Ancient Egyptian Office of “Master of Harbors and Docks” during the Reign of Psammethicus I

The author analyzes the functions of Ancient Egyptian office of Shipmasters (Demotic pA aA n mr; aA n mryt). According to Demotic “Petition of Peteise”, this office was held by two officials: Padiiset, son of Ankhsheshonk, and Sematawytefnakht. Both dignitaries appear in the Demotic “Petition” as high-ranking royal officials who administered middle Egyptian Her-acleopolis and Upper Egypt. Data from private monuments of these officials also demonstrate that they supervised the river navigation, ship provisioning, and their duties included judicial functions and police oversight. The author suggests that, due to the lack of specific regional titles from Thebes in the inscription on Sematawytefnakht’s statue Richmond 51.19.4+64.60, which contains a list of his epithets that emphasize his administrative duties and connection to the Saite king, the Shipmaster’s control over Thebes was exercised without him being integrated into the regional administration. The inscription on Padiiset’s fragmented statue (Stockholm NME 81) also high-lights the dignitary’s connection with both Middle Egypt and Sais in the Nile Delta. Moreover, Somtutefnakht’s private monuments point out to his high status at royal court by including several honorary titles and epithets and mentioning his royal descent. Thus, the assignment of Padiiset and Somtutefnakht as Shipmasters and governors of Heracleopolis and Upper Egypt could be connected with Psammethicus I’ policy of creating of a system of close ties with local rulers. In case of Heracleopolitan Shipmasters this system was also based on dynastic bonds. Such policy is similar to that of the Libyan rulers of the 1st Millenium BC.