A comprehensive account on the life and legacy of a legendary high official and architect of New Kingdom Egypt, Senenmut.

An outstanding non-royal figure of the New Kingdom period, Senenmut served during the innovative reign of the female ruler Hatshepsut. While he was not a pharaoh, more objects bearing his name survive than do for many kings. He never claimed to be a royal prince, vizier, or high priest, but he held a greater range of individual titles than are known for almost any other official. On his many monuments he is most commonly described as a “High Steward,” and he was closely linked with both the royal palace and the domain of the great Theban god Amun. In this position he was able to utilize royal permission and resources for his own commemoration—including a uniquely creative corpus of statuary.

Despite his abundant presence in the archaeological record, manyaspects of his life remain enigmatic. Lack of the mention of any wife and his apparent intimacy with Hatshepsut’s daughter, Neferure, have led to much speculation about Senenmut’s role in Hatshepsut’s court. One of the most interesting aspects of his career is its end: Senenmut was apparently canceled toward the end of his life or shortly after his death. This is assumed to have been the result of Hatshepsut’s caprice, or of her enemies who associated Senenmut with her. However, Senenmut’s erasure was only ever partial and belies a lasting legacy for him both inancient and more recent times.