Sekhemkhet in hieroglyphs

The third pharaoh of the Third Dynasty, a.k.a. Djosertety, Djoserteti, Djoserty

The birth name of Horus Sekhemkhet is just like his father Djoser uncertain. The Saqqara king list use the name Djosertety, while the Abydos list simply use Teti. The Turin papyrus give a third variant, Djoserty. The sources for the use of these names is unknown, and was likely caused by a misinterpretation in later times, as it has not been found by contemporary sources. According to Africanus, Manetho named him Tyris, which could derived from Teti on the Abydos king list.

Precedessor
Djoser

Successor
Hudjefa II
Reign of Sekhemkhet
AE Chronology2565–2559
v. Beckerath2645–2638
Dodson2556–2550
Allen2611–2605
Malek2609–2603
Turin King List6 (years)
Manetho (Africanus)7 years

The Royal Titulary

From the hieroglyphic records

The Dual King

Horus Sekhem khet  The Dual King Teti*

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
Sekhem khet
sḫm-ẖt
The one whose body is powerful
s*sxm:X
Gonheim, Horus Sekhem-Khet: The unfinished Step Payramid at Saqqara, I, plate 145
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 48-49, 3:H

Nebty name

Two ladies hieroglyphs

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

Nebty name
Hetep ren
ḥtp-rn
The Two Ladies are pleased with his name
Htp:r:n
Clay seals from Elephantine
Pätznick, Die Siegelabrollungen und Rollsiegel der Stadt Elephantine..., pp. 76–79

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
Teti*
t-t-i
of true greatness
t:t-i
Abydos Canon no. 17

Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 48-49, 3:E1
Throne name variant
Djoser teti*
ḏsr-t-t-i
The blessed one, of true greatness
Dsr-i-t:t
Saqqara Canon no. 46

Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 48-49, 3:E2
Throne name variant
Djoser ty*
ḏsr-ti
The blessed one, of true greatness
Dsr:r-t:y-G7
Turin King List 4.6
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 48-49, 3:E3
Gardiner, The Royal Canon of Turin (1959) III:6

The sources of antiquity

From the writings of the historians and scholars of antiquity

AuthorGreekTranscriptionReign
Africanus iii, 3 Tυρεις Tyris 7 years

Bibliography

  • Gauthier, H. Le livre des rois d'Égypte. MIFAO 17 (1907): 55
  • Beckerath, J., 1999. “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, Second edition, MÄS 49: 48–49
  • Leprohon, R. J., 2013. The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary. Atlanta: 32
  • Baker. D. D., 2008. The Encyclopedia of the Pharaohs: Volume I. London: 367–368
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