Mythology

A high official of the 3rd dynasty, Imhotep is best known as the vizier and 'overseer of works’ of King Djoser, for whom he constructed the great Step Pyramid complex at Saqqara - the first Egyptian pyramid and the world’s first known monumental stone structure. Although apparently a commoner by birth, he served as a priest of Ptah and his connection with the god led eventually to the myth that he was the son of Ptah by a human mother named Khreduankh. During his lifetime Imhotep rose through the ranks of temple and government offices to become a high priest and courtier of great importance. In addition to his work as architect, he seems to have been a man of considerable learning associated with many other intellectual achievements and he became a patron of medicine, of writing and of knowledge in general. Although his medical achievements are not contemporaneously documented, the fact that Imhotep became known as a

The god Hu, directly in front of the deceased, stands with Khepri, Thoth and Isis in this afterlife scene. 20th dynasty. Tomb of Inherkha, tvestern Thebes.

(Right) The deified Imhotep (at right) shown before the craftsman god Ptah with whom he was often associated. Private stela, Saqqara. Late/Ptolemaic Period.

Male Anthropomorphic Deities

(Right) The scholar and architect Imhotep is often shown enthroned and accorded full attributes of divinity in images from the iMte Period and Graeco-Roman era.

(Below) In the Ptolemaic Period inner sanctuary of the temple of Hatshepsut at Deir ei-Bahri, Imhotep was venerated along with the deified Amenophis Son of Hapu (not shown).

Virtual medical demigod within a century or so of his death seems to indicate that he may well have been a highly skilled physician. As a result of his reputation for learning, Imhotep was also linked to the cult of the god Thoth. The tomb of Imhotep has never been found, though it is possible that the large uninscribed mastaba numbered 3,518 at Saqqara is in fact that structure.