Ay is believed to be the father of Nefertiti. the wife of Akhenaten. When Tutankhamun died, his powerful vizier Ay quickly stepped in and assumed kingship, despite fact that general Horemhab was the designated heir. Manetho assigned Armais with a reign for 4-5 years, which usually has been assigned to Ay instead, based on his known highest date of 4 years. It is now believed that the assignation of Armais to Horemhab was correct, but the number of years should be raised by ten. This leaves Ay unaccounted for by Manetho, unless one of the three(!) Akenchereses could somehow be assigned to Ay.
| Precedessor Successor | |
|---|---|
| Reign of Ay | |
| AE Chronology | 1323–1320 |
| v. Beckerath | 1325–1321 |
| Shaw | 1327–1323 |
| Dodson | 1333–1328 |
| Arnold | 1338–1335 |
| Malek | 1327–1323 |
| Grimal | 1327–1323 |
| Redford | 1346–1343 |
| Highest attestation | Year 4 |
The Royal Titulary
From the hieroglyphic records
Horus Ka nakht tjehen khau The Dual King Kheper kheperu Ra Son of Ra It netjer Ay
Horus names
The oldest form of the name of a pharaoh, a falcon representing Horus is perched on the palace facade.
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 146-147, 14:H1
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 146-147, 14:H2
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 146-147, 14:H3
Nebty name
The “Two Ladies”, the goddesses Nekhbet and Wadjet, representing Upper and Lower Egypt respectively.
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 114b+c
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 146-147, 14:N1
Golden Horus name
Horus perched on Gold, which was associated with eternity, but its meaning is disputed.
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 114b+c
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 146-147, 14:G
Throne names
Announced at the coronation and always written in a cartouche. The “official” name of the pharaoh. Also known as the Prenomen.
Porter & Moss, Topographical Bibliography , I, 570 (8:1)
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 114b+c
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 113a+d
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 146-147, 14:T1
d'Avennes, Histoire de l'art Egyptien, Atlas I, plate 6
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 113d
Birth names
Personal name given at birth. Also known as the Nomen.
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 146-147, 14:E2
d'Avennes, Histoire de l'art Egyptien, Atlas I, plate 6
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 113; 114b+c
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 146-147, 14:E1
Bibliography
- Gauthier, H. Le livre des rois d'Égypte. MIFAO 18 (1912): 374–380
- Beckerath, J., 1999. “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, Second edition, MÄS 49: 146–147
- Leprohon, R. J., 2013. The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary. Atlanta: 106–107
- Baker. D. D., 2008. The Encyclopedia of the Pharaohs: Volume I. London: 62–65
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