| Djedefhor I the Old | |
|---|---|
| |
| Pharaoh of Egypt | |
| Reign | 5 June 2540 - 12 February 2539 |
| Predecessor | Bakara I |
| Successor | Menkaura I |
| Born | April 17, 2612 B.C. Mennefer, Egypt |
| Died | March 16, 2531 B.C. (aged 81) |
| Spouse | Nimaathap II |
| Issue | Awibra |
| Full name | |
| Horus Name: Hordjedefra Nebty Name: Sekhemra Golden Horus Name: Biknebu Praenomen: Hordjedefra Nomen: Djedefhor | |
| House | Khasekhemwy |
| Dynasty | Sneferian Dynasty |
| Father | Khufu I |
| Mother | Meritites I |
| Religion | Kemetism |
Djedefhor, called the Old and the Scholar, was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty during the Old Kingdom. He is also known as Hordjedef. Djedefhor was the son of Khufu I and successor of Bakara, his nephew, and his mother was Meritites I. He is notable for being one of the few Egyptian Pharaohs to Abdicate, but he was succeeded by his nephew Menkaura I not long after.
Biography[]
Djedefhor was a son of Pharaoh Khufu and brother of pharaohs Djedefra I and Khafra I. his mother was Queen Meritites I making him a full brother of Djedefra is named in the tomb G 7220 of Djedefhor and it is possible she is his mother.
The Teachings of Djedefhor, a document of which only fragments remain, is attributed to him. Djedefhor was deified after his death. The wisdom text by Djedefhor was written as advice to his son, Prince Auibra.
As a prince, Djedefhor dedicated himself to scholarly pursuits, showing a profound interest in education and intellectual growth. His elder brother Kawab's untimely death left a vacancy in the line of succession. Their father, Khufu, initially intended for Djedefhor to ascend the throne, recognizing his wisdom and capabilities. However, Djedefhor declined the offer, feeling that his contributions were better suited to other roles. Consequently, his younger brother Djedefra was named Crown Prince.
Djedefhor continued to cultivate his reputation as a learned and highly respected individual. His counsel was sought after and greatly valued during the reigns of his brothers, contributing significantly to the governance and intellectual climate of the time.
Upon the premature death of King Bakara, Djedefhor was elected king by the Great 20 of Upper and Lower Egypt. Reluctantly, he accepted the position but made it clear that he would only serve until a more suitable candidate could be found. During his brief reign, Djedefhor refrained from commissioning any grand public works, maintaining a focus on stability and continuity. He expressed a desire to be buried in the family tombs in the eastern field at Akhet Nesu.
In November, the Great 20 of the two lands selected Menkaura as the new Crown Prince. Djedefhor spent the remaining days of his reign preparing his successor for the responsibilities ahead. On February 12, he formally abdicated the throne, and Menkaura succeeded him as Pharaoh. Djedefhor then served as a state councilor, continuing to offer his invaluable wisdom and guidance until his death 8 years later.
Teaching of Djedefhor[]
The Instruction of Hardjedef, also known as the Teaching of Hordedef and Teaching of Djedefhor, belongs to the didactic literature of the Egyptian Old Kingdom. It is possibly the oldest of all known Instructions, composed during the 5th Dynasty according to Miriam Lichtheim, predating The Instructions of Kagemni and The Maxims of Ptahhotep.
The first lines of the text establish Prince Djedefhor, Khufu's son, as the author of the Instruction. In antiquity Hardjedef enjoyed a reputation for wisdom, his name appears in the Westcar Papyrus, and according to the Harper's lay from the tomb of King Intef, a copy of which survives in Papyrus Harris 500, he is mentioned in the same breath as Imhotep, his maxims having survived while his tomb had been lost. His fame was especially great during periods of classicistic revival, when he and other Old Kingdom sages became role models for aspiring scribes. Sample text (lines 11–15):
| Set up a house in the graveyard
and make your abode in the West exquisite . Remember that death means nothing to us; remember we value life - but the house of death serves life! |