Ptolemy I in hieroglyphs

The first pharaoh of the Ptolemaic Dynasty, a.k.a. Ptolemaios Soter

Precedessor
Alexander IV

Successor
Ptolemy II

Reign of Ptolemy I
v. Beckerath304–282
Shaw305–285
Dodson310–282
Redford305–282

The Royal Titulary

From the hieroglyphic records

The Dual King
The Son of Ra

Horus Wer pehti nesu qeny  The Dual King Setep en Ra mery Amun  Son of Ra Ptolemys

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
Wer pehti nesu qeny
wr-pḥti nsw-ḳni
Great of strength and brave king
wr:r-F9:F9-sw-A43E-q*nw:n:a
Naville, Griffith, The City of Onias and the mound of the Jew, 62
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 234-235, 1:H

Nebty name

Two ladies hieroglyphs

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

Nebty name
Ity em sekhem heqa tjel
iṯi-m-sḫm ḥḳꜢ-ṯl
Who has seized with (his own) power, the ruler of Sile
V15:D40-U31\R90-sxm-U31\R90-q-HqA-d:l:D40
Naville, Griffith, The City of Onias and the mound of the Jew, 62
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 234-235, 1:N

Throne names

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
Setep en Ra mery Amun
stp.n-rꜤ mri-imn
Chosen by Ra and beloved of Amun
C2A-C12A-stp:n-N36
CG 22180
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 234-235, 1:T1
Throne name variant
Setep en Ra mery Amun
stp.n-rꜤ mri-imn
Chosen by Ra and beloved of Amun
C12A\-N36:n:stp-C2A
Daressy, À travers les koms du Delta, ASAE 12 (1912): 184
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 234-235, 1:T2
Throne name variant
Setep en Ra mery Amun
stp.n-rꜤ mri-imn
Chosen by Ra and beloved of Amun
C2A\-C12A-s-t:p-stp:N36
Gauthier, Livre des Rois d'Égypte , IV, 217 (IX)
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 234-235, 1:T3

Birth names

Nomen or birth name

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

Birth name
Ptolemys
ptlmys
Ptolemaios
p:t-wA-l:M-i-i-s
Passim
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 234-235, 1:E1
Birth name variant
Ptolemys
ptlmys
Ptolemaios
p:d-A-l:M-i-i-s
Gauthier, Livre des Rois d'Égypte , IV, 217 (IX)
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 234-235, 1:E3
Birth name variant
Ptolemys
ptlmys
Ptolemaios
p:d-w-l:M-i-i-s
Stela fragment (Berlin ÄM 14400)
Urkunden des Ägyptische Alterthums , II, 22-23
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 234-235, 1:E2
Birth name variant
Ptolemes
ptlmis
Ptolemaios
p:t-wA-l:M:z
Daressy, À travers les koms du Delta, ASAE 12 (1912): 184

Bibliography

  • Gauthier, H. Le livre des rois d'Égypte. MIFAO 20 (1915): 217–221
  • Beckerath, J., 1999. “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, Second edition, MÄS 49: 234–235
  • Leprohon, R. J., 2013. The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary. Atlanta: 178
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