Niuserra Ini in hieroglyphs

The sixth pharaoh of the Fifth Dynasty, a.k.a. Niuserre

When Neferefra died unexpectedly, his brother Niuserra was set to succeed him, but as he was still only a child, Shepseskara managed to usurp the throne for a year or so, before he in turn was ousted and the rightful king was put on the throne. Niuserra is included on Manetho's king list as Rathures, which is the Greek transcription of his name.

Precedessor
Neferefra Isi

Successor
Menkauhor Kaiu

Reign of Niuserra Ini
AE Chronology2402–2374
v. Beckerath2420–2380
Shaw2445–2421
Dodson2359–2348
Allen2420–2389
Malek2404–2377
Redford2474–2444
Turin King List11–34 years
Manetho (Africanus)44 years

The Royal Titulary

From the hieroglyphic records

The Dual King
The Son of Ra

Horus Set ib tawy  The Dual King Ni user Ra  Son of Ra Ini

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
Set ib tawy
s-t-ib-tꜤwi
The favorite of the Two Lands
st-t:ib-N16:N16
Bissing, Das Re-Heiligtum des Königs Ne-Woser-Re (Rathures), I, 68
JvB, 58/59 (6 H)
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 58-59, 6:H

Nebty name

Two ladies hieroglyphs

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

Nebty name
Set ib
s-t-ib
The favorite of the Two Ladies
st-t:ib
Bissing, Das Re-Heiligtum des Königs Ne-Woser-Re (Rathures), I, 68
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 58-59, 6: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 netjer
bik-nbw-nṯr
The divine golden falcon
nTr*G5:nbw
Bissing, Das Re-Heiligtum des Königs Ne-Woser-Re (Rathures), I, plate 15
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 58-59, 6:G

Throne name

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
Ni user Ra
ni-wsr-rꜤ
Possessed of Ra's power
ra-n-wsr*s:r
Abydos Canon no. 30

Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 39
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 58-59, 6:T

Birth names

Nomen or birth name

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

Birth name
Ini
ini
i-in:n
Birth name variant
Ini
ini
in:n-i
Mariette, Les Mastabas de l'ancien empire, I, 255
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 58-59, 6:E1
Birth name variant
Ini
ini
in:n-i-i
Mariette, Les Mastabas de l'ancien empire, I, 254
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 58-59, 6:E2
Birth name variant
In
in
in:n
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 58-59, 6:E3

The sources of antiquity

From the writings of the historians and scholars of antiquity

AuthorGreekTranscriptionReign
Africanus v, 6 Ραθουρης Rathures 44 years

Bibliography

  • Gauthier, H. Le livre des rois d'Égypte. MIFAO 17 (1907): 124–129
  • Beckerath, J., 1999. “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, Second edition, MÄS 49: 58–59
  • 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: 284–286
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