Editing Djedkare Isesi (section)

==Legacy==

===Impact of the reforms===
[[File:Mastaba Senedjemib Inti.jpg|thumb|right|The large mastaba of Senedjemib Inti, vizier under Djedkare]]

For Nigel Strudwick, the reforms of Djedkare were undertaken as a reaction to the rapid growth of the central administration in the first part of the Fifth Dynasty{{sfn|Strudwick|1985|p=340}} which, Baer adds, had amassed too much political or economic power{{sfn|Strudwick|1985|p=341}} in the eyes of the king.{{sfn|Baer|1960|p=297 & 300}} [[Joyce Tyldesley]] sees the reign of Djedkare as the very beginning of a decline in the importance of the king, in conjunction with the gradual rise of the power wielded by the high and provincial administration.{{sfn|Tyldesley|2005|p=238}} Concurrent with this trend is a process of decentralization, with local loyalties slowly superseding allegiance to the central state.{{sfn|Tyldesley|2005|p=238}} Since offices and the vizierate in particular could be inherited,{{sfn|Altenmüller|2001|p=600}} the reforms of Djedkare created a "virtual feudal system" as [[Nicolas Grimal]] writes,{{sfn|Grimal|1992|p=79}}{{sfn|Sicker|2000|p=12}} with much power in the hands of a few puissant officials. This is best witnessed by the large, magnificent mastaba tombs that Djedkare's viziers built.{{sfn|Grimal|1992|p=79}} In this context, Djedkare's reforms of the ranking system might have been an attempt at maintaining a sprawling administration under control,{{sfn|Trigger|2003|p=211}} yet ultimately failed. For some Egyptologists, such as [[Naguib Kanawati]], this failure contributed in no small part to the fall of the Old Kingdom,{{sfn|Kanawati|1980|p=131}} but others, including Strudwick, believe the reasons of the collapse must be sought elsewhere as the power of an administration official never approached that of the king.{{sfn|Strudwick|1985|p=341}}

The reforms of Djedkare played an important role in flourishing of the arts during the later Old Kingdom, as artisans and craftsmen could now find many wealthy patrons beyond the king. This created a surge in the number of commissions leading to a general improvement of the artistic works. This also provided the artisans with a new wealth, which they used to build their own large funerary complexes.{{sfn|Altenmüller|2001|p=600}}

===Funerary cult===

====Old Kingdom====
[[File:Isesi Estate.png|upright=0.5|thumb|Personified agricultural estate of Djedkare called "Ra desires that Isesi lives"{{sfn|Murray|1905|loc=pl. IX}}]]

Djedkare was the object of a funerary cult established at his death and which lasted until the end of the Old Kingdom nearly 200 years later. Provisions for this cult were produced in several agricultural estates set up during Djedkare's reign. The names of some of these estates have been found inscribed on the walls of the tombs of his courtiers: "Ra desires that Isesi lives",{{efn|group=note|Ancient Egyptian ''Mr-Rˁ-ˁnḫ-Izzi'', tomb of Ptahhotep II, Saqqara.{{sfn|Murray|1905|loc=pl. IX}}}} "[[Heqet|Heqa]] desires that Izezi live",{{efn|group=note|Ancient Egyptian ''Mr-Ḥq3-ˁnḫ-Izzi''.{{sfn|Brovarski|2001|p=152}}}} "Perfect of emulation is Isesi",{{efn|group=note|Ancient Egyptian ''Nfr-nḥrw-Izzi''.{{sfn|Brovarski|2001|p=55}}}} "The mnza-vessel of Djedkare",{{efn|group=note|Ancient Egyptian ''Mnz3-Ḏd-k3-Rˁ''.{{sfn|Brovarski|2001|p=56}}}} "Perfect of favors is Isesi",{{efn|group=note|Ancient Egyptian ''Nfr-ḥzwt-Izzi''.{{sfn|Brovarski|2001|p=56}}}} "[[Seshat]] makes Isesi live",{{efn|group=note|Ancient Egyptian ''Sˁnḫ-Sš3t-Izzi''.{{sfn|Brovarski|2001|p=56}}}} "The [[Ancient Egyptian concept of the soul#Ka .28vital spark.29|Ka]] of Isesi is foremost",{{efn|group=note|Ancient Egyptian ''ḫnty-k3-Izzi''.{{sfn|Brovarski|2001|p=56}}}} "Dominion belongs to Izezi",{{efn|group=note|Ancient Egyptian ''N(y)-w3s-Izzi''.{{sfn|Brovarski|2001|p=70}}}} "Work of the command of Izezi",{{efn|group=note|Ancient Egyptian ''Irt-wḏt-Izzi''.{{sfn|Brovarski|2001|p=70}}}} "[[Bastet]] wishes that Izezi lives",{{efn|group=note|Ancient Egyptian ''Mr B3stt-ˁnḫ-Izzi''.{{sfn|Brovarski|2001|p=70}}}} "[[Horus]] perpetuates Izezi",{{efn|group=note|Ancient Egyptian ''Srwḏ-Ḥr-Izzi''.{{sfn|Brovarski|2001|p=70}}}} "The offerings of Izezi",{{efn|group=note|Ancient Egyptian ''Ḥtpwt-Izzi''.{{sfn|Brovarski|2001|p=70}}}} and "Izezi is one who loves life".{{efn|group=note|Ancient Egyptian ''Mr ˁnḫ-Izzi''.{{sfn|Brovarski|2001|p=70}}}}

Djedkare seems to have been held in high esteem during the Sixth Dynasty. For example, [[Merenre Nemtyemsaf I]] chose to place his pyramid complex close to that of Djedkare.{{sfn|Baud|Dobrev|1995|p=43|loc=Note g}} In addition, the [[South Saqqara Stone]], a royal annal dating to the reign of Merenre or of his successor Pepi II,{{sfn|Baud|Dobrev|1995|p=54}} records rich offerings being made to Djedkare on behalf of the king.{{efn|group=note|See in particular the zone F6 of the Saqqara stone.{{sfn|Strudwick|2005|p=77}}}}{{sfn|Strudwick|2005|p=77}}{{sfn|Baud|Dobrev|1995|p=41}} An estimated 92%{{sfn|Baud|Dobrev|1995|p=25}} of the text inscribed on the stone was lost when it was roughly polished to be reused as a sarcophagus lid, possibly in the late [[First Intermediate Period|First Intermediate]] ({{circa|2160}}–2055 BC) to early [[Middle Kingdom of Egypt|Middle Kingdom]] period ({{circa|2055}}–1650 BC).{{sfn|Baud|Dobrev|1995|pp=54–55}}

More generally, an historical or literary tradition concerning events in the time of Djedkare seems to have flourished toward the end of Old Kingdom as can be inferred from the tombs of Harkuf and Iny.{{sfn|Marcolin|2006|p=293|loc=footnote (a)}} These two officials were in charge of expeditions to foreign lands–Punt and Byblos– under Merenre I and Pepi II and both relate similar expeditions that took place during the time of Djedkare.{{sfn|Marcolin|2006|p=293|loc=footnote (a)}}

====New Kingdom====
The funerary cult of Djedkare enjoyed a revival during the New Kingdom (c. 1550–1077 BC). For the early part of this period, this is best attested by the Karnak king list, a list of kings commissioned by pharaoh Thutmose III. The list was not meant to be exhaustive, rather it gave the names of Thutmose's forefathers whom he wanted to honor by dedicating offerings.{{sfn|Wildung|1969|pp=60–63}}

For the later New Kingdom, a relief from the Saqqara tomb of the priest Mehu, dating to the 19th or [[Twentieth Dynasty of Egypt|20th Dynasty]] shows three gods faced by several deceased kings. These are [[Djoser]] and [[Sekhemket]], of the [[Third Dynasty of Egypt|Third Dynasty]] and Userkaf, founder of the Fifth Dynasty. He is followed by a fourth king whose name is damaged but which is often read "Djedkare" or, much less likely, "[[Shepseskare]]". The relief is an expression of personal piety on Mehu's behalf, who prayed to the ancient kings for them to recommend him to the gods.{{sfn|Wildung|1969|pp=74–76}}