Only one person had the gall to finally sit upon the throne and bring Kemet under order

BY DAVE RANKIN

The passing of Aye left a power vacuum, which needed to be filled, and only one person had the gall to finally sit upon the throne and bring Kemet under order.

Horemheb’s vast years of military experience and loyalty to the throne would serve him well. Especially since he was dubbed “Deputy of the Two Lands.” He was a direct successor to the throne by Tutankhamun himself. Only through a mix up with the previous nesew Aye, who also claimed direct divination, did he bide his time. It is here that I would like to introduce this week’s muse, the last nesew of the 18^th Dynasty, Horemheb.

Aside from the fact that he was born of a commoner, probably near the west bank of the Nile, there is very little information about the early life and times of Horemheb. What we do know is that Horemheb was a part of the Royal Armed Guards under nesew Akhenaten. Even though the French scholar Nicolas Grimal disputes this fact. Most references I have come across solidify the position that it was under Akhenaten where Horemheb was appointed Commander of the Army. It was under Tutankhamun where the distinction of “Deputy of the Two Lands” as a direct successor was bestowed upon him. There are also reports the title of “Deputy of the Two Lands” has been inscribed in Horemheb’s Memphis tomb near Saqqara.

While serving under the “boy king” Horemheb was able to conduct military campaigns in Syria, where Kemet had lost territories due to Hittite uprising. He was able to regain the Qadesh and Nuges areas to once again cement the domination of the region. However, these areas were won back by the Hittites after prince Zennanza died. As a point of reference, these events happened around the time of the famous “Hittite Letters” we mentioned in the past several entries.

Horemheb took the throne around 1319 BCE, approximately four years after the passing of Aye. As soon as he got there, he went to work. First, he married Mutnodjmet, Nefertiti’s sister. (Please note here, that the way through the throne has always been through the woman). With Mutnodjmet being of royal blood, the tradition was upheld. Next, Horemheb lived up to his Heru or Horus name “Powerful bull with wise decisions,” when he began erecting laws that would prevent the abuse of power. At that time certain officials had a number of privileges that they enjoyed under Akhenaten. So Horemheb set out to ensure a balance was established. He also was a favorite of the priests of Amun considering some of the reforms benefited them as well.

Like other nesew, Horemheb built a number of monuments. He enlarged a mortuary temple of Aye for his personal use. Horemheb also dedicated a rock temple to Amun & Tehuti near Gebel el-Silsila. However, it was at Karnak where Horemheb would devote his time towards his most prestigious projects. His work on the Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak and setting up three pylons is what he is most known for. Officially, the pylons were numbered as the second, ninth, and tenth. It was at the tenth pylon where a stele was built which had a decree that officially restored order to the nation.

Horemheb died with no male heirs after approximately thirteen years of rule and was buried in KV57. Thus bringing an end to the 18^th Dynasty. The late Theodore M. Davis discovered his tomb on February 22^nd, 1908. His findings were recorded in his book The Tombs of Harmhabi and Touatankhamanou.