Page 97 [97]
two títles according to their functions eíther. Nevertheless, observing the duties of an
wb3 nswt who primarily acted as a personal servant in the royal household as well as the
royal administration, in more cases, even as a steward responsible for overseeing the
royal domains, the translation ‘butler’ seems to be more or less suitable for demon¬
strating the original function of the occupation, as well as for expressing the new scope
of duties in which these officials acted.>”
In the case of the title wdpw nswt, however, the situation is more complicated since
the difference between the original functional occupation of an wdpw and the duties of
an wdpw nswt is considerable indeed and there are seemingly no common points or
continuity between the two of them in this respect.*® It is unequivocal that the usual
translation of wdpw as a ‘cupbearer’ cannot be applied in the case of the official title
wdpw nswt since this latter one has no connection with any sort of duties regarding the
service or preparation of food or drink. Based on the evidence concerning the official
tasks represented in the textual sources of the individuals who bore this title, an wdpw
nswt acted as a personal representative of the ruler in particular assignments in various
respects. From this perspective, a new translation such as ‘royal representative’, ‘royal
agent’, ‘royal delegate’ or ‘royal commissioner’ might be applicable, however, it might
also be confusing in respect to other titles with a similar meaning, for instance ‘, jdnw
or rwdw as well as in respect to the scientific tradition.
For the revision of and for changing the tradition of the translation of the two functional
titles, wb3 and wdpw as ‘butler’ and ‘cupbearer’ respectively, a comprehensive study of their
textual and iconographical appearances from the whole pharaonic period would be required.
Based on the research, new proposals could be made for a more appropriate translation
for both the functional and the official titles reflecting the duties of their representatives.
In this respect it is worth keeping in mind that the ancient Egyptians themselves used the
same words, wb3 and wdpw during the whole course of time even if they had become offi¬
cial titles as wb3 nswt and wdpw nswt and their function had changed to some extent. Until
more adequate solutions can be found regarding the translations of both titles, the usage
of their forms ‘royal wb? and ‘royal wdpw’ seems to be convenient.
301 For a detailed discussion of the duties of the officials related to the royal court in the position as an
wb3 nswt, see chapters II.5.1. and II.5.2.1. on pp. 70. and 72, respectively.
3 Although Gregersen does not entirely agree with any of the translations used in any languages
(butler, cupbearer, l’échanson, Truchsess — accepting Truchsess as the most agreeable one), she
does not offer any other solution instead of them. Gregersen, 2007, 849-850.
3% For a detailed discussion of the duties of the officials in the position as an wdpw nswt, see chapter
IL.5.2.2. on p. 79.