Djedkara Isesi in hieroglyphs

The eighth pharaoh of the Fifth Dynasty, a.k.a. Djedkare Isesi

Djedkara Isesi is present on all four king lists of the New Kingdom, albeit with different names on each. They are, in chronological order: Karnak (5) has Issi, Abydos (32) has Djedkara, the Turin papyrus (4.24) has Djedu, and Saqqara (28) has Maatkara. The discrepancies are likely due to errors by the Ramesside scribes. He is also present on Manetho's king list as Tankheres which is the Greek transcription of Djedkara.

Precedessor
Menkauhor Kaiu

Successor
Unas

Reign of Djedkara Isesi
AE Chronology2365–2322
v. Beckerath2380–2342
Shaw2414–2375
Dodson2340–2312
Allen2381–2353
Malek2369–2341
Redford2436–2404
Turin King List28 years
Manetho (Africanus)44 years

The Royal Titulary

From the hieroglyphic records

The Dual King
The Son of Ra

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

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
Djed khau
ḏd-ḫꜤw
Enduring of appearances
Dd-xa-w
Bissing, Das Re-Heiligtum des Königs Ne-Woser-Re (Rathures), I, 158, fig. 131
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 60-61, 8:H

Nebty name

Two ladies hieroglyphs

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

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

Nomen or birth name

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

AuthorGreekTranscriptionReign
Africanus v, 8 Τανχερης Tancheres 44 years

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
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