About Penthu
Penthu was a physician.
Penthu was an Egyptian noble who bore the titles of sealbearer of the King of Lower Egypt, the sole companion, the attendant of the Lord of the Two Lands, the favorite of the good god, king's scribe, the king's subordinate, First servant of the Aten in the mansion of the Aten in Akhetaten, Chief of physicians, and chamberlain. These titles alone show how powerful he would have been in Eighteenth Dynasty Egypt.
He was originally the Chief Physician to Akhenaten, but may have survived the upheavals of the end of the Amarna Period, and served under Ay, after being Vizier under Tutankhamun. The identification of Penthu the Physician with Pentu the Vizier is not certain, however. He had a tomb constructed at Amarna, Amarna Tomb 5, The inscription was first published in 2012 by Athena van der Perre and established that Nefertiti was still alive in the second last year of Akhenaten's reign--his Year 16--and makes it probable she ruled Egypt as the female king Neferneferuaten--just prior to Tutankhamun's reign.
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Important facts
Frequently asked questions
Who was Penthu?
ancient Egyptian royal physician
When was Penthu born?
Penthu was born in 14th century BC.
What was Penthu's occupation?
Penthu was a physician.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Penthu. https://biography.guide/penthu/
MLA: "Penthu." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/penthu/.
Chicago: "Penthu." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/penthu/.
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