1479 B.C.E.–1353 B.C.E.

Royal Scribe
Priest
Overseer

Special Status.

Amenhotep, son of Hapu, was born during the reign of pharaoh Thuthmosis III in the town of Athribis, in the Delta. His father was Hapu, and his mother was Itu. As a young man, he attended the temple school and learned "the words of Thoth" (hieroglyphs). Amenhotep served as an official under King Amenhotep III (r. 1390–1352 B.C.E.) of the Eighteenth Dynasty. He was first appointed as a royal scribe and priest in the temple of Horus-Khentikheti. He was later promoted to the office of "Scribe of Recruits," where he was responsible for organizing the manpower of Egypt for the king. From there he rose to the position of "Overseer of all the works of the King." In this position he was responsible for the construction of the king's...