According to Manetho, Sneferu ruled for 29 years, although the Turin King-list only lists 24. A biennial cattle-count would indicate a 48 year reign, but it is likely that the counts sometimes happened yearly, but he probably ruled 30 to 40 years, which would explain how he managed to build three pyramids. It is known that he ruled for at least three years after the 24th cattle-count.
The Royal Titulary
From the hieroglyphic records
Horus Neb Maat The Dual King Sneferu
Horus names
The oldest form of the name of a pharaoh, a falcon representing Horus is perched on the palace facade.
relief from Wadi Maghara, Sinai
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 2a
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 52-53, 1:H1
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 52-53, 1:E1
Nebty name
The “Two Ladies”, the goddesses Nekhbet and Wadjet, representing Upper and Lower Egypt respectively.
relief from Wadi Maghara, Sinai
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 2a
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 52-53, 1:N
Golden Horus name
Horus perched on Gold, which was associated with eternity, but its meaning is disputed.
relief from Wadi Maghara, Sinai
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 2a
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 52-53, 1:G
Throne names
Announced at the coronation and always written in a cartouche. The “official” name of the pharaoh. Also known as the Prenomen.
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 17a
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 52-53, 1:E4
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 52-53, 1:E3
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 52-53, 1:E5
Gardiner, The Royal Canon of Turin (1959) III:9
Cairo Museum JE 38568
relief from Wadi Maghara, Sinai
Lepsius, Denkmäler aus Ägypten und Äthiopien, II, 2a
Beckerath, “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, 2nd ed. MÄS 49 (1999). 52-53, 1:E2
The sources of antiquity
From the writings of the historians and scholars of antiquity
| Author | Greek | Transcription | Reign |
|---|---|---|---|
| Africanus iv, 1 | Σωρις | Soris | 29 years |
Bibliography
- Gauthier, H. Le livre des rois d'Égypte. MIFAO 17 (1907): 61–71
- Beckerath, J., 1999. “Handbuch der ägyptischen Königsnamen”, Second edition, MÄS 49: 52–53
- Leprohon, R. J., 2013. The Great Name: Ancient Egyptian Royal Titulary. Atlanta: 35
- Baker. D. D., 2008. The Encyclopedia of the Pharaohs: Volume I. London: 386–389
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