(fl. 24th century B.C.E.) Official of the Fifth Dynasty and the son of the vizier Ptah-hotep
Akhethotep served NIUSERRE (r. 2416–2392 B.C.E.) as VIZIER, a position also held by his father before him. He also served as a judge and as an overseer of priests involved in the MORTUARY RITUALS conducted at the pyramids of deceased pharaohs. His grandson, PTAH-HOTEP (2), the great sage famous for his Maxims, was buried in an alcove of Akhethotep’s tomb. Elaborate paintings testify to the wealth and prestige of this distinguished family. Akhethotep’s tomb was discovered in SAQQARA, near modern Cairo.
