Supporting Aten’s Temples

To keep their government and economy running, the pharaohs of ancient Egypt relied on allies, servants and friends. Akhenaten (Nefer-kheperu-Re) was no exception. In this episode, we meet two of the King’s most prominent servants, the men who kept the great temples of Aten fed, supplied and running smoothly. From their tombs and houses in the city, the high officials Meryre and Panehesy provide a compelling glimpse at the daily operations of the state.

118. Meryra Temple 1 (front) - Copy — The Great Temple of Amarna, tomb of Meryre (Davies 1903).

118b. Meryre promotion (Davies I plate VI) — Akhenaten appoints Meryre, kneeling at bottom left and raised on the shoulders of his entourage (Davies 1905).

panehsy_shrine_large — Shrine from Panehsy’s official residence, near the Great Aten Temple (Amarna Project)

118b. Panehesy (Davies 2 plate xxiii) (1) — Panehesy and his sister(?) Abneba at left; their respective daughters stand beside their chairs (Davies 1905).

D18-Amarna-Private Tombs Panehsy - Chris (8) — Panehesy and Abneba in the Shrine of his tomb (Chris Ward 2019).

D18-Amarna-Private Tombs Panehsy - Chris (18) - Copy — Columned hall of Panehesy’s tomb (Chris Ward 2019).

118. Meryra Temple 0 (People 1) photo edited — Temple officials (including Meryre?) great Akhenaten when he comes to the Great Temple (Davies 1903).

118b. Meryre promotion (Davies I plate VI) — Akhenaten appoints Meryre, kneeling at bottom left and raised on the shoulders of his entourage (Davies 1905).

This Episode Was Sponsored by Subscribers on Patreon

Bibliography

Aidan Dodson, Amarna Sunrise, 2012.

Barry Kemp, City of Akhenaten and Nefertiti: Amarna and Its People, 2012.

Donald B. Redford, Akhenaten: The Heretic King, 1984.

Norman de Garis Davies, The Rock Tombs of el-Amarna, Vol. I: The Tomb of Meryre, 1903. Archive.org.

Norman de Garis Davies, The Rock Tombs of el-Amarna, Vol. II: The Tombs of Panehsy and Meryre II, 1905. Archive.org.

Norman de Garis Davies, The Rock Tombs of el-Amarna, Vol. V: Smaller Tombs and Boundary Stela, 1908. Archive.org.

William J. Murnane, Texts from the Amarna Period in Egypt, 1995.

William J. Murnane and Cornel van Siclen III, The Boundary Stelae of Akhenaten, 1993.