Merenptah in hieroglyphs

The fourth pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty, a.k.a. Merneptah

Merenptah was the thirteenth son of Ramesses II and ascended the throne when he was at least sixty years old. While Manetho records that he ruled for 20 years, it was probably only about half of that.

Precedessor Ramesses II Successor Seti II
Reign of Merenptah
AE Chronology	1213–1203
v. Beckerath	1213–1203
Shaw	1213–1203
Dodson	1212–1201
Arnold	1224–1214
Malek	1213–1203
Grimal	1212–1202
Redford	1237–1226
Manetho (Africanus)	20 years
Manetho (Eusebius)	40 years
Manetho (Jerome)	40 years
Highest attestation	Year 10

The Royal Titulary

From the hieroglyphic records

Horus Ka nakht ha em Maat The Dual King Ba en Ra, mery netjeru Son of Ra Mer en Ptah, hotep her Maat

Horus names

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

Horus name

Ka nakht ha em Maat

kꜢ-nḫt ḥi-m-mꜢꜤt

The strong bull who rejoiced in Truth

E1:D40-V71-A28-m-H6

Libyan war stela of Merenptah (Athribis stela), Cairo JdE 50568 (recto)
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 20:8
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 4:H1

Horus name variant A1

Ka nakht ha em Maat

kꜢ-nḫt ḥꜤi-m-mꜢꜤt

The strong bull who rejoiced in Truth

E1:D40-A28-Aa15-Aa11v:t-C10A

CG 34025 (Israel stele)
Petrie, Six temples at Thebes, plate XIII and XIV
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 13:7
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 4:H2

Horus name variant A2

Ka nakht ha em Maat

kꜢ-nḫt ḥꜤi-m-mꜢꜤt

The strong bull who rejoiced in Truth

E1:D40-H*A28:a-m-C10A

Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 64:5

Horus name variant A3

Ka nakht ha em Maat

kꜢ-nḫt ḥꜤi-m-mꜢꜤt

The strong bull who rejoiced in Truth

E1:D40-H-A137-m&t-H6

Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 43:16
Petrie, Tanis, II, plate VII (137)

Horus name variant A4

Ka nakht ha em Maat

kꜢ-nḫt ḥꜤi-m-mꜢꜤt

The strong bull who rejoiced in Truth

E1:D40-V71-A28-M:mAa

Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 51:13

Horus name variant A5

Ka nakht ha em Maat

kꜢ-nḫt ḥꜤi-m-mꜢꜤt

–

E1:D40-H-a:Z4*A28-m-C10A

Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 72:14

Horus name variant A6

Ka nakht ha em Maat

kꜢ-nḫt ḥꜤi-m-mꜢꜤt

The strong bull who rejoiced in Truth

E1:D40-H-a:Z4-A28*H6:Aa15

Usurped Ramesses II colossus, dorsal pillar (Cairo JdE 35126)
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 59:1-2

Horus name variant A7

Ka nakht ha em Maat

kꜢ-nḫt ḥꜤi-m-mꜢꜤt

The strong bull who rejoiced in Truth

E1:D40-H-Z4-A28-a-m-C10A

Memphis Palace of Merenptah
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 55:5

Horus name variant A8

Ka nakht ha em Maat henek su en Ra em kheret-heru

kꜢ-nḫt ḥꜤi-m-mꜢꜤt ḥnk-sw-n-rꜤ-m-ẖrt-hrw

The strong bull who rejoiced in Truth, and who offers it to Ra every day

E1:D40-H-a:y-A28-m-C10A-H-M2:n-k:D38-sw-w-n:(ra:Z1)*A40-Aa15:T28:r-ra:Z1:t

Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 200d
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 4:H3

Horus name variant B1

Ka nakht der pedjut 9

kꜢ-nḫt dr-pḏt

The strong bull who repelled the Nine Bows

E1:D40-d:r:pD-3:3:3

ASAE , 15, 104
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 54:11
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 4:H9

Horus name variant B2

Ka nakht der pedjut 9

kꜢ-nḫt dr-pḏt-9

The strong bull (who defeated?) the Nine Bows

E1:D40-H-A24-T10:t*3:3*3

Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 13:8
CG 34025 (Israel stele)

Horus name variant C

Ka nakht mai hebenef

kꜢ-nḫt iw-ḥbn.n.f

The strong bull (like) a triumphant lion

E1:D40-E22A-H*b:n:nw*W-T30:D40:n:f

Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 1:8
Wall stele of Merenptah at temple of Amada
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 4:H4

Horus name variant D1

Ka nakht sa Amun

kꜢ-nḫt zꜢ-imn

The strong bull, son of Amun

E1:D40-zA&Z1-i-mn:n

Petrie, Tanis, II, plate 7
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 4:H11

Horus name variant D2

Ka nakht sa Amun

kꜢ-nḫt zꜢ-imn

–

E1:D40-C12A-H8:1

Petrie, Tanis, II, plate VII 136
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 43:5

Horus name variant E1

Ka nakht sa Ra

kꜢ-nḫt zꜢ-rꜤ

The strong bull, son of Ra

E1:D40-zA&ra

Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 55:1
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 4:H10

Horus name variant E2

Ka nakht sa Tatenen

kꜢ-nḫt zꜢ-ṯꜢ-tnn

The strong bull, son of Tatenen

E1:D40-C18C-H8:1

Petrie, Tanis, II, plate 7
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 43:7

Horus name variant F

Ka nakht nesu tawy

kꜢ-nḫt nsw-tꜢwi

The strong bull and king of the Two Lands

E1:D40-sw-t:N17:N17

Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 54:16
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 4:H14

Horus name variant G

Ka nakht per em Ra

kꜢ-nḫt pri-m-rꜤ

The strong bull who has emerged as Ra

E1:D40-pr:D54-Aa15:ra*Z1

Qaha obelisk in Egyptian Museum in Cairo (face 4)
CG 17025
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 31:12
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 4:H5

Horus name variant H

Hotep her Maat mi Tatenen

ḥtp-ḥr-mꜢꜤt mi-tꜢṯnn

Satisfied with Maat,like Tatenen

Htp:D2*Z1-C10A-C18F-mi

Qaha obelisk in Egyptian Museum in Cairo (face 1 left)
CG 17025
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 31:5
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 4:H7

Horus name variant I

Ka nakht ba en Ra djet Itemu

kꜢ-nḫt bꜢ-n-rꜤ ḏt-itmw

The strong bull, (with) spirit of Ra and body of Atum

E1:n-ra:Z1-D&&&(t*Z1)-t:U15

Qaha obelisk in Egyptian Museum in Cairo (face 1 right)
CG 17025
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 31:4
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 4:H6

Horus name variant J

Ka nakht ha tawy (?)

kꜢ-nḫt hꜤꜤ-tꜢwi

–

E1:D40-H-A137:N17:N17

Usurped R2 colossus, base block (Cairo JdE 35126)
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 59:6

Horus name variant K1

Ka nakht akh en Atum

kꜢ-nḫt Ꜣḫ-n-itm

The strong bull, beneficial to Atum

E1:D40-Ax&x:n-t:U15:Aa15

Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 50:13
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 4:H13

Horus name variant K2

Ka nakht akh en Ra

kꜢ-nḫt Ꜣḫ-n-rꜤ

The strong bull, beneficial to Ra

E1:D40-G25&x:n-ra*C2:nb

Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 50:10

Horus name variant L

Neb hebu khau

nb-ḥꜢbw-ḫꜤw

Possessor of festivals and crowns

nb:O23K*Z3-xa:xa*xa

Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 54:14
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 4:H12

Horus name variant M

Nedj her itef mity Maat

nḏ-ḥr-it.f miti-mꜢꜤt

Protector of his father, the likeness of Maat

Aa27-nw:D40-D2*Z1:t:f-Z1:f-mi:t-H6-C10A

Qaha obelisk in Egyptian Museum in Cairo (face 2)
CG 17025
Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 31:8
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 4:H8

Nebty names

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

Nebty name

Iri bau er ta en Temehu

iri-bꜢw-r-tꜢ-n-ṯmhw

Who exercised power against the land of the Temehu

D4:G30-Z3-r:N16:Z1*N21-N-ti-m-H-w-T14-A1*A1:N17-Z3

Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 20:9
Athribis stela, Cairo JdE 50568
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 4:N1

Nebty name variant A1

Kha mi Ptah em khenu hefnu

ḫꜤi-mi-ptḥ-m-ẖnw-ḥfnw

Who has appeared like Ptah among hundreds of thousands

xa:a:Y1-mi-p:t-H-m-F26:n-I8A:Z2

Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 200d (1)
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 4:N3

Nebty name variant A2

Kha mi Ptah em khenu hefnu er semen hepu neferu em-khet tawy

ḫꜤi-mi-ptḥ-m-ẖnw-ḥfnw-r-smn-hpw-nfrw-m-ḫt-tꜢwi

Who has appeared like Ptah among hundreds of thousands in order to establish the perfect laws throughout the Two Lands

xa:(p:t)*H-mi-Aa15:F26:n:nw*O1-I8:I8:I8-r:s*(mn:n:Y1)-O4A:p-w-V12:3-nfr-Z3-Aa15:M3:x*t:N21*N21

Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , iV, 58:7
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 198e
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 4:N2

Nebty name variant B

Aa pehty wer nakhtu

ꜤꜢ-pḥti wr-nḫtw

Great of might and important of victories

aA:a:F9*F9-wr:r-n:xt:x^^^D40:t*W

Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 1:8
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 4:N4

Golden Horus names

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

Golden Horus name

Neb senedj aa shefyt

nb-snḏ ꜤꜢ-šfit

Lord of fear and great of majesty

nb:snD-aA:N37:f-F8

Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 1:9
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 4:G1

Golden Horus name variant D

Senakht Kemet der pedjut 9 er dit hotep netjeru em mersen

snḫt-kmt dr-pḏt-r-dit-ḥtp-nṯrw-mr.sn

Who has strengthened Egypt and repelled the Nine Bows in order to satisfy the gods with what they love

s-n:M3:x*t:D40-I6:Aa15:t*niwt-d:r:D40-T10:t*Z2:Z2*Z2-r:t:a:Htp-R8*R8*R8-m-U7:r-z:n:Z2

Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 66
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 156-157, 4:G2

Throne names

Announced at the coronation and always written in a cartouche. The “official” name of the pharaoh. Also known as the Prenomen.

Throne name

Ba en Ra, mery netjeru

bꜢ-n-rꜤ mri-nṯrw

The soul of Ra, beloved of the Gods

ra-E1:n-N36:R8A

Mariette, Abydos II, pl. 50
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 158-159, 4:T8

Throne name variant A

Ba en Ra, mery netjeru

bꜢ-n-rꜤ mri-nṯrw

The soul of Ra, beloved of the Gods

C2-E11:n-R8A:N36

Petrie, Tanis, I, plate 2 (8 B)
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 158-159, 4:T7

Throne name variant B1

Ba en Ra, mery Amun

bꜢ-n-rꜤ mri-imn

The soul of Ra, beloved of Amun

C2A\-C12A-N36-E11*Z1:n

Black granite statue, CG 42148

Throne name variant B2

Ba en Ra, mery Amun

bꜢ-n-rꜤ mri-imn

The soul of Ra, beloved of Amun

U6\-C12\-C2-E1:n

Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 200d (1)
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 158-159, 4:T1

Throne name variant B3

Ba en Ra, mery Amun

bꜢ-n-rꜤ mri-imn

The soul of Ra, beloved of Amun

E1:n-C53A-C12M-N36

Black granite statue, CG 42148
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 158-159, 4:T3

Throne name variant B4

Ba en Ra, mery Amun

bꜢ-n-rꜤ mri-imn

The soul of Ra, beloved of Amun

ra-E1:n-C12-mr

Black granite statue, CG 42148
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 158-159, 4:T4

Throne name variant B5

Ba en Ra, mery Amun

bꜢ-n-rꜤ mri-imn

The soul of Ra, beloved of Amun

ra-G29&1*G7:n-mr-i-mn:n

Papyrus Anastasi III 7.2 - British Museum EA10246.5
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 158-159, 4:T5

Birth names

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

Birth name

Mer en Ptah, hotep her Maat

mri-n-ptḥ ḥtp-ḥr-mꜢꜤt

Beloved of Ptah, Maat is satisfied

C102\-C10A-N36:n-Htp:D2*Z1

Kitchen, Ramesside Inscriptions , IV, 31
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 158-159, 4:E1

Birth name variant A1

Mer en Ptah, hotep her Maat

mri.n-ptḥ ḥtp-ḥr-mꜢꜤt

Beloved of Ptah, Maat is satisfied

U6\-C102\-C10A-n:Htp:D2*Z1

Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, III, 200d (1)
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 158-159, 4:E2

Birth name variant A2

Mer en Ptah, hotep her Maat

mri.n-ptḥ ḥtp-ḥr-mꜢꜤt

Beloved of Ptah, Maat is satisfied

C19-N36:n-C178-Htp:D2*Z1

Walking statue of Merenptah, Cairo CG 42148
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 158-159, 4:E3

Birth name variant A3

Mer en Ptah, hotep her Maat

mri.n-ptḥ ḥtp-ḥr-mꜢꜤt

Beloved of Ptah, Maat is satisfied

U6\-p:t-H-C10A-n:Htp:D2*Z1

Walking statue of Merenptah, Cairo CG 42148

The sources of antiquity

From the writings of the historians and scholars of antiquity

Author	Greek	Transcription	Reign
Africanus _{xix, 3}	Aμενεφθης	Amenephthes	20 years
Eusebius _{xix, 3}	Aμμενεφθίς	Ammenephthis	40 years
Jerome ₄₁		Ammenophis	40 years

Bibliography

Gauthier, H. Le livre des rois d'Égypte. MIFAO 19 (1913): 113–126
Beckerath, J., 1999. “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, Second edition, MÄS 49: 156–159
Leprohon, R. J., 2013. The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary. Atlanta: 120–122
Baker. D. D., 2008. The Encyclopedia of the Pharaohs: Volume I. London: 205–208

PLEASE NOTE
There might be errors on this page.
Make sure you use the correct source!
Yes, you would be surprised...