Paheri

Paheri (p3-ḫrỉ, "The Celestial" or p3-ḥr-r(w)-ỉ) was an ancient Egyptian mayor of Elkab from the close to the beginning of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt’s New Kingdom around 1500 BC.

Paheri is primarily known for his finely decorated Rock tomb of Elkab (EK3). His tomb had been rediscovered by a European Egyptian expedition in 1799. James Burton subsequently published the contents of the two walls of its tomb chamber in 1825. He bore the titles "Mayor (ḥ3.tj-ˁ) of Elkab" and "Mayor of Esna." His father, the scribe Atefrura, was already documented as the educator of the king's son," Wadjmose; Paheri, hence, had close ties to the Egyptian royal family. A similar relationship is also documented for Paheri. Paheri's maternal grandfather was the famous Ahmose, son of Ebana who documented the fall of Avaris, the Hyksos capital city under Ahmose I.

Paheri's mother, Kemi, was the daughter of Ahmose, son of Ebana, the captain of the Egyptian fleet during the wars of independence against the Hyksos under king Ahmose I, the founder of Egypt’s 18th dynasty who reunified Egypt. Paheri's tomb, decorated with reliefs, is one of the best-preserved tombs of the 18th Dynasty, which also shows the importance of the city of Elkab at this time. The tomb consists of a chapel from which a shaft leads to an underground burial chamber. The western wall of the tomb depicts scenes of agriculture and the cult of the dead, while the eastern wall depicts scenes of a grand festival. A niche carved into the back wall contains three statues: Paheri, his wife Henuterneheh, and his mother Kemi. The rest of the wall is covered with a biographical inscription. Paheri himself served under the Egyptian king Thutmose III.

Paheri is referred to in the tomb as "the tutor of the king's son"; in one scene he is depicted holding the son of Pharaoh Thutmose I, Prince Wadjmose, on his knee or lap. In another scene he is seen offering sacrifices to Wadjmose and another of the pharaoh's sons, Prince Amenmose. the scribe Atefrura, a high Theban dignitary who was the tutor of the royal prince. Wadjmose and another prince named Ramose were mentioned in the Theban funerary chapel of Thutmose I where Queen Mutnofret is also included. Wadjmose is believed to have predeceased his father since Thutmose I was succeeded by another young prince named Thutmose II.