Khay (vizier)

The Ancient Egyptian Noble Khay, (Kh-'-y) was Vizier, in the latter part of the reign of Ramesses II, during the 19th Dynasty.
Khay
in hieroglyphs
Rock cut stela in the rock cut temple of Horemhab at Gebel el-Silsila. Khay is shown in the second register on the right
Not to be confused with Kay (vizier).
Khay
Vizier
Block statue of Khay in Cairo (CG 42165).
Dynasty19th Dynasty
PharaohRamesses II
FatherHai
MotherNub-em-niut
WifeYam
BurialLuxor

Family

A family stela from Abydos mentions that Khay was the son of Hai and Nub-em-niut. Khay's father was said to be greatly favored by the Lord of the Two Lands and a Troop Commander of the goodly god. Khay's mother Nub-em-niut was a chantress of Amun and Lady of the House. Khay's wife is named Yam.[1]

Life

Khay grew up as the son of the Troop Commander Hai. A stela from Abydos shows that Khay started his career as the First Royal Herald of the Lord of the Two Lands. He was charged with reporting the affairs of Egypt.[1] In year 26 of Ramesses II, Khay was appointed Vizier. He may have succeeded Paser in office. After year 40, Khay was in charge of announcing the sed jubilees held by Ramesses II.[2] In West Silsila a stela pronounces that "The Lord of Both Lands, Usermaatre Setepenre, Lord of Crowns, Ramesses II, given life like Re forever. His Majesty decreed that the Hereditary Noble and Count, God's Father beloved of the God, Guardian of Nekhen, Prophet of Maat, Judge and Dignitary, City-governor and Vizier, Khay, justified, be charged to proclaim the Jubilee festival in the entire land, throughout the South and the North." The previous sed festivals had been announced by the King's Son Khaemwaset and Khay both.

Burial

Khay was buried in Sheikh Abd el-Qurna, Thebes, where a mud brick pyramid belonging to the tomb complex was found by the mission of Université libre de Bruxelles in 2013. The pyramid would have stood about 15 metres (49 ft) high and was approximately 12 metres (39 ft) wide. The pyramid was capped with a pyramidion depicting Khay before the god Ra-Harakhty.[3][4]

References
  1. Kitchen, K. A. (1996). Ramesside Inscriptions, Translated & Annotated, Translations. III. Blackwell Publishers.
  2. Kitchen, K. A. (1985). Pharaoh triumphant: the life and times of Ramesses II, King of Egypt. Aris & Phillips.
  3. Luxor Times, The Famous Vizier's tomb is now found, Online text
  4. Al Ahram Online, Ramsis II vizier's tomb cover discovered, Ahram Online


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