Architects

Since architecture was Egypt's principal art, all others being more or le acce ory or subsidiary, it is natural that of all artists the architects should have been most honoured. The names of many are recorded on stelae in museums and in tombs. The office sometimes appears to have been hereditary, and sometimes even a royal prince did not disdain to take the office of "chief of all the constructions of Upper and Lower Egypt," the holder of which was apparently highly honoured by the king. At times it was combined with the priestly office, as in the case of Bak-en-Khensu, first prophet of Amen, and principal architect at Thebes under Seti I. and Ramses II., whose sepulchral statue is preserved at Munich. The most famous architect whose name has come down to us is Sen-mut, the favourite of Hatshepsut, and builder of Der-el-Bahri.