Sobekhotep III in hieroglyphs

The Royal Titulary

From the hieroglyphic records

Horus Khu tawy  The Dual King Sekhem Ra sewadj tawy  Son of Ra Sobek hotep

Horus names

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

Horus name

Khu tawy

ḫwi-tꜢwi

The protector of the Two Lands

D43:N17:N17

Prisse d'Avennes, Monuments egyptiens, plate VIII
Louvre stele C8
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 94-95, 21:H1

Horus name variant

Khu tawy

ḫwi-tꜢwi

The protector of the Two Lands

x:D43-N17:N17

JEA 37, plate VI (between p. 22-23)
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 94-95, 21:H2

Nebty name

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

Nebty name

Kha em sekhemef

ḫꜤi-m-sḫm.f

The one who has appeared through his power

xa:a-m-sxm-Z1:f

Fouilles de l’Institut français d’archéologie orientale, 5, 84-89
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 94-95, 21:N

Golden Horus names

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

Golden Horus name

Hotep her Maat

ḥtp-ḥr-mꜢꜤt

Contented with Maat

Htp:D2*Z1-C10A

Fouilles de l’Institut français d’archéologie orientale, 5, 84-89
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 94-95, 21:G1

Golden Horus name variant

Hotep her Maat

ḥtp-ḥr-mꜢꜤt

Contented with Maat

Htp:D2*Z1-U1-t:a

Fouilles de l’Institut français d’archéologie orientale, 17, 125-127
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 94-95, 21:G2

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

Sekhem Ra sewadj tawy

sḫm-rꜤ swꜢḏ-tꜢwi

The (very) power of Ra, who has made the Two Lands flourish

ra-sxm-s-wAD-N17:N17

Prisse d'Avennes, Monuments egyptiens, plate VIII
Louvre stele C8
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 94-95, 21:T

Birth names

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

Birth name

Sobek hotep

sbk-ḥtp

Sobek is satisfied

s-b-k-Htp:t*p

Prisse d'Avennes, Monuments egyptiens, plate VIII
Louvre stele C8
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 94-95, 21:E2

Birth name variant

Sobek hotep

sbk-ḥtp(w)

Sobek is satisfied

sbk-Htp:t*p

Fouilles de l’Institut français d’archéologie orientale, 5, 84-89
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 94-95, 21:E1

Throne + Birth names

Combination of Throne- and Birth-name cartouches
probably only used for a special occasion.

Throne + Birth name

Sekhem Ra [sewadj tawy] sobek hotep

sḫm-rꜤ [swꜢḏ-tꜢwi] sbk-ḥtp(w)

The (very) power of Ra, [who has made the Two Lands flourish], Sobekhotep

ra-Y8-//-I5A-Htp:t*p

Throne + Birth name variant

Sekhem Ra sewadj tawy Sobek hotep

sḫm-rꜤ swꜢḏ-tꜢwi

The (very) power of Ra, who has made the Two Lands flourish, Sobekhotep

ra-sxm-s-wAD-N17:N17-I3:Htp

Scarab from Koptos, Petrie Museum, UC 11536

Bibliography

• Gauthier, H. Le livre des rois d'Égypte. MIFAO 18 (1912): 19–22
• Beckerath, J., 1999. “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, Second edition, MÄS 49: 92–95
• Leprohon, R. J., 2013. The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary. Atlanta: 67
• Baker. D. D., 2008. The Encyclopedia of the Pharaohs: Volume I. London: 446–448