Pharaoh.se

Pepi I in hieroglyphs

The third pharaoh of the Sixth Dynasty, a.k.a. Pepy I

Pepi I pursued an expansion of the kingdom into Nubia, and traded with far away places. Pepi's pyramid complex, Men-nefer Pepi,, later gave name to the whole city of Memphis. The name means "enduring and perfect (is the pyramid) of Pepi".
His first throne name, Nefersahor, perfect is the protection of Horus, was later altered to Meryra, beloved of Ra, perhaps in response to the increased influence of the sun cult of Ra.

Precedessor
Userkara

Successor
Nemtiemsaf I
Reign of Pepi I
AE Chronology2276–2228
v. Beckerath2310–2260
Shaw2321–2287
Dodson2265–2219
Allen2289–2255
Malek2280–2243
Franke2295–2250
Redford2354–2310
Turin King List44 years
Manetho (Africanus)53 years

The Royal Titulary

From the hieroglyphic records

The Dual King
The Son of Ra

Horus Mery tawy  The Dual King Mery Ra  Son of Ra Pepi

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
Mery tawy
mry-tꜢwi
Beloved of the Two Lands
mr-i-i-N17:N17
Urkunden des Ägyptische Alterthums , I, 94-95
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 115c & 116a
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 62-63, 3:H

Nebty name

Two ladies hieroglyphs

The “Two Ladies”, the goddesses Nekhbet and Wadjet, representing Upper and Lower Egypt respectively.

Nebty name
Mery khet
mry-ẖt
Beloved of the Two Ladies’ bodies
mr-i-i-X:t
Urkunden des Ägyptische Alterthums , I, 94-95
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 115c
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 62-63, 3:N

Golden Horus name

Golden Horus name

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

Golden Horus name
Biku nebu
bik-wi-nbw
The triple golden falcons
G5*G5*G5:nbw
Urkunden des Ägyptische Alterthums , I, 94-95
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 115c
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 62-63, 3: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
Mery Ra
mry-rꜤ
Beloved of Ra
ra-mr-i-i
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 115c & 116a
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 62-63, 3:T2
Throne name variant
Mery Ra*
mry-rꜤ
Beloved of Ra
ra-U7\:r-i-i
Abydos Canon no. 36

Throne name variant
Nefer sa Hor
nfr-zꜢ-ḥr
Perfect is the protection of Horus
G5-nfr-V18
Early throne name, later changed to Meryra.
Urkunden des Ägyptische Alterthums , I, 208-209
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 62-63, 3:T1
Throne name variant
Name missing
–
–
Turin King List 5.4
Gardiner, The Royal Canon of Turin (1959) IV:4

Birth name

Nomen or birth name

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

Birth name
Pepi
pipi
–
p-p-i-i
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 113g
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 62-63, 3:E1

The sources of antiquity

From the writings of the historians and scholars of antiquity

AuthorGreekTranscriptionReign
Africanus vi, 2 Φιος Phius 53 years
Eratosthenes 19 Παμμης Aρχουδης Pammes Archondes 35

Bibliography

  • Gauthier, H. Le livre des rois d'Égypte. MIFAO 17 (1907): 150–162
  • Beckerath, J., 1999. “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, Second edition, MÄS 49: 62–63
  • Leprohon, R. J., 2013. The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary. Atlanta: 42
  • Baker. D. D., 2008. The Encyclopedia of the Pharaohs: Volume I. London: 292–295
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