Shrine of Imhotep

The cult of Imhotep began some two thousand years after his death, when he was deified as the patron of healing and medicine because of his legendary skill and wisdom. Originally from Memphis, the cult eventually merged with the worshippers of Thoth, the god of learning, medicine and architecture. In some places the two were treated as brothers. During his lifetime, Imhotep rose from humble origins to be High Priest of Ra and chancellor to Netjerikhet, or Djoser, the founder of the Third Dynasty. He lived during the 27th century BC, a time that was impossibly remote, even in the time of the Ptolemaic pharaohs. He was the foremost architect, engineer, philosopher and physician of his age and, not surprisingly, one of the first of each in recorded history.