Tefibi

Tefibi (or Itj-ibj – It(.i)ib(.i)[1] – in a more modern reading) was an ancient Egyptian nomarch of the 13th nomos of Upper Egypt ("the Upper Sycamore") during the 10th Dynasty (c. 21st century BCE, during the First Intermediate Period). In addition, he also was hereditary prince, count, wearer of the royal seal, sole companion and high priest of Wepwawet. The main source about his life came from his biography, inscribed on the "tomb III" in Asyut.[2]

Tefibi (Itj-ibj)
Nomarch
of the 13th nomos of Upper Egypt
Drawing of a wall of Tefibi's tomb
PredecessorKhety I
SuccessorKhety II
Dynasty10th Dynasty
PharaohWahkare Khety and Merykare
FatherKhety I
ChildrenKhety II
BurialAsyut, tomb III

It is generally assumed that Tefibi was the second of a trio of related nomarchs datable to the Herakleopolite period; he was likely preceded by his father Khety and followed by his son, also named Khety.[1]

Biography

He was member of a long line of nomarchs in Asyut with strong bonds of loyalty and friendship towards the Herakleopolite dynasty, and seems that he continued the policy of good governance pursued by his father Khety I: in fact, Tefibi praised the safety and the respect of the laws in his nomos.[3]
When the Thebans extended their influences on Thinis and Abydos, the Herakleopolite pharaoh (who is generally believed to be Wahkare Khety) and Tefibi rallied their troops, and swiftly regained Thinis. Their undisciplined soldiers sacked the sacred necropolis, as reported by the king himself in the Teaching for King Merykare.[4]

Tefibi died during the reign of king Merykare, who installed Khety II, son of the deceased, as nomarch in Asyut.

References
  1. Donald B. Spanel, in Donald B. Redford (ed), The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt vol. 1, Oxford University Press, 2001, pp. 154-6.
  2. James Henry Breasted, Ancient Records of Egypt, vol 1, 1907, The University of Chicago Press, § 391 ff.
  3. William C. Hayes, in The Cambridge Ancient History, vol 1, part 2, 1971 (2008), Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-077915, p. 469.
  4. Hayes, op. cit., p. 466-467.

Further reading
  • Spanel, Donald B., "The Herakleopolitan Tombs of Kheti I, Jt(.j)jb(.j), and Kheti II at Asyut", Orientalia, 58, 1989, pp. 301–14.
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