office, and the vizier had to be responsive to requests and
the needs of individual citizens.
Instructions for Merikaré A didactic text that dates to
the First Intermediate Period and is believed to be the
work of KHETY III(r. c. 2100 B.C.E.), designed as a moral
treatise for his son, MERIKARÉ, who succeeded on the
throne at HIERAKONPOLIS, the Instructionsoffer a remark-
able documentation of that historical period, a time of
rival kingdoms.
In the InstructionsKhety III cites a raid on THINIS
conducted by his allies from ASSIUT. That assault ravaged
Thinis and desecrated the graves in the local necropolis,
resulting in a general outrage in the land and a Theban
military campaign that led to the ruin of the Khety line.
The text clearly outlines the duties of a wise ruler as well
and echoes the moral precepts of earlier dynasties on the
Nile. Khety III bade his son and heir to imitate the great
pharaohs of the past and to promote equal justice, com-
passion, and prudence in military campaigns, expressing
regret that such a devastation of Thinis had come about
in his name. The text is included in a papyrus in St.
Petersburg, Russia, and dates in its surviving form to the
New Kingdom (1550–1070 B.C.E.) when it was obviously
copied by a scribe.
Instructions of Amenemhet I A classic text that is
reportedly from the reign of AMENEMHET I (r.
1991–1962 B.C.E.) serving as a last testament for his
son and heir, SENWOSRETI(r. 1971–1926 B.C.E.), the
actual text was probably composed by a scribe named
Aktoy, who served Senwosret I. The Instructionswarn
against trusting anyone while holding royal powers.
Senwosret I was coregent when Amenemhet I was as-
sassinated by a harem revolt. Amenemhet I was speak-
ing posthumously, in this text, describing his ordeal
and listing his accomplishments. There are some 70
copies of the Instructions of Amenemhet surviving,
particularly in the Milligen Papyrus and the Papyrus
Sallier II.
Instructions of Prince Djedefhor This is a text proba-
bly dating to the Fourth Dynasty. Djedefhor was the son
of KHUFU(Cheops; r. 2551–2528 B.C.E.) and one of the
most respected sages of the Old Kingdom. This docu-
ment is the earliest recorded “Instruction”from Egyptian
literature. Only part of the original has survived on a
wooden tablet and ostraca. Djedefhor wrote the Instruc-
tionfor his son, Awibré. In it he urges Awibré to marry
and “raise a stout son.” He also states that “the house of
death is for life.. .” a spiritual admonition concerning
eternal anticipations.
Instructions of Ptah-hotep See MAXIMS OF PTAH-HOTEP.
Instructions to the Vizier Rekhmiré A text on the
wall of REKHMIRÉ’s tomb at THEBES, the vizier of TUTHMO-
SIS III(r. 1479–1425 B.C.E.), the Instructionsreiterate the
commands given to Rekhmiré and clearly define the
obligations of the vizier, who is called “the First Man,”
the commoner who was to serve as an intermediary
between the god-king and the people of Egypt. The text
reiterates the traditions and ideals of Egypt, in operation
since “the time of the gods,” the beginning of all things,
when Ré emerged out of the chaos on the primeval
mound.Intef I–IV See INYOTEF.Intef (1)(fl. 20th century B.C.E.) Priest and mining expe-
dition leader of the Twelfth Dynasty
He served AMENEMHET I (r. 1991–1962 B.C.E.) as a
prophet of the god MIN(1) and as a leader of expeditions
for the crown. Intef led expeditions to WADI HAMMAMAT
and other desert sites, seeking quarries and mines. The
Egyptians were expanding their control of natural
resources in the Middle Kingdom Period (2040–1640
B.C.E.).Intef (2)(fl. 15th century B.C.E.)Governor and military
official of the Eighteenth Dynasty
He served TUTHMOSIS III(1479–1425 B.C.E.) as a military
aide. Originally from THINIS, Intef accompanied Tuthmo-
sis III on military campaigns as a personal attendant. In
time, Intef became the royal herald and governor of the
OASESin the western or LIBYAN DESERT. His biographical
account is on a stela in the Louvre in Paris.Intefoker (Inyotefoker)(fl. 20th century B.C.E.) Viz-
ier of the Twelfth Dynasty
He served AMENEMHET I(r. 1991–1962 B.C.E.) as VIZIER.
He was buried with his wife, Senet, at el-LISHT, the royal
necropolis. Sometimes listed as Inyotefoker, he also
served SENWOSRET I as the governor of the pyramidal
complex of Amenemhet I. His tomb was a long corridor
dug into the hillside, and it contained a shaft leading to a
burial chamber. Senet, who outlived Intefoker, was
buried farther up the hill. There is a possibility that Inte-
foker was considered a suspect in the murder of Amen-
emhet I. His tomb was mutilated, and his portrait was
removed from the painted scenes of paradise on the
walls.Intiu An Egyptian word used to designate the inha-
bitants of the Nile Valley in the predynastic period
(before 3,000 B.C.E.), the name was one of reverence,
translated as “pillar people.” Ancestor veneration
prompted such esteem for the pioneering groups of
Egypt in every generation.180 Instructions for Merikaré