Mereruka

Vizier reign of Teti c.2340 BC.

    Near to the pyramid of *Teti (2345-2333 BC), there is a substantial and well-preserved mastaba-tomb which belonged to Mereruka, who was the son-in-law and vizier of King *Teti. This tomb dates to the beginning of the Sixth Dynasty and is similar to that of *Ti; it was excavated in 1893.

    Mereruka's tomb has thirty-one chambers and passages and was designed to accommodate his own burial and those of his wife, the princess Hert-watet-khet, and their son, Meri-Teti. Indeed, his wife's importance is emphasised in the wall-scenes, for she appears with her husband in these throughout the tomb.

    The scenes are generally typical of those that occur on the walls of nobles' tombs in the Old Kingdom, but they are of outstanding quality and are very well-preserved. Mereruka is shown in a papyrus-boat hunting and fishing in the marshes; he also hunts in the desert, and inspects various craftsmen including jewellers, goldsmiths, carpenters and masons manufacturing vases; his attendants bring him gifts, and the formal events of his own funeral are depicted.

BIBL. Duell, P. et al. The Mastaba of Mereruka. Chicago: 1938.

see Teti.

Biographical Dictionary of Ancient Egypt by Rosalie and Antony E. David

* * *

(fl. 2340 BC)

   Vizier of Teti of Dynasty 6 and successor of Kagemni. Son of the lady Nedjetempet. He married a royal princess, Watetkhekher, alias Sesheseshet. His tomb is located near the pyramid of Teti at Saqqara, and it is one of the largest in the cemetery. There are many fine reliefs of daily life and a massive statue of the deceased in the main hall. The tomb was discovered in 1893 but was only fully copied by an expedition from the University of Chicago from 1930–1936. Mereruka’s mother’s tomb has recently been discovered next to his.

   See also Amenemhat I; Aperel; Ay; Hemiunu; Imhotep; Intefyoker; Kagemni; Nefermaat; Paser; Ptahhotep; Ptahshepses; Ramesses I; Rekhmire.

Historical Dictionary Of Ancient Egypt by Morris L. Bierbrier