The first pharaoh of the First Dynasty, a.k.a. Menes
| Precedessor Successor | |
|---|---|
| Reign of Narmer | |
| AE Chronology | c. 2900 |
| Grimal | 3150–3125 |
| Manetho (Africanus) | 62 years |
| Manetho (Eusebius) | 30 years |
In the New Kingdom king lists, the first king of Egypt is named Meni , who is regarded as the first pharaoh of the unified Kingdom of Egypt. The Greek equivalent is Min , as stated by Herodotus, while Manetho, via Africanus and Eusebius, calls him Menes . However, there is no contemporary archaeological evidence containing the cartouche name of Menes, as cartouches did not begin to be used until the time of the Old Kingdom.
It seems that the practice of placing the nebty names into cartouches was undertaken by scribes due being unable to recognise or locate the corresponding names from the ancient sources. Fittingly, Meni means : He who endures.
The contemporary Horus name of the first king, Narmer, is well attested. It is firmly established that he indeed was the first ruler of the kingdom. The early kings were only known by their Horus name, and there is no evidence that Narmer used any other.
It seems that the practice of placing the nebty names into cartouches was undertaken by scribes due being unable to recognise or locate the corresponding names from the ancient sources. Fittingly, Meni means : He who endures.
The contemporary Horus name of the first king, Narmer, is well attested. It is firmly established that he indeed was the first ruler of the kingdom. The early kings were only known by their Horus name, and there is no evidence that Narmer used any other.
The Royal Titulary
From the hieroglyphic records
Horus Narmer The Dual King Meni*
Horus names
The oldest form of the name of a pharaoh, a falcon representing Horus is perched on the palace facade.
Horus name
Narmer
nꜤr-mr
Fierce catfish of Horus
K24-U23
Narmer Palette (JE32169)
Petrie, Royal Tombs, II, plate II (3)
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Fierce catfish of Horus
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 36-37, x+4:H1
Petrie, Royal Tombs, II, plate II (3)
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Fierce catfish of Horus
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 36-37, x+4:H1
Horus name variant
Narmer Tjaj
nꜤr-mr-ṯꜢi
Manly catfish of Horus
K24-U23-G47
Petrie, Tarkhan, I, plate II (2)
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Manly catfish of Horus
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 36-37, x+4:H4
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Manly catfish of Horus
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 36-37, x+4:H4
Horus name variant
Nar
nꜤr
Catfish of Horus
K24
Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts, Abteilung Kairo , 38, fig. 14-15, #40
Petrie, Royal Tombs, II, plate XIII (91,92)
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Catfish of Horus
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 36-37, x+4:H3
Petrie, Royal Tombs, II, plate XIII (91,92)
Translation: Leprohon, The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary, Catfish of Horus
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 36-37, x+4:H3
Nebty name
The “Two Ladies”, the goddesses Nekhbet and Wadjet, representing Upper and Lower Egypt respectively.
Nebty name
Men
mn
–
mn
Ivory label with king Aha attending a funerary ritual for the deceased Menes
Cairo Museum JE 31773 (CG 14142)
Garstang, (1905). “The tablet of Mena” in ZÄS 42, 61-64
Edwards, Cambridge Ancient History, 11
Cairo Museum JE 31773 (CG 14142)
Garstang, (1905). “The tablet of Mena” in ZÄS 42, 61-64
Edwards, Cambridge Ancient History, 11
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
Meni*
mni
He who endures
mn:n-i
Abydos Canon no. 1
Mariette, Abydos, I, plate 43 (1)
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 38-39, 1:E1
Mariette, Abydos, I, plate 43 (1)
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 38-39, 1:E1
Throne name variant
Meni*
mni
He who endures
mn:n-i-A1
Turin King List 3.10
Gardiner, The Royal Canon of Turin (1959) II:10
Gardiner, The Royal Canon of Turin (1959) II:10
Throne name variant
Meni*
mni
He who endures
mn:n-i-y-G7
Turin King List 3.11
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 38-39, 1:E2
Gardiner, The Royal Canon of Turin (1959) II:11
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 38-39, 1:E2
Gardiner, The Royal Canon of Turin (1959) II:11
Throne name variant
Meni*
mny
He who endures
mn:n-ii
Epigraphic Survey, Medinet Habu, Vol IV, plate 213
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 163
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 163
The sources of antiquity
From the writings of the historians and scholars of antiquity
| Author | Greek | Transcription | Reign |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eusebius i, 1 | Μηνης | Menes | 30 years |
| Herodotus 99.2 | Μινα | Mina | |
| Diodorus 1.45.1/3 | Μηναν / Μηνα | Menan / Mena | |
| Eratosthenes 1 | Μηνης | Menes | 62 |
Bibliography
- Gauthier, H. Le livre des rois d'Égypte. MIFAO 17 (1907): 1–3; 17–19
- Beckerath, J., 1999. “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, Second edition, MÄS 49: 36–37
- Leprohon, R. J., 2013. The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary. Atlanta: 22
- Baker. D. D., 2008. The Encyclopedia of the Pharaohs: Volume I. London: 237–240
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