Amenhotep-son-of-Hapu, High Official, Architect, Demigod

A compelling account of a unique New Kingdom figure, from his early life to the pinnacle of his power under Amenhotep III to his manifestation as a cult figure

Amenhotep-son-of-Hapu was one of the most remarkable non-royal figures in Egyptian history. In life, he was an official of Amenhotep III, of exceptional prominence, but apparently modest origins. Holding a vast array of titles, he was responsible for the management of the king’s principal works, and was honored with numerous statues and a unique mortuary temple in royal style. Then, a millennium after his death, we find him elevated to divine status, in conjunction with an even more ancient royal builder, Imhotep of the Third Dynasty. As such, he appears in temples around Thebes, even having a a colossal statue erected for his cult in front of the great temple at Karnak.

This is the first full-length book in English dedicated to him. It begins with an overview of the fourteenth century BC reign of Amenhotep III, during which the known events of Amenhotep-son-of-Hapu’s life took place. It then investigates what we know of Amenhotep-son-of-Hapu’s background, and reviews the material surviving from his lifetime to reconstruct his activities.

Also described are the funerary arrangements of Amenhotep-son-of-Hapu, in the context of contemporary practice, underlining how these were far more elaborate than those of any other official, and approaching royal standards. The authors then jump forward to the second century BC to explore how the cult of Amenhotep-son-of-Hapu was manifested, and the various monuments that were decorated in his honor. The final chapter describes the rediscovery of Amenhotep-son-of-Hapu and his monuments by modern scholarship.