Brick stamped with the cartouches of the High Priest of Amun, Menkheperre
Third Intermediate Period
Not on view
This stamped brick was found at Gebelein, within the fortress that enclosed a temple of Hathor. It bears the name and title of the powerful High Priest of Amun, Menkheperre, son of Painedjem I. During the 21st Dynasty, political power in Egypt was divided: the kings at Tanis ruled the north, while the High Priests of Amun governed the south from Thebes.
Around the 16th year of the reign of the Tanis king, Smendes (Nesbanebdjed), Painedjem I—then High Priest—began adopting royal titles, and appointed his son Masaharta to take on the role of High Priest of Amun. Menkheperre succeeded Masaharta as High Priest after his brother's death, ruling at Thebes while another brother, King Psusennes I, held power in the north at Tanis.
This brick is one of several discovered at Gebelein. A number of different stamps have been identified: some, like this one bearing the name and title of Menkheperre; another featuring the names of Menkheperre and his wife, Isetemkheb; one inscribed "Isetemkheb, daughter of the HIgh Priest of Amun": and yet another naming Menkheperre alongside his father, Painedjem I.
