Khenmes

Khenmes was an Egyptian vizier during the early 13th Dynasty, in the late Middle Kingdom.^[1] One monument associates him with king Sekhemkare. He is believed to have resided in Itjtawy in Lower Egypt.^[2]

Khenmes
Vizier
Dynasty	Thirteenth Dynasty
Spouse	Senebtisy
Mother	Sat-Khenty-Khety

Biography

Family

The mother of the vizier was a certain woman called Sat-khenty-khety.^[3] 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 (ṯꜣtj). 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 (BM EA 75196)
• jrj-pꜥt; ḥꜣtj-ꜥ; jmj-rꜣ njwt; ṯꜣtj (de Morgan, Cat. I, 26 (186 (right)))

Attestations

Khenmes is known for sure only from two sources. A fragment of a statue in the British Museum (EA75196). 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.^[4][5]

de Morgan, Cat. I, 26 186 | At the Aswan-Philae road a rock inscription by vizier Khenmes.^[6] It mentions his mother and two children. His wife may be Senebtify.^[7]

Weaker attestations

Aswan 1314 (weak) | At Elephantine, a stela which may relate to his family.^[8] Family members seems different, Ameny not mentioned.

Khartoum 2650 (weak) | At Semna, a table belonging to Ameny, who may have been the son of Khenmes.^[9] However, the name Ameny was common and this may refer to a different person.

P. Ramesseum 18 (weak) | At the Ramesseum, a hieratic text which mentions a reporter named Khenmes.^[10] Only the name is similar with a different title.