Nemtiemsaf I in hieroglyphs

The fourth pharaoh of the Sixth Dynasty, a.k.a. Nemtyemsaf I, Merenre I

In older literature Nemtiemsaf was known as Antiemsaf, but this has been proven to be incorrect. The correct reading is Nemtiemsaf. His name is included in Manetho's king list as Methousouphis, which could be a Greek transcription of Merenra. To distinguish him from his namesake, Nemtiemsaf II, he is often numbered as Merenra I, but there is no contemporary evidence that Nemtiemsaf II also used Merenra as his throne name. It has only been found in the Abydos king list of Seti I which was created some 900 years later.

Precedessor
Pepi I

Successor
Pepi II

Reign of Nemtiemsaf I
AE Chronology2227–2217
v. Beckerath2260–2254
Shaw2287–2278
Dodson2219–2212
Allen2255–2246
Malek2242–2237
Franke2250–2245
Redford2310–2300
Turin King List20 years
Manetho (Africanus)7 years

The Royal Titulary

From the hieroglyphic records

The Dual King
The Son of Ra

Horus Ankh khau  The Dual King Mer en Ra  Son of Ra Nemty em saf

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
Ankh khau
Ꜥnḫ-ḫꜤw
(Whose) appearances are (very much) alive
anx-xa-w
Rock inscription, Hamamat
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 115d
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). VI, 4 H

Nebty name

Two ladies hieroglyphs

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

Nebty name
Ankh khau nebty
Ꜥnḫ-ḫꜤw
(for whom) The appearances of the Two Ladies are alive
anx-xa-w
Rock inscription, Hamamat
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 115d
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). VI, 4 N

Golden Horus names

Golden Horus name

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

Golden Horus name
Bikwy nebu
bikwi-nbw
The golden double falcon
G5*G5:S12
Alabaster vase, Cairo Museum CG 18694 (JE2090)
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 62-63, 4:G2
Golden Horus name variant
Bikwy nebu
bikwi-nbw
The golden double falcon
G135*G135:nbw
Rock inscription, Hamamat
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 115d
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). VI, 4 G1

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
Mer en Ra
mr-n-rꜤ
The one whom Ra has loved
ra:U7-r:n
Abydos Canon no. 37
Karnak Canon no. 16
Chenoboskion Tomb 1
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 113g
Throne name variant
Mer en Ra
mr-n-rꜤ
The one whom Ra has loved
ra-U7:n
Saqqara Canon no. 24
Meyer, Ägyptische Chronologie, plate 1 (24)
Throne name variant
Name missing
Turin King List 5.3
Gardiner, The Royal Canon of Turin (1959) IV:3

Birth name

Nomen or birth name

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

Birth name
Nemty em saf
nmty-m-sꜢf
Nemty is his protection
G7A-m-V18-f
Sethe, Die Altaegyptischen Pyramidentexte nach den Papierabdrucken und Photographien des Berliner Museums, I, 8
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 62-63, 4:E

The sources of antiquity

From the writings of the historians and scholars of antiquity

AuthorGreekTranscriptionReign
Africanus vi, 3 Μεθουσουφις Methusuphis 7 years

Bibliography

  • Gauthier, H. Le livre des rois d'Égypte. MIFAO 17 (1907): 163–168
  • 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: 43
  • Baker. D. D., 2008. The Encyclopedia of the Pharaohs: Volume I. London: 209–211
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