Comparison between Egyptian viziers and French Dauphins
| Criteria | Egyptian Vizier | Dauphin of France |
|---|---|---|
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| Access to Power | - The vizier was appointed by the Pharaoh,
- - He was not a heir to the throne, or a relative of the Pharaoh | - The title of Dauphin was automatically conferred to heir of the French throne |
| Blood Line | - Throughout Egyptian history, the viziers were the Pharaoh's most trusted allies and consultants, but were not of Royal blood,
- Royal family members, particularly those who might hold a claim to kingship, could often not be trusted. But viziers where trusted by the Pharaoh to carry out his will without the fear of revolt. | - Royal blood - The son of the French King |
| Duration of office | - Viziers often held their office according to the will of the Pharaoh
- Sometimes the remained in office during the reign of more then one Pharaoh, particularly within a single Dynasty - In few occasions they were elevated to Pharaohs, such as Ay, who succeeded Tutankhamen |
- Dauphins held their title until the accession to the throne of France, upon the death of a king. |
| History |
- The position became very important in the Middle Kingdom, while Nobility lost it's influence - In the New Kingdom there were two viziers - one for Upper Egypt and one for Lower Egypt. - The position lost much importance in the Late Kingdom | - The first French prince called le Dauphin was Charles 5, upon his father's succession to the throne in 1350
- In 1461, Louis 11 united the Dauphine with France, bringing it permanently as a French province. - The title was abolished by the Constitution of 1791, which made France a constitutional monarchy |
| Responsibilities | - The Egyptian Vizier was a very important position with a full range of powers
- He was the chief minister of Egypt answerable only to the Pharaoh - They held the fabric of Egypt's administration system together - At various times, the vizier was also the High Priest - All government documents used in Egypt had to have the seal of the vizier in order to be considered authentic and binding - Viziers resolved all domestic territorial disputes, controlled the reservoirs, food supply and supervised industries . - Overseeing the daily functioning of Pharaoh's palace and the protection of Pharaohs - Young members of the royal family often served under the vizier to receive training in government affairs. | - the Dauphin was personally responsible for the rule of the Dauphine province, which was originally a part of the Holy Roman Empire
- The Dauphine frequently suffered from anarchy, since the Dauphins were in many cases minors |
| Clothing | - In Egyptian art, viziers are usually depicted wearing a long robe which came up to the armpits. The garment of pure white material symbolized impartiality. | - A Dauphin of France would unite the coat of arms of the Dauphine, which featured Dolphins, with the French fleurs-de-lis. |