Semerkhet
| Dynasty I |
Semerkhet was the first pharaoh using the Nebty title in its ultimate form. The name in the New Kingdom king lists is Semsu or Semsem, which means the eldest, which might tie in with the 72 years mentioned in the Turin papyrus, but he likely only ruled for a decade or so. According to Africanus and Eusebius he was named Semempses by Manetho.
| Reign of Semerkhet | |
|---|---|
| AE Chronology | 2763–2756 |
| von Beckerath | 2861–2853 |
| Malek | 2826–2818 |
| Turin Canon | 63 (years?) |
| Manetho | 18 years |
The Royal Titulary
From the hieroglyphic records
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 40-41, 7:H
Petrie, Royal Tombs, I, plate XII (1)
The archaic sign (A469) is similar to A17 and was likely confused by the NK scribes.
Mariette, Abydos, I, plate 43 (7)
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 40-41, 7:2
Gardiner, The Royal Canon of Turin (1959), II:18
Beckerath, Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen (1999), 40-41, 7:3
The sources of antiquity
From the writings of the historians and scholars of antiquity
| Author | Greek | Transliteration | Transcription | Reign |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Africanus i, 7 | Σεμεμψης | Semempses | Semempsis | 18 years |
| Eusebius i, 7 | Σεμεμψης | Semempses | Semempses | 18 years |
| Eratosthenes 5 | Πεμφως | Pemphos | Pemphus | 18 years |
Bibliography
Beckerath, J. Handbuch der Ägyptischen Königsnamen, MÄS 49 (1999): 40–41
Baker. D. D. The Encyclopedia of the Pharaohs: Volume I – Predynastic to the Twentieth Dynasty 3300–1069 BC (London, 2008), 376–378
Gauthier, H. Le livre des rois d'Égypte. MIFAO 17 (1907): 11–14
Leprohon, R. J. The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary (Atlanta, 2013), 26–27
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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