Den
| Also known as: Dewen, Udimu | Dynasty I |
The Horus name Den is unlikely to be an accurate realisation. The meaning of the name is as obscure as its proper pronouncation. He was the first pharaoh to use the title nswt-bjtj (king of Upper and Lower Egypt.) The name of the fifth ruler on Abydos king list is Sepati, consisting of two N24 signs, which were likely misread in later periods instead of N25. Likewise, the name on the Turin papyrus, Qenty, has the sign Aa8 (qn) which is a probably a corruption of sign N24 (spAt) or N25 (xAstj) both known from other names of Den.
| Reign of Den | |
|---|---|
| AE Chronology | 2814–2772 |
| von Beckerath | 2914–2867 |
| Malek | 2879–2832 |
| Grimal | 3050–2995 |
| Turin Canon | 74 years |
| Manetho | 20 years |
The Royal Titulary
From the hieroglyphic records
Petrie, Royal Tombs, I, plates XIV, XV, XXI
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 38-39, 5:H
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 38-39, 5:G
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 38-39, 5:N
Mariette, Abydos, I, plate 43 (5)
The signs for desert (N25) were likely misread during the NK as districts (N24)
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 38-39, 5:1
Gardiner, The Royal Canon of Turin (1959), II:16
Papyrus Ebers, Plate XXIX recto, Column 103.2
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 38-39, 5:2
The sources of antiquity
From the writings of the historians and scholars of antiquity
| Author | Greek | Transliteration | Transcription | Reign |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Africanus i, 5 | Ουσαφαιδoς | Ousaphaidos | Usaphaidus | 20 years |
| Eusebius i, 5 | Ουσαφαης | Ousaphais | Usaphais | 20 years |
Bibliography
Beckerath, J. Handbuch der Ägyptischen Königsnamen, MÄS 49 (1999): 38–39
Baker. D. D. The Encyclopedia of the Pharaohs: Volume I – Predynastic to the Twentieth Dynasty 3300–1069 BC (London, 2008), 78–80
Gauthier, H. Le livre des rois d'Égypte. MIFAO 17 (1907): 6–9
Leprohon, R. J. The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary (Atlanta, 2013), 26
The full titulary was announced at the coronation, when a pharaoh officially became king.
Horus name
The oldest form of a pharaoh's name, often enclosed in a serekh, a sort of "heraldic crest" representing a palace facade.
Nebty name
The "Two Ladies", the heraldic goddesses Nekhbet and Wadjet, representing Upper and Lower Egypt respectively.
Golden Horus name
Gold was strongly associated with eternity, but the meaning of this title is disputed.
Throne name
(prenomen) Announced at the coronation, and written in a cartouche.
Personal name
(nomen) The name given at birth, also written in a cartouche.
- Turin king list
223 kings – Dynasty 19 - Abydos Canon
76 kings – Dynasty 19 - Saqqara Canon
58 kings – Dynasty 19 - Karnak Canon
61 kings – Dynasty 18 - Comparing the canons
Abydos, Saqqara and Karnak - Ramesseum Canon
Ramesses II Mortuary Temple - Medinet Habu Canon
Ramesses III Mortuary Temple
Ancient historians
- Herodotus
450 BC – Histories - Manetho
250 BC – Aegyptiaca - Diodorus
50 BC – Bibliotheca Historica - Josephus
100 CE – Against Apion - Africanus
220 CE – Chronographai - Eusebius
325 CE – Chronicon - Jerome
380 CE – Chronicon - Syncellus
800 CE – Egloga Chronographai - Eratosthenes
Probably a forgery (date unknown) - Comparing the sources
Transmission of Manetho
by Africanus et. al.
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