mother of King Merenre, sister of Vizier Djau and Royal Wife Ankhesenmeryre II.
Ankhesenmeryre II: Sixth Dynasty. About 2250 BCE. Wife of Pepy I, and mother of Pepy II. She was the sister of Vizier Djau, and came from a prominent family at Abydos. It is possible that her mother, whose name was Nebet, was the woman vizier, Nebet. When her nephew, King Merenre died, her own son, Pepy II, became king at the age of six or seven. As regent, she directed the affairs of Egypt for about ten years, until the boy came of age. Despite her non-royal origins, Anhkesenmeryre II is depicted wearing the royal uraeus, the cobra goddess who protected the kings of Egypt. A famous statue shows her holding the young king on her lap. (item 172 in the Egyptian Art in the Age of the Pyramids)
Ankhmahor: Sixth Dynasty, about 2300 BCE. Vizier. Ankhmahor is famous for his beautiful tomb at Sakkara, near the pyramid of King Teti. It is sometimes called the ‘Tomb of the Physician' because of the scenes of circumcision. There are also scenes of jewelers, metalworkers and sculptors.
Ankhwah: Third Dynasty, about 2690-2610 BCE. Ship builder. An interesting statue, small but carved in a hard stone, shows him carrying his adze.
Atjema: Sixth Dynasty. Atjema was a wab priest attached to the Sun Temple of King Sahure. Though little is known of his career, the quality of his large, life-like statue makes it certain that he was valued member of the royal entourage. (item 185 in the Egyptian Art in the Age of the Pyramids)
Bakare: (also Bicheris, Baka, Baufre, Baefre) Fourth Dynasty. King(?) This prince may have briefly succeeded Khufu. He was involved in the struggle for succession after the death of Khufu.
Bebi: Fifth-Sixth Dynasties. Official. Bebi's title, Son of the House, suggests his job was to arrest people who had not paid their taxes.
Bunefer: Fourth Dynasty. About 2470 BCE. Wife of Shepseskaf. This woman seems to have exercised considerable power. When her husband died, it was she who conducted the funeral ceremonies, though these rites were usually conducted by a son or other close male relative.
Chephren: see Khafre
Cheops: see Khufu
A - C | D - G | H - J | K - M | N - Q | R - S | T - Z
