As the first ruler of the fifth dynasty, Userkaf imitated or honored Djoser by using the same name for his Horus and Nebty names instead of two different ones. He likely married into the extended royal family of the fourth dynasty to gain the throne. His hellenized name by Manetho is Ouserkheres, and his name is present on the New Kingdom king lists of Abydos, Saqqara and Turin.
According to a story in the Westcar papyrus, he was the first of three brothers that ruled in succession, but that story has since been disproved.
The Royal Titulary
From the hieroglyphic records
Horus Iri Maat The Dual King User kaf
Horus name
The oldest form of the name of a pharaoh, a falcon representing Horus is perched on the palace facade.
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 56–57, 1:H
Nebty name
The “Two Ladies”, the goddesses Nekhbet and Wadjet, representing Upper and Lower Egypt respectively.
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 56–57, 1:N
Golden Horus name
Horus perched on Gold, which was associated with eternity, but its meaning is disputed.
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 56–57, 1:G
Throne names
Announced at the coronation and always written in a cartouche. The “official” name of the pharaoh. Also known as the Prenomen.
Saqqara Canon no. 34
Mariette, Monuments divers recueillis en Égypte et en Nubie, II, plate 54e
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 56–57, 1:E2
Petrie, Abydos, II, plate XIV
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 40
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 56–57, 1:E1
Gardiner, The Royal Canon of Turin (1959) III:17
The sources of antiquity
From the writings of the historians and scholars of antiquity
| Author | Greek | Transcription | Reign |
|---|---|---|---|
| Africanus v, 1 | Ουσερχερης | Usercheres | 28 years |
Bibliography
- Gauthier, H. Le livre des rois d'Égypte. MIFAO 17 (1907): 105–108
- Beckerath, J., 1999. “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, Second edition, MÄS 49: 56–57
- Leprohon, R. J., 2013. The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary. Atlanta: 38
- Baker. D. D., 2008. The Encyclopedia of the Pharaohs: Volume I. London: 484–486
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