The Sixteenth Dynasty of Ancient Egypt

The school of thought concerning the kings of the Sixteenth Dynasty can be broadly categorised into two groups. The first group holds the view that it was a confederation of Hyksos vassals, while the second group regards it as a Theban dynasty.

The Sixteenth Dynasty attempted to impede the unrelenting southward advance of the Fifteenth Dynasty, but was ultimately vanquished as the invaders methodically advanced southward. After finally taking control of Thebes, the Fifteenth Dynasty of invaders now controlled the entirety of Egypt. This could not last, and preparations to oust the foreigners were initiated, which would see fruition in the Seventeenth Dynasty.

The chronological order

It is important to note that the chronological order of the pharaohs is an evolving subject and should therefore be treated with a certain degree of caution. As new research is conducted, the order may be subject to change, which is a fundamental principle that applies to all Egyptian dynasties.

Table 1: The kings of the Sixteenth Dynasty
№	Pharaoh	Also known as
2	Djehuty
3	Sobekhotep VIII	Sekhemre Seusertawy Sobekhotep
4	Neferhotep III
5	Mentuhotepi	Sankhenre Mentuhotepi, Mentuhotep VII
6	Nebirau I	Nebiryraw I, Sewadjenre
7	Nebirau II	Nebiryraw II
8	Semenenra
9	Bebiankh	Sewoserenre, Seuserenre
10	Sekhemra Shedwaset
11	Dedumose I	Djedhotepre
12	Dedumose II	Djedneferre
13	Mentuemsaf	Djedankhre
14	Mentuhotep VI	Merankhre
15	Senusret IV	Seneferibre
?	Pepi III	Seneferankhre
?	Nebmaatra	Nebmaatre
?	Anetjerira
?	Meribra	Meribre
?	Nubankhra	Nubankhre
?	Nikara II

The Sixteenth Dynasty according to Manetho

The contents of their epitomes of Aegyptiaka must have been quite different, as can be seen from the differences between the more complete text of Africanus and the missing information of Eusebius. Text added by Syncellus is marked in this way.

ACCORDING TO AFRICANUS

Sixteenth dynasty of 32 additional shepherd kings

They reigned for 518 years

ACCORDING TO EUSEBIOS

Sixteenth dynasty of five kings of Thebes

These reigned for 190 years

ARMENIAN TRANSLATION

Sixteenth dynasty of 5 kings of Thebes

who ruled for 190 years

The large figure of years by Africanus indicates a potential misunderstanding of a summation by the epitomist, which may have resulted in the creation of an additional dynasty. The entries for this dynasty serve as the foundation for two distinct schools of thought regarding the Sixteenth Dynasty: one positing that it comprised Hyksos vassal kings, and the other suggesting that it was led by Egyptian kings.