Vizier

    The supreme chief of the government administration, who received his orders directly from the king. He was not only Minister of Justice, but was in charge of various departments including the police, public works, chancellery, treasury, judgement of appeals and river transport. He was also involved in advising councils of war and, as the king's delegate, the vizier reported back to him on all matters of importance. Translated as 'vizier', the ancient Egyptian word for this office is 'tjaty'.

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

* * *

   Modern name based on the Arabic wazir for the chief administrative official of the Egyptian kingdom. Ancient Egyptian tjaty. The office appears to be attested since the Early Dynastic Period. It was the chief administrative office in the country, and the vizier was responsible for law and order. Beginning in the New Kingdom, the post was divided into two positions—one vizier for Lower Egypt and one for Upper Egypt. The post was the most powerful next to that of the ruler, and an ambitious vizier was often a threat to the king, as in the case of Amenemhat I.

Historical Dictionary Of Ancient Egypt by Morris L. Bierbrier