Rekhmire

Vizier reign of Tuthmosis III, 1504-1450 BC.

    Rekhmire was Governor of Thebes and Vizier under both *Tuthmosis III and *Amenophis II, thus becoming one of the country's most powerful officials during an important and expansive period.

    His tomb at Sheikh Abd el Qurna, Thebes, is important because it provides details of the nature and extent of his duties, thus extending knowledge of the role of a vizier in the Eighteenth Dynasty. In the wall-scenes he is shown in a range of activities: holding audiences, collecting taxes brought in the form of commodities by the district officials, and inspecting the temple works. The latter included the building of a pylon (temple gateway) and the activities of the temple workshops where leather goods and vases were being made and carpenters and goldsmiths plyed their crafts in the service of the god. The text of two inscriptions are important; one describes the installation of a vizier and the other gives details of his duties, both augmenting knowledge of the functions of the vizier's office.

    The scenes also illustrate the presentation of foreign tribute to Egypt, which is received by Vizier Rekhmire; this is a useful source of information regarding the countries Egypt dealt with at this time, and the commodities that they provided. The 'Peoples of the South' are shown, and the Cretans who bring fine vases, as well as the *Nubians whose tribute includes exotic animals, skins and gold; the Syrians are also represented, bringing chariots, horses, an elephant and a bear.

    BIBL Sethe, K. Die Einsetzung des Veziers unter der 18. Dynastie. Inschrift im Grabe des Rekh-mi-re zu Schech Abd el Gurna (Unters. 5, 2). Leipzig: 1909; Davies, N. de G. The tomb of Rekh-mi-Re at Thebes. New York: 1943.

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

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(fl. 1425 BC)

   Vizier toward the end of the reign of Thutmose III and the beginning of that of Amenhotep II. Son of Neferweben and Bata. He came from a prominent official family, as his grandfather, Ahmose, and his uncle, Woser, had both held the post of vizier. He was buried at Thebes (Theban tomb number 100), and his tomb contains a major inscription that details the duties of the vizier as well as scenes of foreign peoples bringing tribute to the Egyptian court.

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

Historical Dictionary Of Ancient Egypt by Morris L. Bierbrier