2.1.4.5 While we have numerous references to “judges,” the details
are sparse.^121 One common title for a judge (fimy-r3 s“s3b) implies a
position within the legal branch of the vizirate.^122 A judge is men-
tioned in Weni’s biography (Urk. 1, 99) in connection with cases con-
cerning the king, the Royal Harem, and the Six Great Houses. Weni
(Urk. 1, 100), to be sure, boasts that he can conduct inquiries with-
out a “chief judge and vizier” or any other official being present.^1232.1.4.6 Officials other than those formally entitled “judges” prob-
ably fulfilled such functions on occasion.^124 Martin-Pardey even doubts
the existence of an independent judicial agency in the Old Kingdom
and that such titles as s3bshould be translated “judge.”^125 In tomb
biographies, the deceased often claims that he never abused his office
of judge: “I gave bread to the hungry, clothes to the naked. I have
never judged one of two contestants in a manner in which I could
deprive a son of his father’s property.”^126
Weni was involved in important legal cases as a “senior warden
of Hierakonpolis” (Urk. 1, 99). He also was apparently empowered
to conduct weighty investigations into harem conspiracies while still
an “overseer of the ›nty-“,” that is, an overseer of the mortuary
workers (Urk. 1, 101).^127
The wr m≈“m'w, “great one of the tens of Upper Egypt,” was
“possibly concerned with work-organisation as well as legal mat-
ters,”^128 and may have also exercised judicial authority.^129
Such titles as fimy-r s§s¢.t t“ n (Tenth Nome), “overseer of the
field-scribe of (Tenth Nome),” indicate an administrative mechanism(^121) Allam, “Richter,” col. 254; Boochs, Strafrechtliche Aspekte.. ., 39–40. On judg-
ing correctly, see Coulon, “Véracité.. .,” 121–22.
(^122) There are other similarly formed titles, e.g., “sub-overseer of the scribes of
the two Great Houses, right side of the palace” (cf. the common Old Kingdom
term for the court house “six great houses”; and ̇ry s“t3 n s≈m.t w'“master of that
which one alone judges”): Fischer, “Marginalia II,” 69. See also Allam, “Richter,”
cols. 255–56.
(^123) On the s3b r3 N¢n, see de Cenival, “A propos.. .,” 68–69.
(^124) Cf. Goedicke, Königliche Dokumente.. ., 186. See also Fischer, Varia Nova...,
132, 227.
(^125) “Richten.. .,” 157–58. Cf. Gödecken, Meten.. ., 69.
(^126) Inscription of Pepinakht (Urk. 1, 133)
(^127) See Kanawati, “Deux...”
(^128) Strudwick, Administration, 197.
(^129) Ibid., Van den Boorn, Vizier.. ., 33–34; Hafemann, “Arbeitspflicht im alten
Ägypten. I,” 8; Ryholt, Political Situation.. ., 92.
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