Difference between revisions of "16. Imhotep"

Latest revision as of 18:21, 5 May 2016

Imhotep, or "he who cometh in peace," was born in the Third Dynasty in Ankhtowe, a suburb of Memphis. Imhotep was born a commoner, but his intelligence, determination, and natural talents allowed him to rise to the position of chief architect to the pharaoh Djoser. Imhotep was considered the first known genius in history and was responsible for the world's first known monumental stone building- the Step Pyramid at Sakkara (which took 20 years to complete). Imhotep was also an architect, physician, doctor, priest, sage, poet, vizier, chief minister, sculptor, scribe, and astronomer. Imhotep's influence lasted long after his death. In the New Kingdom he was venerated as the patron of scribes, and was also described as the son of Ptah, chief god of Memphis. During the Late Period his veneration extended to deification and he became a local god of wisdom and medicine at Memphis. Imhotep was one of the only two mortal Egyptians that ever reached the position of full gods. He was worshiped even in Greece where he was identified with their god of medicine, Aslepius.