Editing Djedkare Isesi (section)

===Domestic reforms===
[[File:Statuevizir095.jpg|thumb|right|Two statues of Ptahhotep, a [[vizier]] during Djedkare's reign{{sfn|Strudwick|1985|p=301}}]]

During his reign Djedkare effected significant reforms of the state administration and priesthood, in particular that pertaining to the funerary cults{{sfn|Strudwick|1985|p=307 & 339}} in the necropolis of Abusir.{{efn|group=note|The abandonment of Abusir as the royal necropolis meant that Djedkare had to strictly regulate its activities so as to ensure the proper continuation of the funerary cults taking place there, which explains in large part the administrative content of the Abusir papyri.{{sfn|Verner|Zemina|1994|p=164}}}}{{sfn|Verner|Zemina|1994|p=164}}
These evolutions are witnessed by changes in priestly titles and more broadly, in the system of ranking titles of high officials, which was modified for the first time in its existence.{{sfn|Strudwick|1985|p=339}} For example, the priesthood of the royal pyramids was reorganized,{{sfn|Verner|2001b|p=589}} with Djedkare possibly changing the titles and functions of the priests from "priest of king" to "priest of the pyramid",{{sfn|Baer|1960|p=297}} although this change may have happened earlier, under Nyuserre Ini.{{sfn|Baud|1999a|p=23}}
Princes of royal blood could once more hold administrative titles,{{efn|group=note|The Egyptologist Nigel Strudwick illustrates this novelty with the cases of Isesi-ankh and Kaemtjenent, who both bore the title of "king's son" as well as a number of administrative titles such as "overseer of all the works of the king" and "seal bearer of the god".{{sfn|Baud|1999b|p=421}} The Egyptologists Michel Baud and Bettina Schmitz have argued that the title of "king's son" here does not denote a true filiation and was only honorary, at least in the case of Isesi-ankh.{{sfn|Baud|1999b|p=422}}{{sfn|Schmitz|1976|p= 88 & 90}} More generally Baud and Schmitz consider that true princes of blood were qualified of ''smsw [z3 nswt]'' for "eldest [king's son]" and remained excluded from holding administrative offices.{{sfn|Baud|1999a|p=328}}}} a prerogative they had lost during the early Fifth Dynasty.{{sfn|Strudwick|1985|p=339}} At the same time, viziers could now hold the prestigious titles of ''Iry-pat''{{sfn|Andrassy|2008|p=38}} and ''[[Haty-a]]''{{sfn|Baud|1999a|p=328}} and, as "overseer of the royal scribes", became the head of the scribal administration.{{sfn|Strudwick|1985|p=340}} At least one vizier, [[Seshemnefer (III)|Seshemnefer III]], even bore the title of "king's son of his body", one of the most distinguished titles at the time and normally reserved to princes of royal blood. Yet neither Seshemnefer III's father nor his mother seems to have belonged to the royal family.{{sfn|Kanawati|2003|p=154}} For the period spanning the reign of Djedkare until that of Teti, viziers were furthermore responsible for the weaponry of the state, both for military and other purposes.{{sfn|Kanawati|2003|p=154}} Following the reforms undertaken by Djedkare, three viziers would be in office at the same time:{{sfn|Trigger|2003|p=211}} two in the [[Memphis, Egypt|Memphite]] region and a Southern one, the "governor of Upper Egypt",{{sfn|Strudwick|1985|p=339}} with a seat at Abydos.{{sfn|Verner|2001b|p=589}}{{sfn|Altenmüller|2001|p=600}} In total six viziers were appointed during Djedkare's reign.{{efn|group=note|These are [[Ptahhotep Desher]], Seshemnefer III, [[Ptahhotep]], [[Rashepses]], another [[Ptahhotep (Djedkare)|Ptahhotep]], and Senedjemib Inti.{{sfn|Strudwick|1985|p=301}}}}{{sfn|Strudwick|1985|p=301}}

Lower ranking officials lost power during the late Fifth Dynasty and were frequently limited to holding only one high title,{{sfn|Trigger|2003|p=211}} a departure from the preceding period.{{sfn|Strudwick|1985|p=339}} Such functions as "overseer of the granary" and "overseer of the treasury" disappear from the record some time between Djedkare's reign and that of [[Teti]],{{sfn|Strudwick|1985|p=339}} while men of lower status became head of the legal administration.{{sfn|Strudwick|1985|p=340}} Consequently, the viziers concentrated more power than before while lower echelons of the state administration were reduced.{{sfn|Strudwick|1985|p=340}} At the same time, the size of the provincial administration was increased, and it also became more autonomous from the central government.{{sfn|Altenmüller|2001|p=600}} In particular, the [[nomarch]]s were responsible in their provinces for performing works hitherto conducted by Memphite officials.{{sfn|Strudwick|1985|p=340}}