The king list of Diodorus

Diodorus Siculus was a Greek historian born in Sicily. His magnum opus, Bibliotheca Historica, consisted of forty books divided into three sections, and was written around 60-30 BC.

The first book describe the history and culture of Egypt. Below you will find the names of the kings mentioned, with a short description. He used the works of earlier historians, like Herodotus, adapting events and stories to his own end. It is likely that he was told many stories about the pharaohs, but mixed up exactly which pharaoh each belonged to. It is still valuable as he actually visited Egypt and most likely talked to the priests. If nothing else, it is still a source of the pharaohs.

SectionGreekTransliterationRemarks
1.45.1/3 Μηναν / Μηνα Menan / Mena Introduced his people to luxury
1.45.2 Τνεφαχθον Tnephachthon Denounced luxury and cursed Menes, which is why his name was almost forgotten
1.45.2 Βοκχοριδος Bokkhoridos
1.47.4 Οσυμανδυας Osymandyas
1.50.3 Ουχορευς Oukhoreus The eight king, founded Memphis
1.51.5 Μοιρις Moiris Succeeded to the throne 12 generations after Uchoreus
1.53.1 Σεσοωσις Sesoösis Seven generations after Moeris, a great king. Killed himself after becoming blind after 33 years reign
1.60.1 Aμασις Amasis Ruled with great harshness and contempt
1.60.2 Aκτισανης Aktisanes King of Ethiopia, defeated Amasis
1.61.1 Μενδην Menden Who some call Μάρρον (Marron), built the Labyrinth
1.62.1 Κετηνα Cetes Thought by Greeks to be Πρωνεύς (Proneus)
1.62.5 Pεμφις Rhemphis Amassed riches and left a treasure larger than that of any king before him
1.63.1 Νειλέως Neileos After whom the Nile river is named
1.63.2 Χεμμις Khemmis Eight king of Memphis, ruled 50 years, and built the largest pyramid
1.64.1 Κεφρην Kephren Brother of Χέμμις who succeded him. Built the second pyramid.
1.64.1 Χαβρυην Khabryen Son of Chemmis who some say took the throne after him, not Cephren.
1.64.6 Μυκερινος Mukerinos Who some call Μεγχερῖνον (Mencherinon), a son of Chemmis
1.65.2 Σαβακων Sabakon By birth an Ethiopian, yet in piety and uprightness far surpassed his predecessors
1.66.8 Ψαμμητιχος Psammetikhos
1.68.1 Aπριης Apries King for 22 years, strangled by the men of Amasis
1.68.3 Aμασις Amasis Ruled for 55 years until Cambyses conquered Egypt
15.92.2 Ταχως Takhos King Tachos of Egypt received 500 talents of silver and 50 warships

Bibliography

  • Bekker, Dindorf, Vogel., 1888. Diodori Bibliotheca Historica, Vol 1. Leipzig. External link: Click to view
  • Booth, George., 1814. Historical Library, translation from 1814 @ Wikisource: External link: Click to view
  • Diodorus, Siculus., 1933–1967. Diodorus Siculus. Library of History. 12 vols. Loeb Classical Library. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. Laucus Curtius: External link: Click to view