Two massive statues known as the Colossi of Memnon stand as the most visible evidence of the construction projects overseen by Amenhotep, son of Hapu. Serving under Pharaoh Amenhotep III during the 18th Dynasty, he transformed from a provincial scribe into one of the few non-royal Egyptians to achieve formal deification following his death.
Service to the Pharaoh
Born in Athribis to Hapu and Itu, Amenhotep entered civil service later in life. He functioned as a priest and Scribe of Recruits, a role that required him to manage manpower and labor logistics for state projects. During the 30th year of Amenhotep III's reign, he participated in the king's first Sed festival, later transitioning into an administrative role as the steward of Princess Sitamun's estates. He held high-ranking titles, including Fan-bearer on the Right Side of the King.
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As an architect, Amenhotep directed the construction of the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III in western Thebes. To source materials for these monuments, he initiated operations at the El-Gabal el-Ahmar quarry near Heliopolis. Historians also attribute the design of the Luxor Temple and the Temple of Soleb in Nubia to him, alongside plans for the portico of the Temple of Karnak, which was later finished during the rule of Ramesses II.
The Mortuary Temple
Amenhotep secured an exceptional privilege by constructing his own mortuary temple adjacent to the royal complex of the pharaoh. Excavated in the mid-1930s, the structure covers a 45 by 110-metre area and features a large water basin fed by Nile groundwater. The site included a pillared portico and a series of detailed inscriptions intended to curse anyone who disturbed or robbed the tomb, threatening interlopers with destruction and divine wrath.
Legacy and Deification
Following his death, potentially in the 31st or 35th year of Amenhotep III's reign, his reputation grew as a philosopher and healer. He was worshipped as a deity, a status previously reserved for royalty or select individuals like Imhotep. His cult persisted for centuries, seeing a revival during the Ptolemaic Kingdom, with specific chapels dedicated to him at the Temple of Hathor and the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut.
Fast facts
- Born: -1420, Athribis
- Died: -1400
- Primary Occupations: Architect, Priest, Scribe
- Pharaoh served: Amenhotep III
- Mortuary Temple Dimensions: 45 x 110 metres
- Deification Status: God of healing
Questions readers ask
Was Amenhotep, son of Hapu, a member of the royal family?
No, he was a commoner who entered civil service in his late forties, though he achieved rare deified status after death.
What major structures is he credited with building?
He is primarily associated with the Colossi of Memnon, the Luxor Temple, the Temple of Soleb, and the portico at the Temple of Karnak.
Achievements
- Worked as architect and priest
