203: Rise of a Vizier

Paser, the Tjaty.

One day, around 1295 BCE (give or take), the nobles of Waset (modern Luxor) gathered for a ceremony. It was a celebration in honour of a man. Not the King, Sety I, but one of his servants. His name was Paser.

Paser was well-known to pharaoh Sety I. So far, he had served the King as the Overseer of his House (that is, the manager of the King’s palace and apartments). He also had the epithet “First Companion of the Palace” (or smr-tpy-n-aH). So, Paser worked directly with the pharaoh, managing the affairs of his household. Daily business, organisation, the various tasks that go into a wealthy lifestyle. Now, Sety was giving up his palace manager, and promoting him to higher office. 

Sety was promoting his household manager to the highest echelons of government. In the New Kingdom, around 1300 BCE, Egypt had two of these Tjaty (Viziers) at any one time. One Tjaty governed the north; the other the south. As far as scholars can tell, Paser was probably the Tjaty of the south.  

It was a prestigious role, and a busy one. In this office, Paser would oversee the building projects of the King, throughout the Nile Valley. He would hear petitions and pass judgement on high-level disputes or court cases. He would liaise with the overseers of the great temples, especially Karnak. He would hear reports from the army, the fortresses, and the Medjay police. And, perhaps most importantly, Paser would supervise the construction of Sety’s tomb, in the Valley of the Kings; also his Memorial Temples, in Abydos and Waset; and anywhere that Sety chose to erect a shrine or monument to the gods, Paser would be involved.

Then, in the background, the Vizier would handle the thousand-and-one-tasks of an imperial government. We’ll hear about some of these Duties a bit later.

The attendants wrapped Paser in the heavy white robe, of the Tjaty. The clothing completed, Paser straightened up. Now, the attendants brought forth golden collars, necklaces, which they clasped around his neck. There were several of them, each one a token of the King’s splendid esteem. Finally, they handed Paser a pair of sceptres. A fan (or TAy), made of a long metal pole with an ostrich feather attached; and a shepherd’s crook (the HqA), symbolising the right to govern.

Finally, Paser received an important token. A seal, made of metal or clay, and stamped with hieroglyphs recording his titles and authority. This seal, specific to the Viziers, would allow Paser to sign important documents on behalf of his King. It was the bureaucratic flourish to the appointment of a governor. 

Paser, the newly minted Tjaty (Vizier) stepped back. He bowed before Sety, then turned to face the court. As he did so, the great and powerful of Waset raised their arms in celebration. Paser’s entourage, his clients and followers, shouted his name in praise. A clamour arose, and the court echoed with celebrations. Paser had achieved the highest rank an official could seek. He was the King’s right-hand-man.

Paser rose to the rank of Tjaty (Vizier) in the later years of King Sety I. He would continue to serve in the next reign, that of young Ramesses II. And Paser’s career, his work for these pharaohs, is well-documented on the walls of his tomb. The grave of Paser, in the hills west of Luxor (ancient Waset or Thebes) includes scenes like the one I just described. And it has texts that record Paser’s biography, his religious beliefs, and his hopes for an eternal life.

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Music and interludes by Keith Zizza www.keithzizza.net.
Music and interludes by Luke Chaos www.chaosmusick.com.