In the Old Kingdom, the 'Pyramid Cities' were supervised by the officials called
imy-r niwt mr, ‘overseers of the pyramid city’. In this paper I have analyzed the historical change of this title and social standings of its holders.
(1) There were two types for the title of ‘overseer of the pyramid city’, one with each pyramid name and another without it. We can find the former title through the Fifth and Sixth Dynasties in the documents, but it disappeared by the end of the Sixth Dynasty. On the other hand, the latter title did not appear until the end of the Fifth Dynasty. Most officials with these two titles were classified as dignitary after the end of the Fifth Dynasty. However, holders of
imy-r niwt mr without pyramid name belonged to higher rank than those who had
imy-r niwt mr with pyramid name. And the title of
imy-r niwt mr with pyramid name was usually held by Memphite officials, but most holders of another title were officials in Upper Egypt, especially after the later Sixth Dynasty.
(2) And there was also the third title,
imy-r mr, ‘overseer of the Pyramid’. This title preceded
imy-r niwt mr and existed through the Old Kingdom. But all holders of
imy-r mr were lower class officials in Memphis. So
imy-r mr is thought to be under the control of
imy-r niwt mr after the Fifth Dynasty.
(3) These differences in appearance and social standings of three offices mean that the end of the Fifth and Sixth Dynasties were turning points in the administration of pyramid cities. It suggests that administrative reforms of pyramid cities occurred at these periods. It has been said that there were governmental reforms at the same periods. Therefore, we can conclude that the administrative changes of pyramid cities were parts of reformations of central government. And also the position of pyramid cities in the whole structure of control had risen gradually in the latter half of the Old Kingdom.
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