Khenmes


Khenmes was an Egyptian vizier during the early 13th Dynasty, in the late Middle [Kingdom of Egypt|Middle Kingdom]. One monument associates him with king Sekhemkare. He is believed to have resided in Itjtawy in Lower Egypt.

Biography

Family

The mother of the vizier was a certain woman called Sat-khenty-khety. She is mentioned on his monuments. The name of one of his sons in a rock inscription is not well preserved but his title royal sealer implies that he was a high official at the royal court

Career

Vizier

We only have attestations from the time when he was a vizier. The vizier was the most important official after the king.
His title string has two variations:
  • jmj-rꜣ njwt; ṯꜣtj; jmj-rꜣ ḥwt-wrt 6
  • jrj-pꜥt; ḥꜣtj-ꜥ; jmj-rꜣ njwt; '''ṯꜣtj'''

    Attestations

Khenmes is known for sure only from two sources. A fragment of a statue in the British Museum. Khenmes is also attested in a rock inscription found Aswan.
BM EA75196 | A granodiorite statue of man seated on the ground belonging to Khenmes, including the royal name of king Sekhemkare.
de Morgan, Cat. I, 26 186 | At the Aswan-Philae road a rock inscription by vizier Khenmes. It mentions his mother and two children. His wife may be Senebtify.

Weaker attestations

Aswan 1314 | At Elephantine, a stela which may relate to his family. Family members seems different, Ameny not mentioned.
Khartoum 2650 | At Semna, a table belonging to Ameny, who may have been the son of Khenmes. However, the name Ameny was common and this may refer to a different person.
P. Ramesseum 18 | At the Ramesseum, a hieratic text which mentions a reporter named Khenmes. Only the name is similar with a different title.