PRISSE PAPYRUS
RAMESSEUM PAPYRI
RHIND PAPYRUS
SALLIER PAPYRI
SATIRICAL PAPYRUS
ST. PETERSBURG PAPYRUS
SMITH PAPYRUS, EDWIN
TURIN MINING PAPYRUS
VINDAB PAPYRUS 3873
WESTCAR PAPYRUS
WILBOUR PAPYRUSpapyrus scepter An amulet called the wadjor uadj,or
the papyrus column, the papyrus scepter was believed to
impart vigor, vitality, abundance, and virility to the
wearer. Made of glazed ware and decorative stones, the
amulet was shaped like a papyrus stem and bud. The
robust growth of the papyrus represented the heartiness
that was bestowed upon the wearer of the papyrus
scepter.
Par A divine form of the god AMUN, popular in THEBES
as a fertility symbol, Par was called “the Lord of the Phal-
lus.” He was brought to the fields in various agricultural
FESTIVALSto insure good harvests.
paradise This was the eternal abode available to the
deceased Egyptians judged worthy of eternal bliss by the
deity OSIRISand the FORTY-TWO JUDGESof the JUDGMENT
HALLSof OSIRIS. The goddess MA’AT and the god THOTH
aided in this determination. Such deceased Egyptians
were denoted as ma’at kheru,“true of voice.” The eternal
paradises of the Egyptians always contained water,
breezes, refreshments, and repose. Such edenic realms
were called the Lake of Flowers, the Lake of Reeds, A’aru,
Amenti, or Ma’ati. Ma’ati was the site beyond the grave
where the deceased buried scepters of crystals containing
flames of fire.
Paraetonium This was a harbor site on the Mediter-
ranean Sea, west of ALEXANDRIA, the modern MERSA
MATRUH. Ptolemaic (304–30 B.C.E.) in origin, Paraeto-
nium was built near a fortress dating to RAMESSES II(r.
1290–1224 B.C.E.), now called Zawiyet Umm el-Rakham.
Parasites(fl. fifth century B.C.E.)Royal woman of Persia
She was the consort of DARIUS II(r. 423–405 B.C.E.). A
noble woman, Parasites was recorded as politically ambi-
tious and wealthy. She was Darius II’s half sister. While he
was only the son of ARTAXERXES Iand a concubine, Para-
sites aided him in usurping the throne.
Parennefer(fl. 14th century B.C.E.) Palace official of the
Eighteenth Dynasty
He served AKHENATEN(r. 1353–1335 B.C.E.) as “the Royal
Butler, Clean of Hands.” Parennefer knew Akhenaten
from childhood and followed him to ’AMARNA(Akhe-
taten), the new capital, north of THEBES. Parennefer had
two tombs prepared, in ’Amarna and in Thebes. He was
buried in his Theban tomb, which contains depictions of
his honors and rewards.Paser (1)(fl. 15th century B.C.E.) Military official of the
Eighteenth Dynasty
Paser served AMENHOTEP II(r. 1427–1401 B.C.E.) as a
troop commander of the nation’s army. This role was an
ongoing military command, as Amenhotep II was militar-
ily active, maintaining the imperial gains of his father,
TUTHMOSIS III. Paser was buried with honors at THEBES.Paser (2)(fl. 13th century B.C.E.)Aristocratic and high-
ranking official of the Nineteenth Dynasty
He served SETI I(r. 1306–1290 B.C.E.) and RAMESSES II(r.
1290–1224 B.C.E.) as VIZIER. Paser’s father was NEBEN-
TERU, a high priest of AMUN, and his mother was an offi-
cial of the GOD’S WIFE OF AMUN. He was a hereditary
prince and count and the overseer of the city of THEBES.
In his later years he succeeded his father as high priest of
Amun and oversaw the building of Seti I’s tomb. A statue
of Paser is in the British Museum in London, and a
SCARAB pectoral bearing his name was found on the
mummy of an APISbull in SAQQARA. Reliefs in his tomb
enumerate the duties of vizier, giving daily transactions
in some instances.Paser (3)(fl. 12th century B.C.E.)Official of the Twenti-
eth Dynasty who brought grave robbers to justice
Paser served as the mayor of THEBESfor RAMESSES IX(r.
1132–1112 B.C.E.). In this capacity he investigated the
rampant vandalism and desecration of necropolis sites,
charging Prince PAWERO, the chief of necropolis sites,
with criminal activity. Paser suffered harassment,
threats, and abuse as a result, but he proved his accusa-
tions, bringing about Prince Pawero’s fall. The AMHERST
PAPYRUSand ABBOTTPAPYRUSdocument Paser’s faithful
service and the ordeals that he endured to put an end to
the rampant tomb robberies and desecration of the
dead.
See also TOMB ROBBERY TRIAL.pat A social caste of ancient Egypt, associated with the
god HORUSfrom early historical periods, the patmain-
tained hereditary titles, properties, and ranks and were
considered true aristocrats, normally part of vast nome
clans. The PYRAMID TEXTSof the Fifth and Sixth Dynasties
(2465–2150 B.C.E.) depict the pat and Horus, their
patron.29 6 papyrus scepter