Djedkara Isesi in hieroglyphs

The Royal Titulary

From the hieroglyphic records

Horus Djed khau  The Dual King Djed ka Ra  Son of Ra Isesi

Horus name

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

Horus name

Djed khau

ḏd-ḫꜤw

Enduring of appearances

Dd-xa-w

Bissing, Das Re-Heiligtum des Königs Ne-Woser-Re (Rathures), I, 158, fig. 131
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Enduring of appearances
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 60-61, 8:H

Nebty name

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

Nebty name

Djed khau

ḏd-ḫꜤw

Enduring of appearances (by means of) the Two Ladies

Dd-xa-w

Bissing, Das Re-Heiligtum des Königs Ne-Woser-Re (Rathures), I, 158, fig. 131
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Enduring of appearances (by means of) the Two Ladies
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 60-61, 8:N

Golden Horus name

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

Golden Horus name

Bik nebu djed

bik-nbw-ḏd

The enduring golden falcon

Dd*G5:nbw

Bissing, Das Re-Heiligtum des Königs Ne-Woser-Re (Rathures), I, 158, fig. 131
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, The enduring golden falcon
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 60-61, 8:G

Throne names

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

Throne name

Djed ka Ra

ḏd-kꜢ-rꜤ

The soul of Ra is enduring

ra-Dd-kA

Abydos Canon no. 32
Saqqara pyramid Tomb 17
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 65/67
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 60-61, 8:T1

Throne name variant

Djedu

ḏdw

–

Dd-Dd

Turin King List 4.24
Gardiner, The Royal Canon of Turin (1959) III:24

Throne name variant

Djed ka Hor

ḏd-kꜢ-ḥr

The soul of Horus is enduring

G5-Dd-kA

Adams, Ancient Nekhen, 126
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 60-61, 8:T2

Throne name variant

Maat ka Ra

mꜢꜤt-kꜢ-rꜤ

The soul of Ra is justified

N5-H6-D28

Saqqara Canon no. 28

Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 60-61, 8:T3

Birth names

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

Birth name

Isesi*

issi

–

i-s-s-i

Papyrus Prisse
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 60-61, 8:E2

Birth name variant

Isesi

issi

–

i-z:z-i

Saqqara pyramid Tomb 17
Tomb of Seshemnefer IV (LG 53)
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 67 & 80
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 60-61, 8:E1

Birth name variant

Isesi*

iss

–

M17-Y1v-S29-S29

CFEETK KIU 6079:13
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 60-61, 8:E3

The sources of antiquity

From the writings of the historians and scholars of antiquity

Bibliography

• Gauthier, H. Le livre des rois d'Égypte. MIFAO 17 (1907): 133–138
• Beckerath, J., 1999. “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, Second edition, MÄS 49: 60–61
• 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: 83–85