King Horemheb: From Administration to the Royal Throne in Ancient Egypt

Horemheb ascended the throne of ancient Egypt at the end of the Eighteenth Dynasty, following a long career within the state’s administrative and military institutions, without being of royal descent. He began his service as a royal scribe, rose to the position of Commander of the Army, and was later appointed as Deputy of the King in all foreign lands, a role that granted him extensive authority over both civil and military affairs. Through this steady progression, he established a strong presence within the core of the state, gaining political legitimacy based on competence rather than hereditary right. Horemheb emerged as a unique model of legitimacy founded on professional achievement rather than bloodline. He successfully leveraged his administrative and military experience to consolidate his rule after becoming king. The research aims to shed light on King Horemheb’s administrative career progression and his civil and military activities until his ascension to the throne, and to analyze and evaluate the documents related to this period in ancient Egypt.