I was finalising the next issue of Nile Magazine when I came across this photo of your editor (me) and my son Dylan. We had such a great time in Egypt, and Dylan would go back in a heartbeat.
In this photo we are at the wonderful little tomb chapel of Ihy at Saqqara.
Ihy was a high priest who served two kings; one of whom had been dead for over 300 years.
Ihy lived during the reign of the Middle Kingdom pharaoh, Amenemhet I, (12th Dynasty, ca. 1960 b.c.)
Part of his job description was to recite prayers and make offerings for his other master, the Old Kingdom pharaoh, Teti (6th Dynasty, ca. 2340 b.c.), whose funerary cult was still alive and well after 300 years.
For his loyal service, Ihy was granted the privilege of being buried close to Teti’s pyramid.
Of course, there may have also been the expectation that Ihy would continue to serve his king forever—a job for life, after death.
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