Statue of Amenhotep Son of Hapu

Amenhotep, Son of Hapu was one of the most important officials from the reign of Amenhotep III, he was renowned throughout Egyptian history as an architect and a sage, and worshiped alongside Imhotep as a god of medicine. Amenhotep worked his way up the administration until he became the king’s closest advisor, by this time he held the titles Royal Scribe and Overseer of the Works of the King.

Many statues of Amenhotep have been found, in this particular example he is shown as a young scribe wearing a short wig, and sitting cross-legged in the typical scribal position emphasizing his learning. His papyrus scroll is unrolled on his legs, and his scribal equipment is over his shoulder. The rolls of fat on his stomach represent his success.

Statue of Amenhotep, Son of Hapu. Hurghada Museum. JE 44861

Amenhotep, son of Hapu was a prominent figure during the reign of king Amenhotep III in the 14th century BC.

Statues of Amenhotep, son of Hapu, were created to honor and commemorate his achievements and contributions to the kingdom. These statues often depict him in a dignified and regal manner, showcasing his high status and close association with the king.

“After his death, his reputation grew and he was revered for his teachings and as a philosopher. He was also revered as a healer and eventually worshipped as a god of healing, like his predecessor Imhotep (Amenhotep and Imhotep are among the few non-royal Egyptians who were deified after their death, and until the 21st century, they were thought to be only two commoners to achieve this status).”

— The Divine Father: Religious and Philosophical Concepts of Divine Parenthood in Antiquity, by Felix Albrecht, Reinhard Feldmeier, Brill Academic Pub; Bilingual edition, 2004 (#aff)