Proceedings of the Society of Biblical Archaeology

Vat6: SOCIETYOF BIBLICAL ARCII.COLOGY. [189a

V~^£. -hocameafterthe^Jgjandthe fi}$\ on

the ancient tablets were personsboundby religious duties of an

officialnature. QueenMeriseanchwas 0 "^=» hesiturit. Thisdoes
not mean thatshe was a 'great favourite,'but that she was 'arch-
priestess' of some religiousbody.
This rapid enumeration of some of the most frequent and
importantEgyptian titlesis, without entering into minordetails,
sufficient to direct attention to the striking fact that, for many
centuriesof the Egyptian monarchy (which in theory always re
mained a theocracy), almostevery nobleand wealthypersonage
employed in the administration of the different departments of
the State,belongedto one or more of the many priesthoods of
the country.

362