Izi was a local governor of the Wetjes-Hor nome in the Ancient Egyptian Old Kingdom, around 2400 BC. He is mainly known from his mastaba at Edfu. In the late Middle Kingdom and Second Intermediate Period he was worshipped as local god.
In his mastaba, decorated blocks were found that provide a biography.Strudwick, Nigel C. (2005): Texts from the Pyramid Age, Society of Biblical Lit, Atlanta, ISBN 1589831381, pp. 340-342 (English translation) According to the text, he started his career under Djedkare Isesi and was appointed to a higher position under king Unas. Further appointments came under the 6th Dynasty king Teti who made him to the local governor (great overlord of a province) in the Wejtes nome. Later, Izi was also involved in commissions at the royal court.
The inscription also provide names of family membersː His was wife was called Zesheshet. Several children are known, Herui, Henut, Hewabenmaat, Idu, Qar and Shenu. Qar became successor as local governor.Alliot 1935. p. 23
In the late Middle Kingdom Izi was worshipped as local saint. Many local people placed stela close to his mastaba. On those stelae he is often called the living godMaurice Alliot (1937): Un nouvel exemple de vizir divinisé dans l’Égypte ancienne., in Le Bulletin de l’Institut français d’archéologie orientale 37, pp. 93-160 online he is also called Vizier although there is no clear evidence, that he ever had that office in his lifetime.Julia Troche (2021): Death, Power, and Apotheosis in Ancient Egypt: The Old and Middle Kingdoms, Cornell University Press, thaca and London, ISBN 9781501760150, p. 129
Bibliography Alliot, Maurice (1935): Rapport sur les fouilles de Tell Edfou (1933), Institut français d'archéologie orientale, Cairo, pp. 22-28 (the original hieroglyphic inscriptions) online
References