Pharaoh.se

Menkauhor Kaiu in hieroglyphs

The seventh pharaoh of the Fifth Dynasty, a.k.a. Horikau, Ikauhor

Menkauhor is known from Manetho who transcribed the name as Menkheres. The Turin papyrus 4.23 holds his name, as does the king lists of Abydos (number 31) and Saqqara number (29).

Precedessor
Niuserra Ini

Successor
Djedkara Isesi
Reign of Menkauhor Kaiu
AE Chronology2373–2366
v. Beckerath2389–2380
Shaw2421–2414
Dodson2348–2340
Allen2389–2381
Malek2377–2369
Redford2444–2436
Turin King List8 years
Manetho (Africanus)9 years

The Royal Titulary

From the hieroglyphic records

The Dual King
The Son of Ra

Horus Men khau  The Dual King Men kau Hor  Son of Ra Ikau

Horus name

Horus name

The oldest form of the name of a pharaoh, a falcon representing Horus is perched on the palace facade.

Horus name
Horus name
Men khau
mn-kꜢ-w
Established of appearances
mn:xa-w
Cerny, Inscriptions of Sinai, I, plate 7 (12)
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 58-59, 7:H

Golden Horus name

Golden Horus name

Horus perched on Gold, which was associated with eternity, but its meaning is disputed.

Golden Horus name
Bik nebu hedj
bik-nbw-ḥḏ
The radiant golden falcon
T3*G5:nbw
Kaplony, Rollsiegel des Alten Reiches, II, plate 84
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 58-59, 7:G

Throne names

Prenomen or throne name

Announced at the coronation and always written in a cartouche. The “official” name of the pharaoh. Also known as the Prenomen.

Throne name
Men ka Hor
mn-kꜢ-ḥr
The established one of the ka of Horus
G5-mn:kA
Saqqara Canon no. 29

Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 58-59, 7:T2
Throne name variant
Men ka Hor
mn-kꜢ-ḥr
The established one of the ka of Horus
G5-G7-mn:n-kA-Z1-G7
Turin King List 4.23
Gardiner, The Royal Canon of Turin (1959) III:23
Throne name variant
Men kau Hor
mn-kꜢw-ḥr
The established one of the kas of Horus
G5-mn:n-kA*kA:kA
Abydos Canon no. 31

Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 58-59, 7:T1

Birth names

Nomen or birth name

Personal name given at birth. Also known as the Nomen.

Birth name
Ikau Hor
i-kꜢw-ḥr
–
G5-i-kA-w
Derived from the Throne name, meaning it was likely not the birth name
Tomb of Seshemnefer IV (LG 53)
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 80b
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 58-59, 7:E1
Birth name variant
Ikau
ikꜢw
–
kA-i-w
Likely an abbreviation of Ikauhor
Zeitschrift für Ägyptische Sprache und altertumskunde, 85, pp. 79-81
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 58-59, 7:E2

The sources of antiquity

From the writings of the historians and scholars of antiquity

AuthorGreekTranscriptionReign
Africanus v, 7 Μενχερης Mencheres 9 years

Bibliography

  • Gauthier, H. Le livre des rois d'Égypte. MIFAO 17 (1907): 130–132
  • Beckerath, J., 1999. “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, Second edition, MÄS 49: 58–59
  • Leprohon, R. J., 2013. The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary. Atlanta: 40
  • Baker. D. D., 2008. The Encyclopedia of the Pharaohs: Volume I. London: 198–199
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