Mentuhotep IV in hieroglyphs

The seventh pharaoh of the Eleventh Dynasty, a.k.a. Montuhotep IV

The seven year lacuna noted in the Turin King-list 6.18 seems to fit well with Mentuhotep IV being the last king of the dynasty, though it only give 6 kings belonging to the dynasty. It seems likely that his vizier, a certain Amenemhat, succeeded him on the throne, starting the great twelfth dynasty as Amenemhat I.

Precedessor
Mentuhotep III

Successor
Amenemhat I

Reign of Mentuhotep IV
AE Chronology1947–1940
v. Beckerath1983–1976
Shaw1992–1985
Dodson2001–1994
Malek1987–1980
Grimal1997–1991
Franke1945–1938

The Royal Titulary

From the hieroglyphic records

The Dual King
The Son of Ra

Horus Neb tawy  The Dual King Neb tawy Ra  Son of Ra Mentuhotep

Horus name

Horus name

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

Horus name
Horus name
Neb tawy
nb-tꜢwi
The Lord of the Two Lands
nb:N17:N17
Wadi Hammamat rock inscription
MIFAO 34. 98 (192)
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 149c-d
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 80-81, 7:H

Nebty name

Two ladies hieroglyphs

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

Nebty name
Neb tawy
nb-tꜢwi
The Lord of the Two Lands
nb:N17:N17
Wadi Hammamat rock inscription
MIFAO 34. 98 (192)
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 149c-d
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 80-81, 7:N

Golden Horus name

Golden Horus name

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

Golden Horus name
Netjeru nebu
nṯrw-nbw
The golden one of the Gods
nTrw:nbw
Wadi Hammamat rock inscription
MIFAO 34. 98 (192)
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 149c-d
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 80-81, 7:G

Throne name

Prenomen or 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
Neb tawy Ra
nb-tꜢwi-rꜤ
The lord of the Two Lands of Ra
ra-nb:N17:N17
Wadi Hammamat rock inscription
MIFAO 34. 98 (192)
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 149c-h
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 80-81, 7:T1

Birth name

Nomen or birth name

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

Birth name
Mentuhotep
mnṯw-ḥtp
Montu is satisfied
mn:n:T-w-Htp:t*p
Wadi Hammamat rock inscription
MIFAO 34. 98 (192)
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 149c-d
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 80-81, 7:E

Bibliography

  • Gauthier, H. Le livre des rois d'Égypte. MIFAO 17 (1907): 222–225
  • Beckerath, J., 1999. “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, Second edition, MÄS 49: 80–81
  • Leprohon, R. J., 2013. The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary. Atlanta: 56
  • Baker. D. D., 2008. The Encyclopedia of the Pharaohs: Volume I. London: 229–230
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