Imhotep was a high courtier under King Djoser (Dynasty III), who was given the supreme privilege of having his name carved alongside that of Pharaoh himself. He held the offices of vizier and master sculptor. The Egyptian priest Manetho stated that he was the inventor of building with blocks of dressed stone. It is likely that he planned the Step Pyramid at Saqqara

In the Middle and New Kingdoms Imhotep was revered principally as a scribe, and surviving bronzes depict him seated in the scribal position with a roll of papyrus open on his knees. This reverence led to his deification – an extremely rare honor – and in the Ptolemaic period, cult objects to Imhotep are found as far apart as Saqqara and Philae.

Mention must also be made of his ability as a healer, and in Greek thinking he became associated with Aesculapius, the Greek god of medicine.

Finally, Imhotep’s association with Ptah (whose son he is considered to be by a lady called Khreduankh) led him to be venerated as an agent capable of renewing his father’s (i.e.Ptah’s) generative forces. A stele in the British Museum narrates the story of the Lady Taimhotep, who prayed to Imhotep for a son. (Her husband was High Priest of Ptah) Imhotep commanded the embellishment of his sanctuary in north Saqqara. This was done, and in due course Taimhotep conceived and gave birth to a son on Imhotep’s festival day.

Main center of worship:
Thebes, where he was worshipped in conjunction with Amenhotep-Son-of-Hapu.4th Nome,upper Egypt

Other placess:
A sanctuary on the upper terrace of the temple at Deir el-Bahari:4th Nome,upper Egypt

Deir el-Medina: 4th Nome,upper Egypt

Philae:
A chapel of Imhotep immediately in front of the eastern pylon of the temple of Isis:1st Nome,upper Egypt .

Memphis/1st Nome,lower Egypt

Article by Mirjam
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