Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt

The royal titulary of the Egyptian Pharaohs was the standard naming convention taken by the kings of Ancient Egypt. It symbolises their supremacy and holy might. The names were sometimes altered during the reign to mark an important event.

A drawing of a pharaoh

The knowledge to read and write hieroglyphs was lost by 450 CE, and would remain so until the 1820s, when the Rosetta Stone was deciphered. Like in Arabic and Hebrew, hieroglyphic writing does not normally indicate vowels, and use sounds not common in most European languages. Since the ancient Egyptian language has been dead for two millennia, the knowledge of how the writing was actually pronounced can only be estimated. When transcribing Egyptian words, the general rule among Egyptologists was to use the pronunciation clues provided by Coptic, otherwise they would add an 'e' between consonants until they got something pronounceable to European ears.

Early Egyptology was dominated by French, English and German scholars, who naturally wrote mainly in their own languages. The transcription of names was still new and was done individually by each scholar, which meant that names were read and transcribed differently. As knowledge of the Egyptian language grew, so did the names. For example, a pharaoh first known as Amuntuankh evolved into the name Tutankhamun, and is still spelt slightly differently in various languages (Toutânkhamon, Tutanchamun, Tutankamón etc).

The sun god of Egypt is Ra. In order to maintain consistency, the hieroglyphic sun-disk ⊙ (Gardiner-sign N5) will be transliterated as Ra in these pages, despite the fact that the use of Re is commonly used in the names of many pharaohs. This is probably(?) due to nothing else but the longstanding widespread use of -re. For example: the pharaohs Ramesses and Neferkare both contain the sun-sign, one as Ra the other as Re.

The fivefold royal titulary consisted of the Horus, Nebty, Golden Horus, Throne, and Birth names. It established the king's authority and legitimacy and served as a mission statement for his reign. Some pharaohs are only known by one or two of the five names, and many remain to be assigned to the correct king. There are also several still unidentified names of the pharaohs.

List of the Pharaohs

The pharaohs of ancient Egypt, from predynastic times up to and including the roman emperors, who were not pharaohs as such, but are included here because some of their names were inscribed on monuments using hieroglyphs. The chronological order of the pharaohs is difficult to determine because it has been more than 2,000 years since the last one ruled.

It is like trying to complete a jigsaw puzzle with half of the pieces are missing, with pieces from other puzzles mixed in — all while wearing a blindfold and mittens to put the pieces together. Moreover, as new research is conducted, the order may be subject to change. This is a fundamental principle that applies to all Egyptian dynasties.

Predynastic kings

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1SekaHsekiu
2KhayuIukha
3TiuTeyew
4TjeshThesh, Tesh
5NehebNiheb
6WenegbuWazner, Wadjenedj
7MekhImykhet

First Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1NarmerMenes2900–
2AhaHor-Aha?–2870
3DjerHor-Djer2870–2823
4DjetWadj, Zet, Uadji2822–2815
5DenDewen, Udimu2814–2772
6AdjibAnedjib, Enezib2771–2764
7Semerkhet2763–2756
8QaaKaa2755–2732

Second Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1HotepsekhemwyHetepsekhemwy, Hotepsekhemui2730–?
2NebraRaneb, Kakau?–2700
3NinetjerNynetjer, Banetjer2700–2660
4Wadjenes
5SenedjSened?–2610
6Sekhemib2650–?
7PeribsenSeth-Peribsen, Perabsen2660–2650
8SneferkaSekanefer, Neferseka, Seneferka
9Neferkasokar
10Hudjefa I
11KhasekhemwyKhasekhemui2610–2593

Third Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1NebkaHen Nekht (not in use anymore)
2DjoserZezer, Zozer, Djeser2592–2566
3SekhemkhetDjosertety, Djoserteti, Djoserty2565–2559
4Hudjefa II
5Mesochris
6NebkaraNebkare
7NeferkaraNeferkare
8Huni?–2544

Fourth Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1SneferuSnefru, Snofru2543–2510
2KhufuCheops2509–2483
3RadjedefDjedefra, Djedefre2482–2475
4KhafraKhafre, Chephren, Khefren2472–2448
5MenkauraMenkaure, Mykerinos, Mycerinus2447–2442
6Shepseskaf2441–2436
7BaufraBaefra, Baufre, Baka, Bicheris, Bikka2474–2473
8ThamphthisDjedefptah, Ptahdjedef
9HordjedefDjedefhor

Fifth Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1Userkaf2435–2429
2SahuraSahure2428–2416
3Neferirkara I KakaiNeferirkare I2415–2405
4Shepseskara NetjeruserShepseskare
5Neferefra IsiNeferefre, Raneferef2403
6Niuserra IniNiuserre2402–2374
7Menkauhor KaiuHorikau, Ikauhor2373–2366
8Djedkara IsesiDjedkare Isesi2365–2322
9UnasWenis, Unis2321–2306

Sixth Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1Teti2305–2279
2UserkaraUserkare, Woserkare
3Pepi IPepy I2276–2228
4Nemtiemsaf INemtyemsaf I, Merenre I2227–2217
5Pepi IIPepy II, Neferkare2216–2153
6Nemtiemsaf IINemtyemsaf II, Merenre II2152

Seventh Dynasty

There is no evidence of a 7th dynasty.
Africanus wrote that 70 kings ruled for 70 days,
while Eusebius wrote that 5 kings of ruled for 75 days.

Eighth Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1NetjerikaraNetjerikare, Nitocris
2MenkaraMenkare
3Neferkara IINeferkare II
4Neferkara NebyNeferkare Neby
5Djedkara ShemaiDjedkare Shemay
6Neferkara KhenduNeferkare Khendu
7Merenhor
8Neferkamin ISeneferka
9NikaraNikare
10Neferkara TereruNeferkare Tereru
11Neferkahor
12Neferkara PepisenebNeferkare Pepiseneb
13Neferkamin Anu
14Qakara Ibi
15NeferkauraNeferkaure
16Neferkauhor
17Neferirkara IINeferirkare II

Ninth Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1Meribra Khety IMeribre Khety I
2Neferkara IIINeferkare III
3Wahkara Khety IIWahkare Khety II
4Senen
5Neferkara Khety IIINeferkare Khety I

Tenth Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1Nebkaura Khety IVNebkaure Khety IV, Khety Vbetween 2160 and 2130
2MerikaraMerykarec. 2075–2040
?Sekhemkara ISekhemkare I
?WadjkaraWadjkare
?Ity
?Imhotep
?Hotep
?Khui
?Isu
?Iytenu

Eleventh Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1Mentuhotep IMentuhotep-aa
2Intef IAntef I, Anjotef I, Inyotef I
3Intef IIAntef II, Anjotef II, Inyotef II2066–2017
4Intef IIIAntef III, Anjotef III, Inyotef III2016–2009
5Mentuhotep IIMontuhotep II2009–1959
6Mentuhotep IIIMontuhotep III1958–1947
7Mentuhotep IVMontuhotep IV1947–1940

Twelfth Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1Amenemhat IAmenemhet I1939–1910
2Senusret ISenusret I, Senwosret I1920–1875
3Amenemhat IIAmenemhet II1878–1843
4Senusret IISenusret II, Senwosret II1845–1837
5Senusret IIISenusret III, Senwosret III, Sesostris1837–1819
6Amenemhat IIIAmenemhet III1818–1773
7Amenemhat IVAmenemhet IV1772–1764
8NeferusobekSobekneferu1763–1760

Thirteenth Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1Sobekhotep ISekhemre Khutawy Sobekhotep1803–1800
2SonbefSekhemkare Amenemhat Sonbef1800–1796
3NerikaraNerikare1796
4Sekhemkara AmenemhatAmenemhat V1796–1793
5Ameny Qemau1793–1791
6Qemau SiharnedjheritefAmenemhat VI1791–1788
7Iufni1788
8Sankhibra Amenemhat1788–1785
9NebnunSemenkare Nebnun, Nebennu1785–1783
10Sewesekhtawy Sehotepibra1783–1781
11Sewadjkara1781
12Nedjemibra1780
13Sobekhotep IIKhaankhre Sobekhotep, Sobekhotep I in older studies1780–1777
14Ranisonb1777
15Hor I1777–1775
16Sekhemra Khutawy1775–1772
17Djedkheperu1772–1770
18Sebkay1770–1769
19Sedjefakara Kay-AmenemhatAmenemhat VII1769–1766
20Wegaf1766–1764
21Khendjer1764–1759
22ImyremeshawSmenkhkare Emramesha1759
23Intef IVIntef V, Sehotepkare Intef
24Meribra Seth1749
25Sobekhotep IIISekhemre Sewadjtawy Sobkhotep1749–1742
26Neferhotep IKhasekhemre Neferhotep1742–1731
27SihathorMenwadjre Sihathor, Sahathor1733
28Sobekhotep IVKhaneferre Sobekhotep1732–1720
29Sobekhotep VMerhotepre Sobekhotep, Sobekhotep VI in older studies1720–1717
30Sobekhotep VIKhahotepre Sobekhotep, Sobekhotep V1717–1712
31Wahibra JaibWahibre Iaib, Wahibre Ibiau1712–1701
32AyaMerneferre Ay1701–1677
33IniMerhotepre1677–1675
34SewadjtuSankhenre1675–1672
35InedMersekhemre1672–1669
36Sewadjkara Hori1669–1664
37Sobekhotep VIIMerkaure Sobekhotep1664–1662
46MerkheperraMerkheperre
47MerkaraMerkare
49Mentuhotep VSewadjare Mentuhotep, Mentuhotep VI
51Ibi
52Hor II
53Se...karaSekare
54Sankhptahi
?SekhaenraYakbim, Yakobmu
?Maara SobekhotepSobekhotep IX
?Senebmiu

Fourteenth Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1Yakbim1805–1780
2YammuYa’amu, Jamu, Jaam, Nubwoserre Ya’ammu1780–1770
3Qareh1770–1760
4AahotepraAahotepre1760–1745
5SheshiSheshy1745–1705
6NehesiNehesy, Nehsy1705
7KhakheruraKhakherure
8NebfauraNebfaure1704
9SehabraSehabre
10MerdjefaraMerdjefare1694
11Sewadjkara IIISewadjkare III
12NebdjefaraNebdjefare
13WebenraWebenre, Ubenre
15..djefara
16..webenra1690
17AwibraAwibre, Auibra
18HeribraHeribre
19NebsenraNebsenre
22SekheperenraSekheperenre
23DjedkheruraDjedkherewre
24Sankhibra IISeankibre, Sankhibre
25Nefertum..raKanefertemre
26Sekhem..ra
27KakemuraKakemure, Kakemetre
28NeferibraNeferibre
29I..ra
30KhakaraKhakare
31AkaraAkare, Aakare
32HapuSemenenra, Semenenre, Hepu
33AnatiDjedkara
34BabnumBebnem, Bebnum
43Senefer..ra
44Men..ra
45Djed..ra
49Inek..
50A..Ineb...
51Ap..Apophis
?Wazad
?Sheneh

Fifteenth Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1Salitis
2Sakir-HarSakarher, Seker-Her1621–
3KhyanKhian, Khayan1621–1581
4ApepiNebkhepeshre, Aqenenre, Aweserre, Apophis1581–1541
5KhamudyKhamudi1541–1540
?Aperanat
?Semqen
?Apachnas
?Sharek
?BeonBnon

Sixteenth Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
2Djehuty1649–1648
3Sobekhotep VIIISekhemre Seusertawy Sobekhotep1645–1629
4Neferhotep III1629
5MentuhotepiSankhenre Mentuhotepi, Mentuhotep VII1628–1627
6Nebirau INebiryraw I, Sewadjenre1627–1601
7Nebirau IINebiryraw II1601
8Semenenra1601–1600
9BebiankhSewoserenre, Seuserenre1600–1588
10Sekhemra Shedwaset1588
11Dedumose IDjedhotepre
12Dedumose IIDjedneferre
13MentuemsafDjedankhre
14Mentuhotep VIMerankhre
15Senusret IVSeneferibre
?Pepi IIISeneferankhre
?NebmaatraNebmaatre
?Anetjerira
?MeribraMeribre
?NubankhraNubankhre
?Nikara II

Seventeenth Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1RahotepRehotep1580–1576
2Sobekemsaf I1576–1573
3Sobekemsaf II
4Intef VSekhemra-Wepmaat Intef
5Intef VINubkheperra Intef
6Intef VIISekhemra Heruhirmaat Intef
7SenakhtenraSenakhtenre Tao in older texts1559–1558
8SeqenenraSeqenenre Tao1558–1554
9KamoseKamesiu1555–1550

Abydos (Thinite) Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1Senebkay
2Wepwawetemsaf
3Pantjeny
4Snaaib

Eighteenth Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1Ahmose IAmasis, Amosis1550–1525
2Amenhotep IAmenophis I1541–1520
3Thutmose ITuthmosis I, Thutmosis I1520–1492
4Thutmose IITuthmosis II, Thutmosis II1492–1479
5HatshepsutHatchepsut1473–1458
6Thutmose IIITuthmosis III, Thutmosis III1479–1425
7Amenhotep IIAmenophis II1425–1400
8Thutmose IVTuthmosis IV, Thutmosis IV1400–1390
9Amenhotep IIIAmenophis III1390–1352
10Amenhotep IVAkhenaten, Akhenaton, Echnaton, Amenophis IV1352–1334
11NeferneferuatenNefertiti, Meritaten1334–1332
12SmenkhkaraSmenkhare, Smenkare1332–
13TutankhamunTutankhamon, King Tut, Tutankhamen, Tutankhaton1332–1323
14AyAja, Aya1322–1320
15HoremhebHoremhab, Haremhab1320–1292

Nineteenth Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1Ramesses IRamses I1292–1290
2Seti ISethos I1290–1279
3Ramesses IIRameses II, Ramses II1279–1213
4MerenptahMerneptah1213–1203
5Seti IISethos II1203–1200
6AmenmesseAmenmesses, Amenmose1203–1197
7SiptahMerenptah Siptah1197–1191
8TausretTawosret, Twosret1191–1190

Twentieth Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1SetnakhtSetnakhte1190–1186
2Ramesses IIIRameses III, Ramses III1186–1155
3Ramesses IV1155–1149
4Ramesses V1149–1145
5Ramesses VI1145–1137
6Ramesses VII1137–1130
7Ramesses VIII1130–1129
8Ramesses IX1129–1111
9Ramesses X1111–1107
10Ramesses XI1107–1077

Twenty-first Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1Smendes I1077–1051
2AmenemnesutAmenemnisu1051–1047
3Psusennes I1047–1001
4Amenemope1101–992
5OsochorOsorkon the Elder992–986
6Siamun986–967
7Psusennes II967–943

Twenty-second Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1Shoshenq ISheshonq I, Sheshonk I943–922
2Osorkon I922–887
3Shoshenq IISheshonq II, Sheshonk II
4Shoshenq IIbSheshonq IIb, Sheshonk IIb
5Takelot I885–872
6Osorkon II872–837
7Shoshenq IIISheshonq III, Sheshonk III837–798
8Shoshenq IV798–785
9Pami785–778
10Shoshenq VSheshonq V, Sheshonk V778–740
11Pedubast II
12Osorkon IV740–720

Twenty-third Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1Takelot II840–815
2Pedubast I829–804
3Iuput I829–804
4Shoshenq VIPreviously known as Shoshenq IV804–798
5Osorkon III798–769
6Takelot III774–759
7RudamunRudamon759–755

Twenty-fourth Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1Tafnakht
2Bakenrenef

Twenty-fifth Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1PiyePiankhi, Piankhy, Pije, Pianchy752–721
2ShabakaSabacon721–707
3ShebitkoShebitku707–690
4TaharqaTaharka, Taharqo690–664
5TenutamenTantamani664–656

Twenty-sixth Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1Necho INekao I
2Psamtik IPsammetichus I
3Necho IINekao II
4Psamtik IIPsammetichus II
5ApriesHophra
6AmasisAhmose II, Ahmose III
7Psamtik IIIPsammecherites, Psammetichus III

Twenty-seventh Dynasty

Persian satrapy

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1Cambyses II525–522
2Darius I522–486
3Xerxes I486–465
4Artaxerxes I465–424
5Darius II424–405
6Artaxerxes II405–404

Twenty-eighth Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1Amyrtaeus404–399

Twenty-ninth Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1Neferites I398–393
2Akoris393–380
3Psammuthis393
4Neferites II380
5Muthis

Thirtieth Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1Nectanebo I380–362
2Djedhor Teos I362–360
3Nectanebo II360–343

Thirty-first Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1Artaxerxes III343–338
2Arses338–336
3Darius III336–332

Argead Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1Alexander the Great332–323
2Philip III Arrhidaeus323–317
3Alexander IV Aegus317–309

Ptolemaic Dynasty

#PharaohAlternate namesReign (BC)
1Ptolemy IPtolemaios Soter305–285
2Ptolemy IIPtolemaios Philadelphos288–246
3Ptolemy IIIPtolemaios Euergetes246–222
4Ptolemy IVPtolemaios Philopator222–204
5Ptolemy VPtolemaios Epiphanes204–180
6Ptolemy VIPtolemaios Philometor180–145
7Ptolemy VIIPtolemaios Neos Philopator145
8Ptolemy VIIIPtolemaios Euergetes Physcon169–164,
144–132,
126–116
9Ptolemy IXPtolemaios Soter Lathyrus116–110,
109–107,
88–81
10Ptolemy XPtolemaios Alexander110–109,
107–88
11Ptolemy XIPtolemaios Alexander II80
12Ptolemy XIIPtolemaios Neos Dionysus Auletes80–58
13Ptolemy XIIIPtolemaios Philopator II51–47
14Ptolemy XIVPtolemaios Philopator Philadelphus47–44
15Cleopatra VIIKleopatra51–30
16Ptolemy XVPtolemaios Philopator Philometor Caesarion44–30

Roman Emperors

#EmperorLatin namesReign (CE)
1AugustusImperator Caesar Divi Filius Augustus27 BC–14 CE
2TiberiusTiberius Caesar Divi Augusti Fīlius Augustus14–37
3CaligulaGaius Julius Caesar Augustus Germanicus37–41
4ClaudiusTiberius Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus41–54
5NeroNero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus54–68
6GalbaServius Sulpicius Galba Caesar Augustus68–69
7OthoMarcus Salvius Otho Caesar Augustus69
8VespasianusVespsian, Titus Flavius Caesar Vespasianus Augustus69–79
9TitusTitus Flavius Sabinus Vespasianus Augustus79–81
10DomitianusDomitian, Titus Flavius Caesar Domitianus Augustus81–96
11NervaMarcus Cocceius Nerva Caesar Augustus96–98
12TrajanusTrajan, Imperator Caesar Nerva Traianus Divi Nervae filius Augustus98–117
13HadrianusHadrian, Publius Aelius Hadrianus Augustus117–138
14Antoninus PiusTitus Fulvus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Augustus Pius138–161
15Marcus AureliusMarcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus161–180
16Lucius VerusLucius Aurelius Verus Augustus161–169
17CommodusMarcus Aurelius Commodus Antoninus Augustus177–192
18Septimius SeverusLucius Septimius Severus Augustus193–211
19CaracallaMarcus Aurelius Severus Antoninus Augustus217–218
20GetaPublius Septimius Geta Augustus217–218
21MacrinusMarcus Opellius Severus Macrinus Augustus244–249
22DiadumenianusDiadumenian, Marcus Opellius Antoninus Diadumenianus249–251
23Philippus ArabsPhilip the Arab, Marcus Julius Philippus Augustus253–260
24Trajanus DeciusDecius, Caesar Gaius Messius Quintus Traianus Decius Augustus276–282
25ValerianusValerian, Publius Licinius Valerianus Augustus284–305
26ProbusMarcus Aurelius Probus Augustus276–282
27DiocletianusDiocletian, Gaius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus Augustus284–305
28MaximianusMaximian, Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus Herculius Augustus286–305
29GaleriusGaius Galerius Valerius Maximianus Augustus305–311
30Maximinus DaiaMaximinus II, Gaius Valerius Galerius Maximinus Daia Augustus311–313

Unplaced pharaohs or kings

There are several pharaohs where their reigns and identities remain shrouded in mystery. Whether controversial or completely unknown, archaeologists and historians alike tries to unlock their secrets.

#KingAlso known asRemarks
1Anather-Contemporary with Dynasty XII?
2Harsiese A-Ruled at Thebes during Dynasty XXIII
3Ini II-Ruled at Thebes during Dynasty XXIII
4PeftjauawybastPeftjaubastGovernor(?) at Herakleopolis installed by Piye
5Pedubast IIIPetubastis IVRevolted against the Persian Domination of Dynasty XXVII
6Psamtik IVPsammetichus IVProbably rebelled against the Persian Domination
7InarosInarus, Inaros IIRebelled against the Persian Domination

Disclaimer

For various reasons, the king lists above are incomplete, and will likely remain so. Most of the kings not included are very obscure, or very unlikely to have actually ruled over Egypt. I guess it all depends on where to draw the line.

New research may alter the chronological order, which is a fundamental principle that applies to all Egyptian dynasties. However, the field of Egyptology is characterised by a very slow pace of change, with significant shifts often taking decades to emerge, and often remaining hidden in the confines of esoteric journal articles or academic circles. Bear that in mind.