26 rows — 25 kings.
Twenty-six continuous rows with the full or partial names of fourteen kings. At the bottom, there is a summation of dynasties I-V. The fragments in this column must be adjusted so that the written text is in alignment with the other columns. Older reconstructions fail to make certain that the text of column 4 start at the same vertical position as the other columns. The column is extra wide to accomodate the lifetime of the kings.
Curiously, the kings of the Fourth Dynasty in the Abydos king list holds six kings (20-25), Saqqara nine (43-35) and the Canon eight (4.9-16), indicating incompletely preserved records. Centuries later, scribes compiling Source B (third to sixth dynasties) of Vorlage A, accessed the archives and added the kings of the Fourth Dynasty. The discrepancy between the king lists is puzzling.
| Rows | Remarks | Kings |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Second Dynasty (continued) | 3 |
| 4–8 | Third Dynasty | 5 |
| 9–16 | Fourth Dynasty | 8 |
| 17–25 | Fifth Dynasty | 9 |
| 26 | Summation for First through Fifth dynasties |
Column 4.1
The Dual King Neferkasokar 8 years 3
King
Neferkasokar (15th king)
Dynasty
II (7)
Fragment(s)
18
Gardiner
III 1
Only the lower part of the ten-sign at the end is evident, meaning the number could be a 10, 20 or 30.1 The name is unlikely to be historical, but whether it is fictious, or a false etymology of an unidentifiable name remain unknown.2
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saqqara Canon 50 |  |
nfr-kꜢ-skr | Neferkasokar |
| Africanus II (7) | — | Nεφερχερης | Nepherkherēs (25 years) |
- 1 Gardiner 1959: 15 (III 1 c)
- 2 Ryholt 2004: 151
Column 4.2
The Dual King Hudjefa, 11 years, 8
nsw-bit ḥw-ḏfꜢ rnpt 11
King
Hudjefa I (16th king)
Dynasty
II (8)
Fragment(s)
18 (+50?)
Gardiner
III 2
Hudjefa is a pseudonym of an illegible or damaged name.1 2 The upper part of the first ten-sign is missing, it uncertain if the sign was 10, 20, (or less probable 30.)3 The last number is clearly 34 years. A badly damaged Hudjefa also appears in the Saqqara Canon between Neferkasokar and Khasekhemwy. Gardiner's unplaced fr. 50 contain the only remaining patch,4 placing it at the end of column 4 make sense, as a patch is missing between fr. 18 and fr. 59. The rightmost part is the first row of Champollion's fragment Ff.
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saqqara Canon 49 |  |
ḥw-ḏfꜢ | Hudjefa |
| Africanus II (8) | — | Σεσωχρις | Sesōkhris (48 years) |
| Eusebius II (8) | — | Σεσωχρις | Sesōkhris (48 years) |
- 1 Goedicke, "King ḥwDf3", JEA 42 (1956): 50–53
- 2 Helck 1956: 14ff.
- 3 Gardiner 1959: 15 (III 2 c)
- 4 Gardiner 1959: 18
Column 4.3
The Dual King Bebti ... 27
nsw-bit bbti ...
King
Khasekhemwy (17th king)
Dynasty
II (9)
Fragment(s)
18 (+50?)
Gardiner
III 3
The New Kingdom scribes interpreted an unknown name of Khasekhemwy from their sources differently, causing divergent names being used in the canons. The complete age numbers are lost as the papyrus break off. Gardiner's unplaced fr. 50 contain the only remaining patch,1 placing it at the end of column 4 make sense, as a patch is missing between fr. 18 and fr. 59. The rightmost part is the second row of Champollion's fragment Ff.
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos Canon 14 |  |
ḏꜢ-ḏꜢ-y | Djadjay |
| Saqqara Canon 48 |  |
bbty | Bebety |
| Africanus II (9) | — | Χενερης | Khenerēs (30 years) |
| Eusebius II (9) | — | Χενερης | Khenerēs (30 years) |
- 1 Gardiner 1959: 18
Column 4.4
The Dual King Nebka ... 19
nsw-bit nb-kꜢ ...
King
Nebka (18th king)
Dynasty
III (1)
Fragment(s)
18 + 32 (+50?)
Gardiner
III 4
Gardiner saw a clear trace of a one after the kꜢ -sign,1 which is absent in the facsimiles of Lepsius and Wilkinson. The ditto marks for lifetime seem to indicate that none existed, or perhaps it was simply a mistake by the scribe. The rightmost part is the first row of Champollion's fragment Gg.
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos Canon 15 |  |
nb-kꜢ | Nebka |
| Saqqara Canon 45 |  |
nb-kꜢ-rꜤ | Nebkara |
| Africanus III (1) | — | Nεχεροφης | Nekherophēs (28 years) |
| Eusebius III (1) | — | Νεχερωχις | Nekherōkhis |
- 1 Gardiner 1959: 15 (III 4 a)
Column 4.5
King
Djoser (19th king)
Dynasty
III (2)
Fragment(s)
18 + 32 (+50?)
Gardiner
III 5
The name is certain with just one possible sign lost above the t . This is the only example in the king list where a title is written in red ink, likely due to the excellent reputation of Djoser in later times. The rightmost part is the second row of Champollion's fragment Gg.
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos Canon 16 |  |
ḏsr-sꜢ | Djosersa |
| Saqqara Canon 47 |  |
ḏsr | Djoser |
| Africanus III (2) | — | Tοσορθρος | Tosorthros (29 years) |
| Eusebius III (2) | — | Σεσορθος | Sesorthos |
Column 4.6
The Dual King Djoserti,
nsw-bit ḏsr-ti
King
Sekhemkhet (20th king)
Dynasty
III (3)
Fragment(s)
18 + 136 + 32
Gardiner
III 6
The absence of the rnpt ligature seems to indicate that the ditto mark stand for the entire length of reign formula, plus the year. The rightmost part is the third row of Champollion's fragment Gg.
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos Canon 17 |  |
tti | Teti |
| Saqqara Canon 46 |  |
ḏsr-tti | Djoserteti |
| Africanus III (3) | — | Tυρεις | Tyreis (7 years) |
Column 4.7
The Dual King
nsw-bit
King
Hudjefa II (21st king)
Dynasty
III (4)
Fragment(s)
136 + 32 + 18
Gardiner
III 7
The first vertical stroke is likely a partial I10-sign (ḏ ),1 but curiously there is no trace of the G1-sign (Ꜣ ).2 The likely name would be Hudjefa, a pseudonym replacing an illegible or damaged name. The name Sedjes in the Abydos Canon derive from sḏsy , ‘it is damaged,’ just as ḥw-ḏfꜢ .3 The six years was assigned as the length of reign was damaged in a vorlage to the Canon. The meaning of the ditto mark(?) at the end is a curiosity.
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos Canon 18 |  |
sḏs | Sedjes |
- 1 Möller, Hieratische Paläographie II, No. 250
- 2 Gardiner 1959: 16 (III 7 b)
- 3 Helck 1956: 14-15
Column 4.8
The Dual King Hu
King
Huni (22nd king)
Dynasty
III (5)
Fragment(s)
136 + 31 + 32 + 17 + 18
Gardiner
III 8
The sublinear sign on fr. 17 could be a I9-sign (f ).1 The G17-sign (m ) as seen by Gardiner does not seem to be present at the end of fr. 18. The rightmost part (fr. 31) is the first row of Champollion's fragment L.
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saqqara Canon 44 |  |
ḥwni | Huni |
| Palermo Stone |  |
ḥw-nswt | Hunisut |
- 1 Gardiner 1959: 16 (III 8 a); Möller, Hieratische Paläographie II,, No. 263
Column 4.9
The Dual King Snofer(u), 24 years ...
King
Sneferu (23rd king)
Dynasty
IV (1)
Fragment(s)
31 + 32 + 17
Gardiner
III 9
The opening cartouche is missing. A possible trace of the quail chick sign (G43, w ) is visible on fr. 32. The rightmost part (fr. 31) is the second row of Champollion's fragment L.
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos Canon 20 |  |
s-nfr-w | Sneferu |
| Saqqara Canon 43 |  |
s-nfr-w | Sneferu |
| Karnak Canon 2 |  |
s-nfr-w | Sneferu |
| Africanus IV (1) | — | Σωρις | Sōris (29 years) |
Column 4.10
King
Khufu (24th king)
Dynasty
IV (2)
Fragment(s)
32
Gardiner
III 10
The name is entirely lost, only a number of years remain. Khufu was the successor of his father Sneferu, which is known from contemporary records, and also seen in the canons of Abydos and Saqqara.
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos Canon 21 |  |
ḫfw | Khufu |
| Saqqara Canon 42 |  |
ḫwfw | Khufu |
| Africanus IV (2) | — | Σουφις | Souphis (63 years) |
| Eusebius IV (3) | — | Σουφις | Souphis |
| Herodotus 124.1 | — | Χεοπα | Kheopa |
| Eratosthenes 15 | — | Σαωφις | Saōphis (29 years) |
Column 4.11
King
Radjedef (25th king)
Dynasty
IV (3)
Fragment(s)
32
Gardiner
III 11
The name is entirely lost, only a couple number of years remain. Radjedef succeeded his father Khufu, and his name is found in the Abydos and Saqqara Canons, albeit with slightly varying names. This clearly indicate that his name would have been found here.
Significantly, there is no ten-sign after the year-sign, indicating that he only reigned for eight years.
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos Canon 22 |  |
ḏd.f-rꜤ | Radjedef |
| Saqqara Canon 41 |  |
ḏd.f-rꜤ | Radjedef |
| Africanus IV (5) | — | Ρατοισης | Rhatoisēs (25 years) |
| Eratosthenes 13 | — | Ραυωσις | Rhayōsis (13 years) |
Column 4.12
The Dual King Kha...
King
Khafra (26th king)
Dynasty
IV (4)
Fragment(s)
33 + 32
Gardiner
III 12
The trace of a N28-sign (ḫꜤ ) must belong to Khafra, as he was the only Fourth Dynasty king using that sign in his name. The trace of a possible G43-sign (w ),1 would explain its presence in the Saqqara Canon. No numbers are preserved.
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos Canon 23 |  |
ḫꜤ.f-rꜤ | Khafra |
| Saqqara Canon 40 |  |
ḫꜤ.w-f-rꜤ | Khaufra |
| Africanus IV (3) | — | Σουφις | Souphis (66 years) |
| Herodotus 127.1 | — | Χεφρηνα | Khephrēna |
- 1 Möller, Hieratische Paläographie II, No. 200
Column 4.13
The Dual King ... years
nsw-bit ... rnpt ...
King
Baufra (27th king)
Dynasty
IV (5)
Fragment(s)
33 + 32
Gardiner
III 13
The name of the fifth king of the dynasty is lost. It is probable that records from the Old Kingdom were lost over time, resulting in a tradition based on historical facts, but altered for cultic or political reasons. However, as can be seen in many places in the Canon, kings were not supressed for being unpopular or ephemeral, while the cultic records omitted undesirable ancestors.1 The tradition of the pyramid builders overshadowed the ‘lesser’ kings of the dynasty, which over time, were simply lumped together at the end of the dynasty. According to Manetho, the sixth and eight kings were Bikheres,2 and Thamphthis, both otherwise completely unknown and unattested.
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Africanus IV (6) | — | Bιχερης | Bikherēs (22 years) |
| Eratosthenes 14 | — | Βιυρης | Biurēs (10 years) |
- 1 For example, the removal of Hatshepsut from all inscribed New Kingdom cultic king lists.
- 2 Possibly the Hellenised rendering of ba-ka-ra. See Ryholt 1997: , 18.
Column 4.14
King
Menkaura (28th king)
Dynasty
IV (6)
Fragment(s)
33 + 32 + 34 + 38
Gardiner
III 14
Only the bottom part of the ten-sign is visible, meaning the number of years could be 18, 28, or even 38.1 With a minimum reign of 18 years, the lost name would most likely have belonged to Menkaura, who had his pyramid built at Giza. Fragment 34 holds the first row of Champollion's fragment Qq.
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos Canon 24 |  |
mn-kꜢw-rꜤ | Menkaura |
| Africanus IV (4) | — | Mενχερης | Menkherēs (63 years) |
| Herodotus 129.1 | — | Μυκερινον | Mykerinon |
| Eratosthenes 17 | — | Μοσχερως | Moskherēs (31 years) |
- 1 Möller, Hieratische Paläographie II, No. 623-25; Gardiner 1959: 16 (III 14 b)
Column 4.15
King
Shepseskaf (29th king)
Dynasty
IV (7)
Fragment(s)
34 + 38
Gardiner
III 15
The name is lost, only traces of the closing cartouche remains. Shepseskaf succeeded Menkaura, and is known to only have ruled for a few years, which would seem to fit well with the 4 years recorded here. The traces on fr. 38 were omitted by Gardiner and only commented as being blank. Fragment 34 holds the second row of Champollion's fragment Qq.
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos Canon 25 |  |
šps-kꜢ.f | Shepseskaf |
| Africanus IV (7) | — | Σεβερχερης | Seberkherēs (7 years) |
Column 4.16
King
Thamphthis (30th king)
Dynasty
IV (8)
Fragment(s)
34 + 38
Gardiner
III 16
The name is lost, only the record of a two-year reign remain. The tradition of the pyramid builders overshadowed the "lesser" kings of the dynasty, which over time, were simply lumped together at the end of the dynasty. In this position, Manetho record Thamphthis,1 a king that is otherwise completely unattested. The Abydos Canon does not record a king between Shepseskaf (25) and Userkaf (26.) Fragment 34 holds the third row of Champollion's fragment Qq.
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Africanus IV (8) | — | Θαμφθις | Thamphthis (9 years) |
- 1 Possibly the Hellenised rendering of Djedefptah (ḏd.f-ptḥ). See Ryholt 1997: , 17f.
Column 4.17
King
Userkaf (31st king)
Dynasty
V (1)
Fragment(s)
34
Gardiner
III 17
At the end of the cartouche, there are traces a D28-sign (kꜢ ), and below that possibly a minute part of an I9-sign (f ). This is the first row of Champollion's fragment Ll.
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos Canon 26 |  |
wsr-kꜢ.f | Userkaf |
| Saqqara Canon 34 | |
wsr-kꜢ.f | Userkaf |
| Africanus V (1) | — | Ουσερχερης | Ouserkherēs (28 years) |
Column 4.18
King
Sahura (32nd king)
Dynasty
V (2)
Fragment(s)
34
Gardiner
III 18
The name is lost, and only the record of 12 years remains. Sahura was the son of Userkaf, and is attested on the Abydos and Saqqara Canons as his successor. This is the second row of Champollion's fragment Ll.
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos Canon 27 |  |
sꜢḥw-rꜤ | Sahura |
| Saqqara Canon 33 | |
sꜢḥw-rꜤ | Sahura |
| Karnak Canon 3 | |
sꜢḥw-rꜤ | Sahura |
| Africanus V (2) | — | Σεφρης | Sephrēs (13 years) |
Column 4.19
King
Neferirkara I Kakai (33rd king)
Dynasty
V (3)
Fragment(s)
34
Gardiner
III 19
The name is missing, only the cartouche end remain. Neferirkara was the first king to use a prenomen and nomen as independent names. Attested on the Abydos and Saqqara Canons as the successor to his father Sahura. This is the third row of Champollion's fragment Ll.
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos Canon 28 |  |
kꜢ-KꜤ-i | Kakai |
| Saqqara Canon 32 |  |
nfr-ir-kꜢ-rꜤ | Neferirkara |
| Africanus V (3) | — | Νεφερχερης | Nepherkherēs (20 years) |
Column 4.20
King
Shepseskara Netjeruser (34th king)
Dynasty
V (4)
Fragment(s)
34
Gardiner
III 20
Shepseskara probably usurped the throne and only ruled a few months, but is present on the Saqqara Canon between Neferirkara and Neferefra. As the fourth king of the dynasty, he is identified with Manetho's Sisires who is attributed a 7 year reign.
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saqqara Canon 31 |  |
šps-kꜢ-rꜤ | Shepseskara |
| Africanus V (4) | — | Σισιρης | Sisirēs (7 years) |
Column 4.21
King
Neferefra Isi (35th king)
Dynasty
V (5)
Fragment(s)
34
Gardiner
III 21
The entire name is lost, and the singular year stroke is in accord with the contemporary evidence that his reign lasted only a year or two. Neferefra was the eldest son of Neferirkara and is present in the Abydos Canon. Also present in the Saqqara Canon, but there as Kha-nefer-ra, which is puzzling. Perhaps it was confused with his Horus name, Nefer-khau with similar signs. Unreadable(?) trace of red ink on fr. 45.1
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos Canon 29 |  |
nfr.f-rꜤ | Neferefra |
| Saqqara Canon 30 |  |
ḫꜤ-nfr-rꜤ | Khaneferra |
| Africanus V (5) | — | Χερης | Kherēs (20 years) |
- 1 Gardiner 1959: 19
Column 4.22
King
Niuserra Ini (36th king)
Dynasty
V (6)
Fragment(s)
34
Gardiner
III 22
Only the bottom part of the ten-sign is visible, followed by a stroke after which the papyrus breaks off. Accordingly, the number could be 11-14, 21-24, or 31-34.1 The two names of Niuserra are found on the Abydos and Karnak Canons respectively.
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos Canon 30 |  |
ni-wsr-rꜤ | Niuserra |
| Karnak Canon 4 |  |
ini | Ini |
| Africanus V (6) | — | Ραθουρης | Rhathourēs (44 years) |
- 1 Gardiner 1959: 16 (III 22 a)
Column 4.23
The Dual King Menkauhor, 8 years
King
Menkauhor Kaiu (37th king)
Dynasty
V (7)
Fragment(s)
34
Gardiner
III 23
Attested on the Abydos and Saqqara Canons with variants of the same name. Manetho name him Menkheres , the hellenized form of Menkahor, and also indicate a reign of 9 years. The rightmost part is the first row of Champollion's fragments Aa and Hh.
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos Canon 31 |  |
mn-kꜢ.w-ḥr | Menkauhor |
| Saqqara Canon 29 |  |
mn-kꜢ-ḥr | Menkahor |
| Africanus V (7) | — | Μενχερης | Menkherēs (9 years) |
Column 4.24
The Dual King Djedu, 28 years
King
Djedkara Isesi (38th king)
Dynasty
V (8)
Fragment(s)
34
Gardiner
III 24
Attested on the inscribed New Kingdom Canons under three slightly different names, with a fourth variant recorded here. The variations are likely due to lacunae in the original records. The rightmost part (i.e. the name) is the second row of Champollion's fragments Aa and Hh.
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos Canon 32 |  |
ḏd-kꜢ-rꜤ | Djedkara |
| Saqqara Canon 28 |  |
mꜢꜤ.t-kꜢ-rꜤ | Maatkara |
| Karnak Canon 5 |  |
issi | Isesi |
| Africanus V (8) | — | Τανχερης | Tankherēs (44 years) |
Column 4.25
The Dual King Unas, 30 years
King
Unas (39th king)
Dynasty
V (9)
Fragment(s)
34
Gardiner
III 25
Any additional numbers are lost as the papyrus break off. Unas, the last king of the fifth dynasty, is also present on the Abydos and Saqqara Canons. Manetho hellenized his name as Onnos, and recorded his reign to be 33 years. The end of the name is the third row of Champollion's fragment Hh.
Other sources
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos Canon 33 |  |
wnis | Unis |
| Saqqara Canon 27 | |
wnis | Unis |
| Africanus V (9) | — | Οννος | Onnos (33 years) |
Column 4.26
Fragment(s)
34
Gardiner
III 26
Summation of the First through Fifth Dynasties. The number of years lost in the lacuna can be calculated by taking Summation 3 (5.16–17) and subtracting Summation 2 (5.14–15), which result in 768 years. Perhaps only the full years were recorded, or omitted altogether, as there is not enough space for the years, months, and days.1 The end of the name is the fourth row of Champollion's fragment Hh.
- 1 Ryholt 2004: 141, n. 36
https://pharaoh.se/ancient-egypt/kinglist/turin/column-4/