Ancient Egyptian official, architect and doctor.
Imhotep was born as a commoner, but his unusual drive and ambition led to his rapid rise through the community of the 3rd dynasty. He came to the highest rank below that of pharoh, High Priest, and also Vizier.
His greatest architectural achievement was the design of the step pyramid at Saqqara, which was for the pharoh Djoser. This was a very influential piece of architecture that influenced Egyptian burial customs. He served through the reign of another three pharohs after Djoser.
He is said to have been a good poet, but it is for his medical works that he was remembered. When the Romans built temples within Egypt they put inscriptions on the wall praising Imhotep. This was because Greek physicians, who were integrated into the Roman Empire valued his works highly.