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Overseer of All Works of the King Djedefhor 𓆓𓂧𓆑𓅃 | |
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| Died | 2530 BC Giza, Egypt |
Djedefhor, or Hardjedef, was a vizier to his father, Pharaoh Khufu. Born in the Golden Age of the Old Kingdom's peak of economic and military power, he was the son of Pharaoh Khufu, who commissioned the Pyramid of Giza, and his mother was the Great Royal Wife Meritites I, Khufu's main wife. Djedefhor competed with his half-brothers; his brother Kawab was the original crown prince but died unexpectedly and was replaced by his other brother, Djedefre, and later Khafre, who commissioned the Sphinx. Djedefhor married and had a family of his own, but records never show he became Pharaoh; instead, he was a vizier with the title of Overseer of All Works of the King.[1]
Hardjedef is arguably the first recorded philosopher, with the oldest philosophical texts that have survived. However, it is important to recognize that there could be older ones, as the vast majority of human history is undocumented.[1]
Djedefhor and Hemiunu were the chief architects and he was the minister of public works under Khufu's reign. He was likely responsible for managing the peasantry, quarry expeditions, and logistics, as required for the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza. He also held the title "Privy to the Secret of His Father," which meant he was part of his father's inner circle of trusted advisors.[1]
Philosophy[edit | edit source]
Hardjedef's philosophy was rooted in Ma'at, the concept of balance, cosmic order, truth, and justice, alongside Isfet, viewed as the force that corrupts personal freedom and free will, leading us to take actions of a chaotic nature, such as violence or immoral actions.[1]
Hardjedef stated that one must be one's own biggest self-critic, as before leading others or expecting respect, one ought to fix one's own flaws.[1]
"Cleanse yourself before your own eyes, lest another cleanse you."
Hardjedef was adamant about the foundation of one's life, stating:[1]
"If you are an excellent one, you should found your household. Marry a woman, Mistress of the Heart; a son will be born to you. It is for the son you build a house, when you make a place for yourself."
An excellent one entails being an active pillar in one's family, friendships, and community, while a Mistress of the Heart entails a woman who has mastered her emotions. The final point is that the earthly wealth you accrue is ultimately not for you, but rather for your children.[1]
Hardjedef also mentioned the earthly nature of wealth, stating:[1]
"Make good your dwelling in the graveyard. Make worthy your station in the West. Given that death humbles us, given that life exalts us, the house of death is for life."
He meant that your tomb is a vessel for your afterlife; the west is what they called their purgatory.[1]
He continues this by explaining how one secures this: [1]
"Provide your farm with every good thing. Endow your ka-priest... for it is the ka-priest who will make your offerings flourish."
A ka-priest in the Old Kingdom was a priest you paid to bring food and drink to your tomb after your death as a way to sustain your ka (soul).[1]