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 describes the history and culture of Egypt. Below are the names of the kings mentioned, with a brief description. He used the works of earlier historians, such as Herodotus, and adapted events and stories to suit his own purpose. The stories lack a clear chronology, making it difficult to identify the pharaohs associated with each story; they are often amalgamations of many kings, or confused with later kings and periods. His first-hand account of his visit to Egypt and his interactions with the priests is still valuable, with otherwise unobtainable information about ancient Egypt.
| Section | Greek | Transliteration | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.45.1 | Μηναν | Menas | 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 | Mendes | 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 | Received 500 talents of silver and 50 warships |
Bibliography
- Diodorus. Library of History. Bill Thayer: LacusCurtius. Online text.
- Oldfather, C. H., 1933-. Diodoros of Sicily. Library of History., 12 vols. PDFs.
https://pharaoh.se/ancient-egypt/kinglist/diodorus/