Chief of the Phyles of Upper Egypt

Head of the Phylenes of Upper Egypt ( Jmj-r3-s3w-šmˁw ) was an ancient Egyptian title that is primarily used in the Old Kingdom (approx. 2700 to 2200 BC). The title appears with certainty for the first time at the beginning of the 4th dynasty with the prince Netjeraperef and is occupied by a total of 11 officials. Usually it appears in series of titles together with the title Greatest of the Ten of Upper Egypt . The first title holders, such as Netjeraperef and Iunu, come from the royal family. Phylenes were units of workers. The title seems to have been given to the officials who recruited workers in Upper Egypt for forced labor ( Corvée ), which were needed for royal projects such as the building of the pyramids.

literature

Ann Macy Roth: Egyptian phyles in the Old Kingdom. The evolution of a system of social organization (= Studies in Ancient Oriental Civilization. Vol. 48). Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, Chicago IL 1991, ISBN 0-918986-68-0 , pp. 73-74, 121, 212.