Sekhemkhet 359which he advised his fellow Egyptians to obey the
pharaoh in all things. Such behavior, he suggested, led to
high offices and honors. The Loyalist Instruction was
inscribed on an ABYDOSstela and is now in the Louvre in
Paris, having been inscribed with a poem dedicated to
Amenemhet III.
This official had to take tours of the natural resource
sites to tally potential assets of the various regions.
Sehetepibré and his father, Tay, who also served as trea-
surer, left an inscription on a rock at ASWAN. The relief
that records their presence on the scene was carved onto
a cliff across from the ELEPHANTINEIsland.
See also EGYPTIAN NATURAL RESOURCES.
Seila This was a site bordering the FAIYUMterritory of
Egypt, south of el-LISHT.A PYRAMID was erected on a
desert spur at Seila. This pyramid, probably built by HUNI
(r. 2599–2575 B.C.E.), was constructed out of limestone
blocks. The pyramid was designed with four steps and
was 99 square feet at the base.
Seker See SOKAR.
Seker Boat See SOKAR BOAT.
Sekhaen-Ré(d. c. 1520 B.C.E.) Fifth ruler of the lesser
Hyksos Sixteenth Dynasty
This dynasty was contemporary with the Great HYKSOSof
the Fifteenth Dynasty at AVARIS. No monuments survive
from the reign of Sekhaen-Ré.
sekhem (1) This was the Egyptian term for the vital
force of a human being that serves as a companion in
eternity but is distinct from the KAand the BA.The term
translates literally as “to have mastery over something.”
sekhem (2) This was the Egyptian term for the powers
of a deity, normally written with additives. Osiris was
described as SEKHEM-O, having great power. Osiris’s
sekhemSCEPTERwas kept in the god’s shrine at ABYDOSto
demonstrate his magical attributes. This scepter had a
golden face at the top. Two crown feathers and two
cobras protected the face. The scepter was inlaid with
blue faience or with stones and was beribboned.
sekhem(3) This was the Egyptian term for royal acts
that aided or restored MA’ATin the land. These were phys-
ical acts in comparison to HEKA,ritual symbols. The mili-
tary campaigns of the pharaohs and the establishment of
just laws and traditions were all acts of sekhem,because
they insured the security and honor of Egypt. Each
PHARAOHdeclared that he was commanded by the gods to
restore ma’at.The double CROWNof Egypt, called pschent
by the Greeks, was originally named pa-sekhemtyas it
displayed the double powers of the rulers of the Two
Kingdoms, Upper and Lower Egypt.sekhem(4) They were the magical powers involved in
the MORTUARY RITUALS. Such powers were infused into the
mummy of the deceased through rituals and incantations.
The BOOKS OF THE DEADwas a repository of sekhem,and
mortuary priests were initiated into the ceremonies that
imparted such powers to the deceased. This form of
sekhem involved overcoming the obstacles facing the
dead in the journey to the paradise beyond the grave.
See also HEKA; MAGIC; PRIESTS.Sekhem-kha(fl. 28th century B.C.E.)Nobleman whose
Saqqara tomb became famous
Sekhem-kha’s tomb was designated at one time as the
resting place of DJETof the First Dynasty (2920–2770
B.C.E.). The tomb contains a burial chamber in which 300
bulls’ heads, fashioned out of clay and equipped with
actual horns, are on display. A symbol of royalty, such a
tomb decoration is unusual for a nobleman. Sekhem-kha
probably served Djet or DEN, Djet’s successor.Sekhemkharé(fl. 25th century B.C.E.)Princely vizier of
the Fourth Dynasty
A royal prince, he was the son of KHAFRE(Chephren; r.
2520–2494 B.C.E.). He did not inherit the throne but
served as VIZIER for the pharaohs of his royal line.
Sekhemkharé also counseled the early rulers of the Fifth
Dynasty (2465–2323 B.C.E.). In that dynasty the royal
power was maintained by a policy of allowing only mem-
bers of the royal family to hold the highest offices, and
outsiders were relegated to minor roles in the court or
government.Sekhemkhet (Djoserti)(d. 2061 B.C.E.)Third ruler of
the Third Dynasty
He reigned from 2611 B.C.E. until his death. His name
meant “Powerful in Body.” Sekhemkhet was the successor
of DJOSER. His name was inscribed on a cliff near WADI
MAGHARA, indicating some military or expeditionary cam-
paigns for the natural resources of the territory, the
turquoise mines of the SINAI.
Sekhemkhet built a pyramid at SAQQARA, southwest
of the STEP PYRAMID. This tomb was designed by IMHOTEP,
the architect of the Step Pyramid, but was never com-
pleted. The masonry wall of the tomb was 27 feet deep,
and the platform was 1700 feet on the north-south axis
and 600 feet wide. An unused single black SARCOPHAGUS
of alabaster was discovered in the pyramid, and a wooden
coffin was also found. The sarcophagus was T-shaped and
sealed but empty. A cache of funerary regalia was also dis-
covered in the pyramid. This treasure trove held amulets,
bracelets, a golden tube, and seals honoring Sekhemkhet’s
name.