Imhotep is one of the few Egyptian gods Egyptian mythology is the collection of myths from ancient Egypt, which describe the actions of the Egyptian gods as a means of understanding the world around them. The beliefs that these myths express are an important part of ancient Egyptian religion. Myths appear frequently in Egyptian writ…Egyptian mythology
Djoser
Djoser was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the 3rd dynasty during the Old Kingdom and the founder of this epoch. He is also known by his Hellenized names Tosorthros and Sesorthos. He was the son of king Khasekhemwy and queen Nimaathap, but whether he also was the direct throne successor …
What is Imhotep religion?
God of medicine He was revered in the region of Thebes as the "brother" of Amenhotep, son of Hapu – another deified architect – in the temples dedicated to Thoth. Because of his association with health, the Greeks equated Imhotep with Asklepios, their own god of health who also was a deified mortal.
When did Imhotep become a god?
Imhotep was elevated to the status of a full deity after the Persian conquest of Egypt in 525 BCE. He was the only Egyptian mortal aside from Amenhotep to be deified.
Why is Imhotep the god of medicine?
Imhotep is thought to have diagnosed and treated over 200 diseases in his lifetime including tuberculosis, appendicitis, gout, gallstones, and arthritis. He also performed surgery and he may have also founded the first ever school of Medicine in Memphis.
Who is Imhotep in the Bible?
Imhotep, otherwise known as Chancellor of the King of Egypt, Doctor, First in line after the King of Upper Egypt, Administrator of the Great Palace, Hereditary Nobleman, High Priest of Heliopolis, Builder, Chief Carpenter, Chief Sculptor, and Maker of Vases in Chief, lived in the 27th century BCE.
Why is Imhotep so powerful?
Imhotep had powers of supernatural magic such as hypnotizing people, telepathy, enslaving descendants of inhabitants of Ancient Egypt, causing heart attacks with magic, unholy powers and immortality.
What color was Imhotep?
The real Imhotep (his name means, "the one, who comes in peace, is with peace,”) was Black, Egyptian and was worshipped as a demigod in the ancient world.
Why was Imhotep buried alive?
This iteration of Imhotep was entombed alive for attempting to steal the Manacle of Osiris instead of reviving his lover Anck-Su-Namun.
Who is the true father of medicine?
HippocratesHippocrates is considered to be the father of modern medicine because in his books, which are more than 70. He described in a scientific manner, many diseases and their treatment after detailed observation.
What color was Imhotep?
The real Imhotep (his name means, "the one, who comes in peace, is with peace,”) was Black, Egyptian and was worshipped as a demigod in the ancient world.
Why was Imhotep buried alive?
This iteration of Imhotep was entombed alive for attempting to steal the Manacle of Osiris instead of reviving his lover Anck-Su-Namun.
How important was Imhotep during his time in Egypt?
Imhotep was an ancient Egyptian architect, physician, astronomer, priest, politicians, and scribe of the 27th century BCE. He was one of the most influential figures in the rise of Egyptian civilization as we know it and one of the first great scholars in human history.
Who was the first pharaoh of Egypt?
NarmerMany scholars believe the first pharaoh was Narmer, also called Menes. Though there is some debate among experts, many believe he was the first ruler to unite upper and lower Egypt (this is why pharaohs hold the title of “lord of two lands”).
What role did Imhotep play at the court of King Djoser?
Imhotep had high standing in King Djoser’s court, according to an inscription found at the Step Pyramid complex near Memphis. He is called chief of...
What did Imhotep accomplish as an architect?
Imhotep is thought to be the architect of the Step Pyramid built at the necropolis of Saqqarah in Memphis. The pyramid was intended as the burial p...
When did Imhotep become a deity?
Imhotep was elevated to the status of a full deity after the Persian conquest of Egypt in 525 BCE. He was the only Egyptian mortal aside from Amenh...
Who was Imhotep's father?
Not until the Persian conquest of Egypt in 525 bce was Imhotep elevated to the position of a full deity, replacing Nefertem in the great triad of Memphis, shared with his mythological parents Ptah, the creator of the universe, and Sekhmet, the goddess of war and pestilence.
When was Imhotep elevated to the status of a full deity?
Imhotep was elevated to the status of a full deity after the Persian conquest of Egypt in 525 BCE. He was the only Egyptian mortal aside from Amenhotep to be deified. He was worshipped as a god of medicine in both Egypt and Greece, where he was equated with Asclepius, and his cult reached its zenith in Greco-Roman times.
How long did Imhotep live after his death?
Imhotep’s reputation as the reigning genius of the time, his position in the court, his training as a scribe, and his becoming known as a medical demigod only 100 years after his death are strong indications that he must have been a physician of considerable skill.
Where is Imhotep's name on the statue of Djoser?
Imhotep’s high standing in Djoser’s court is affirmed by an inscription bearing his name on a statue of Djoser found at the site of the Ṣaqqārah pyramid. The inscription lists a variety of titles, including chief of the sculptors and chief of the seers.
Who built the pyramids?
Imhotep is thought to be the architect of the Step Pyramid built at the necropolis of Saqqarah in Memphis. The pyramid was intended as the burial place of King Djoser. Consisting of six steps and reaching a height of 200 feet, the pyramid is the oldest extant monument of hewn stone known to the world.
Was Imhotep a physician?
Although no contemporary account has been found that refers to Imhotep as a practicing physician, ancient documents illustrating Egyptian society and medicine during the Old Kingdom ( c. 2575– c. 2130 bce) show that the chief magician of the pharaoh’s court also frequently served as the nation’s chief physician.
Who is Imhotep?
Biography of Imhotep, Ancient Egyptian Architect, Philosopher, God. Pyramid of Djoser, a step pyramid considered the first pyramid built in Egypt. K. Kris Hirst is an archaeologist with 30 years of field experience. Her work has appeared in scholarly publications such as Archaeology Online and Science.
Who was Imhotep in the Old Kingdom?
During his lifetime, which intersected Djoser's (3rd dynasty, 2667–2648 BCE), Imhotep was an administrator at the Old Kingdom capital of Memphis. Djoser 's monumental burial complex called "The Refreshment of the Gods" included Saqqara's step pyramid, as well as stone temples surrounded by protective walls. Inside the main temple are large columns, another innovation by the man described as "prince, royal seal-bearer of the king of Lower Egypt, the high priest of Heliopolis, director of sculptors."
What was the name of the temple that Hippocrates visited?
The Greek physician Hippocrates (c. 460–377 BCE) is said to have been inspired by the books kept at the Asklepion temple. By the Ptolemaic period (332–30 BCE), Imhotep had become the focus of a growing cult.
Where is Imhotep buried?
That led scholars to conclude that Imhotep was in charge of building the funerary complex at Saqqara, including the Step Pyramid, where Djoser would be buried.
When was Imhotep bronze?
There are a few Late Period (664-332 BCE) bronze figurines of Imhotep, illustrated in the seated position of a scribe with an open papyrus on his lap—the papyrus is sometimes inscribed with his name.
Where did Imhotep's legend come from?
It is possible that Imhotep's legend as a physician dates from the Old Kingdom as well. The Edwin Smith Papyrus is a 15-foot long scroll looted from a tomb in the mid-19th century CE which details the treatment of 48 cases of trauma, the details of which simply astounds modern physicians.
Where is Imhotep's sanctuary?
A sanctuary at Hatshepsut' s Deir el-Bahari in Thebes is dedicated to Imhotep, and he is represented in the temple at Deir-el-Medina.
What was Imhotep the god of?
Despite being a master scholar in various fields, in Egypt, Imhotep was deifies to be the god of wisdom and medicine. After his deification, he was identified with Asclepius, a Greek medicine god.
Who is Imhotep in Egypt?
Born in 27th century, Egypt, Imhotep was no only a physician but also an architect, astrologer, scribe, politician and priest. He is a renowned scholar and contributed greatly to Egypt’s civilization. Apart from Amenhotep, he is the only other Egyptian to be deified.
What was Imhotep's role as a vizier?
As a vizier, it was his duty to oversee everything in the land and only the finest educated could hold that position. Statuette of Imhotep. He was also a spiritual advisor, closely worked with the king and in charge of the judicial system. Despite as being a vizier of Djoser, it is architectural capabilities that put him on the map.
Where is Imhotep's tomb?
According to general opinion, Imhotep’s grave would be hidden in the Saqqara area , perhaps near – or even below – the step pyramid of Djoser.
Did Imhotep get deified?
They achieved an even higher divine status after death. Very few non-royals went through deification and Imhotep was one of them.
Was Imhotep the father of medicine?
Although the step pyramid is considered his greatest achievement, he is also remembered for his medical treatises, where he considers that diseases and injuries are of natural origin rather than punishments sent by the gods or caused by spirits or curses.
Who is Imhotep?
Inventor of the pyramid, author of ancient wisdom, architect, high priest, physician, astronomer, and writer, Imhotep's many talents and vast acquired knowledge had such an effect on the Egyptian people that he became one ...
Who was Imhotep's father?
Imhotep was also a member of the great triad of Memphis, with Ptah, Imhotep's father among the gods, and Sekhmet, a goddess associated with childbirth.
Why did Imhotep build the tomb?
Imhotep wanted the tomb to accommodate the Pharaoh's rise into the heavens. To do this, he planned to improve upon the flat, rectangular mastabas, or built-in benches, which were the traditional tombal structures. The pyramid was raised on top of the base mastabas in five smaller steps, one on top of the other.
What was the role of the Vizier in Egypt?
As vizier, Imhotep was chief advisor to Zoser in both religious and practical matters, and he controlled the departments of the Judiciary (court system), Treasury, War, Agriculture, and the General Executive.
Who was Imhotep in the 3rd dynasty?
It is known that Imhotep was a contemporary (living in the same time period) of the Pharaoh, or king of Egypt, Zoser (also known as Neterikhet) of the Third Dynasty. But estimates of the era of his reign vary by as much as three hundred years, falling between 2980 and 2600 B.C.E. Imhotep's father, Kanofer, a celebrated architect, ...
Where was Imhotep born?
Second in a long line of architects. Imhotep, or "he who cometh in peace," was born in Ankhtowe, a suburb of Memphis, Egypt. The month and day of his birth are noted precisely as the sixteenth day of Epiphi, third month of the Egyptian harvest (corresponding to May 31) but the year is not definitely recorded.
Who was the Egyptian astronomer and a physician?
Inventor of the pyramid, author of ancient wisdom, architect, high priest, physician, astronomer, and writer, Imhotep's many talents and vast acquired knowledge had such an effect on the Egyptian people that he became one of only a handful of individuals of nonroyal birth to be deified, or promoted to the status of a god.
What is the background of Imhotep?
Uncovering the background of Imhotep has proved to be a Herculean task due to the nature of Egyptian literacy. During the time that Imhotep lived – the Third Dynasty of the Old Kingdom (2600s BC) – pharaonic culture was in one of its earliest phases and although writing had been discovered approximately 500 years earlier, its use was still not widespread. Most extant texts from the period concern religion or the government and few mention anyone by name who is not a member of the royal house. With that said, Imhotep’s deeds were so great that he was briefly mentioned in some contemporary Egyptian texts – the inscription of his name on the base of a statue of King Djoser being one of the more prominent references.
How tall was the pyramid in Egypt?
Djoser’s pyramid dwarfed all other monuments built in Egypt before the king’s reign. Surrounding the pyramid stood a thirty-four foot high, 5,397 foot long limestone wall. Within the confines of the wall, in the shadow of the pyramid, were a number of smaller temples, pavilions, and altars. The pyramid itself was built in six stages, with all of the constituent mastabas combining to a height of 197 feet and containing 11,668,000 cubic feet of stone. Imhotep’s creation was truly magnificent as it inspired Egyptians in the Fourth Dynasty in order to improve upon his methods to ultimately create the first “true pyramids.” As impressive as Imhotep’s efforts were to build Egypt’s first pyramid, he also attained fame for his work in the fields of medicine and general scholarship.
Did Imhotep convert to Christianity?
The reverence that Imhotep received from generations of Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, though, eventually came to an end when Egyptians began converting in large numbers to Christianity. Imhotep’s name became obscure and he was largely forgotten until the emergence of the discipline of Egyptology in the nineteenth century.
What is Imhotep's name?
His name in ancient Egypt translates to “He Who Comes in Peace”. To the Greeks, Imhotep was known as “Imouthes”.
How long did Imhotep live?
It’s been estimated that Imhotep lived from around 2667 BCE to 2600 BCE. Owing to an inadequate amount of archaeological evidence, not much is known about his family. What is known, however, is that: the great sage Imhotep was born a commoner. Scholars reason that it was his sheer talents and natural wisdom that enabled him to rise from a lowly ranked temple priest to the top of the social hierarchy of ancient Egypt.
What were some examples of titles that Imhotep gave?
Some examples of Imhotep’s titles are: First After the Ruler of Upper Egypt; The High Priest of Heliopolis; Chief Administrator of the Great Palace and; Sculptor of the King’s Vases.
Who was the chief architect of Egypt after the death of King Djoser?
According to ancient.eu, Imhotep continued in his capacity as chief architect of Egypt after the death of King Djoser. He served the likes of Sekhemkhet, Khaba and Huni.
What is Imhotep famous for?
Imhotep is a famous and somewhat mysterious figure from Egyptian history. Imhotep is often credited with major advances in architecture and medicine. Although common-born, he rose to become the primary adviser to the Pharaoh and was later deified by the Egyptian people. Legend associates Imhotep with saving Egypt from a seven-year famine.
How did Imhotep and Joseph relate?
However, according to the Bible, Joseph interprets the Pharaoh’s dream, not his own. Imhotep cured the drought by improving the worship of a particular Egyptian deity; Joseph simply used his God-given talents to prepare the people for a long famine.
What did Imhotep do to help Egypt?
Imhotep’s deliverance of Egypt involved his receiving a dream from one of the Egyptian gods and counseling the Pharaoh on the best way to make amends with the offended deity.
What is the parallel between Imhotep and Joseph?
Reading the Bible, one can see many parallels to Imhotep in Joseph, described in Genesis chapters 37 through 41. Joseph comes to Egypt as a common man—actually a slave— and rises to become the right-hand man of the Pharaoh. His counsel, which partly involves interpreting dreams, saves Egypt from a seven-year-long famine. Joseph is heralded for his wisdom and success above and beyond what would have been expected of anyone lacking royal blood in that era.
When did Imhotep and Djoser live?
First and foremost, Imhotep and Djoser lived somewhere around the 27th century BC. Scholars differ about exactly when the Exodus might have occurred, but most of the estimates fall somewhere between the 20th and 13th centuries BC. Any time within those dates would require much longer than the 400 years that Israel was in Egypt ( Exodus 12:40;
What was the name of the pyramid that the Pharaohs built?
Prior to that time, Pharaohs were buried in low, rectangular structures called mastaba. Imhotep’s design used a creative combination of stone and architecture to create a “step pyramid.”. This building was significantly larger, more durable, and more beautiful than the tombs that preceded it.
Was Imhotep a religious man?
While history describes Imhotep as a deeply religious man, his devotion was not to the God of Israel, but to Ptah, one of many Egyptian deities. The Bible does not mention Joseph’s involvement in architecture, particularly not of a tomb for the Pharaoh, though this does not necessarily mean he had no such duties.
Imhotep in Egyptian Mythology
Appearance and Reputation
- There are a few Late Period (664-332 BCE) bronze figurines of Imhotep, illustrated in the seated position of a scribe with an open papyrus on his lap—the papyrus is sometimes inscribed with his name. These figurines were made thousands of years after his death, and indicate Imhotep's role as a philosopher and teacher of scribes.
Architect
- During his lifetime, which intersected Djoser's (3rd dynasty, 2667–2648 BCE), Imhotep was an administrator at the Old Kingdom capital of Memphis. Djoser's monumental burial complex called "The Refreshment of the Gods" included Saqqara's step pyramid, as well as stone temples surrounded by protective walls. Inside the main temple are large columns, another innovation b…
Philosopher
- Although there is no surviving text convincingly authored by Imhotep, by the Middle Kingdom, Imhotep was remembered as an honored philosopher, and as the author of a book of instruction. By the late New Kingdom (ca 1550–1069 BCE), Imhotep was included among the seven great ancient sages of the Egyptian world associated with literature: Hardjedef, Imhotep, Neferty, Khet…
Priest and Healer
- The classical Greeks considered Imhotep a priest and a healer, identifying him with Asclepius, their own god of medicine. A temple dedicated to Imhotep was built at Memphis, known to the Greeks as the Asklepion, between 664–525 BCE, and near it was a famous hospital and school of magic and medicine. This temple and the one at Philae were both places of pilgrimage for sick p…
Imhotep in Modern Culture
- In the 20th century, several horror films featuring Egyptological plotlines included a mummy regenerated into a ghastly living form. For unknown reasons, the producers of the 1932 Boris Karloff movie "The Mummy" named this poor fellow "Imhotep," and the 1990s–2000s Brendan Fraser movies continued the practice. Quite a comedown for the genius philosopher architect! I…
Sources
- Hart, George. "The Routledge Dictionary of Egyptian Gods and Goddesses." 2nd ed. London: Routledge, 2005.
- Hurry, J. B. Imhotep. "The Vizier and Physician of King Zoser and Afterwards the Egyptian God of Medicine." Humphrey Milford: Oxford University Press, 1926.
- Teeter, Emily. "Amunhotep Son of Hapu at Medinet Habu." The Journal of Egyptian Archaeolo…
- Hart, George. "The Routledge Dictionary of Egyptian Gods and Goddesses." 2nd ed. London: Routledge, 2005.
- Hurry, J. B. Imhotep. "The Vizier and Physician of King Zoser and Afterwards the Egyptian God of Medicine." Humphrey Milford: Oxford University Press, 1926.
- Teeter, Emily. "Amunhotep Son of Hapu at Medinet Habu." The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology81 (1995): 232-36.
- Van Middendorp, Joost J., Gonzalo M. Sanchez, and Alwyn L. Burridge. "The Edwin Smith Papyrus: A Clinical Reappraisal of the Oldest Known Document on Spinal Injuries." European Spine Journal19.11 (...
