Senenmut, The Royal Steward. 18th Dynasty

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(18th Dynasty, part VIII)

Despite his humble origins, Senenmut rose through the ranks of the court to become Queen Hatshepsut's closest advisor, and tutor to her daughter Neferure. It was rumored that he owed his privileged position to intimate relations with the queen. Whatever the truth of the matter, Senenmut was not only Chief Architect and Overseer of Works, but was also Chief Steward of Amon, Steward of the barque "Amen-userhet', Overseer of the Granaries of Amon, of the Fields of Amon, of the Cattle of Amon, of the Gardens of Amon, and of the Weavers of Amon. He was unrivaled in the administration of the country, and only the Chief Priest of Amon, Hapuseneb (also vizier and architect of Hatshepsut's tomb) could match him in religious affairs.

Senenmut built two tombs for himself, one of the normal T-shaped plan of the New Kingdom, was amongst those of the other nobles in Sheikh Abd el-Qurna (no. 71), but his other one was much more presumptuous. The entrance to it was cut in a quarry to the north of the approach road to the Deir el-Bahari temple and just outside its temenos. This had a deep entrance stair heading north-north-west so that the chamber was located under the outer court of the temple. A sketch of Senenmut appears on the northern wall of the stairway entrance, but he had also represented himself kneeling and worshiping in a relief concealed behind the opened doors of the small shrines in the upper sanctuary of Queen Hatshepsut's temple.

(Above/Picture) Senenmut showing care to the princess daughter of Hatshepsut, Neferure.

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Tomb of Ineni - Nobles Tombs - Luxor Egypt. Part XIV

Tombs of the Nobles, Luxor, Egypt

Also called Enne, This was the architect who excavated the first tomb in the Valley of the Kings, that of Thutmose I. His tomb comprises a main chamber, the facade of which is formed of pillars which carry their
murals on the rear faces, and a corridor.
Three of the square pillars carry particularly interesting murals.
The first (a) is a hunting scene with a rearing hyena biting a broken arrow as a dog rushes the wounded creature from the rear and gazelles flee. The second (b) shows Ineni's country house and he and his wife are seen in the arbour (damaged) from whence he orders his gardener round the walled estate. On the third pillar (c) Ineni can be seen before a sumptuous feast.
On the left-hand rear wall of the first chamber (d) Ineni receives tributes from swarthy Nubians including two women who carry their babies on their backs (top row). Below he receives contributions from the peasants. This part of the mural is squared up for the draughtsman. On the right-hand wall (e) is a scene in poor condition of Ineni and his pet dog watching a parade of the estate animals including sheep, goats, flamingos and geese.
On the left-hand wall of the rear corridor (f) Ineni and his wife receive offerings. On the right-hand wall (g) are more funerary scenes and offerings. The roof is decorated.
In the niche at the rear are four seated statues of Ineni's wife Thuau, Ineni himself, his father Ineni, and his sister Aahhotep. (from left to right)