The Sixth Dynasty pharaoh Pepi II’s protracted rule and lack of a heir undermined the central government, and after his passing, the Old Kingdom collapsed and the nation descended into anarchy. Two opposing cities contended for control of a decentralised Egypt: northern Heracleopolis and southern Thebes. Although this period has long been considered to be a “dark age,” recent studies show that it was actually an era of change and transition when local nomarchs replaced the central monarchy at Memphis with local authority and customs.
The lack of reliable documents adds to the image as a “dark age,” as does the lack of art and architecture. The almost complete absence of historical records is perhaps the most significant barrier to understanding this period. The Old Kingdom had preserved Egypt’s past in stone by building pyramids and mortuary complexes that recounted their stories. With no central administration during this time, preserving history was not a top priority for the local rulers. Middle Kingdom.
Dynasty VII
There is no evidence of a seventh dynasty.
Africanus wrote that 70 kings ruled for 70 days,
while Eusebius wrote that 5 kings of ruled for 75 days.
while Eusebius wrote that 5 kings of ruled for 75 days.
Dynasty VIII
# | Pharaoh | Alternate names | Reign (BC) |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Netjerikara | Netjerikare, Nitocris | |
2 | Menkara | Menkare | |
3 | Neferkara II | Neferkare II | |
4 | Neferkara Neby | Neferkare Neby | |
5 | Djedkara Shemai | Djedkare Shemay | |
6 | Neferkara Khendu | Neferkare Khendu | |
7 | Merenhor | ||
8 | Neferkamin I | Seneferka | |
9 | Nikara | Nikare | |
10 | Neferkara Tereru | Neferkare Tereru | |
11 | Neferkahor | ||
12 | Neferkara Pepiseneb | Neferkare Pepiseneb | |
13 | Neferkamin Anu | ||
14 | Qakara Ibi | ||
15 | Neferkaura | Neferkaure | |
16 | Neferkauhor | ||
17 | Neferirkara II | Neferirkare II |
Dynasty IX
# | Pharaoh | Alternate names | Reign (BC) |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Meribra Khety I | Meribre Khety I | |
2 | Neferkara III | Neferkare III | |
3 | Wahkara Khety II | Wahkare Khety II | |
4 | Senen | ||
5 | Neferkara Khety III | Neferkare Khety I |
Dynasty X
# | Pharaoh | Alternate names | Reign (BC) |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Nebkaura Khety IV | Nebkaure Khety IV, Khety V | between 2160 and 2130 |
2 | Merikara | Merykare | c. 2075–2040 |
? | Sekhemkara I | Sekhemkare I | |
? | Wadjkara | Wadjkare | |
? | Ity | ||
? | Imhotep | ||
? | Hotep | ||
? | Khui | ||
? | Isu | ||
? | Iytenu |