. . . . | ||
Horus "Scorpion" | ||
Horus Zekhen?/Ka? | first king buried at Abydos | |
Horus Ro | Abydos tomb B 1+2 | |
Horus Narmer | "Catfish" |
Horus Aha | Meni | 3050-3016 |
Horus Djer | Iti | 3016-2970 |
Horus Wadji | Iterti? | 2970-2963 |
Horus Dewen | Khasti/Zemti? | 2963-2949 |
Horus Andjib | Merpibia? | 2949-2897 |
Horus Semerkhet | Iri-Nebti | 2897-2889 |
Horus Qa'a | Qa'a-Nebti | 2889-2859 |
Horus Ba? | (sequence uncertain) | |
Horus Seneferka | (sequence uncertain) | 2859-2857 |
Horus [. . .] | (sequence uncertain) |
Horus Hetepsekhemwy | Hetep-Nebty | 2857 | - | |
Horus Nebre | - | 2815 | ||
Horus Ninetjer | Ninetjer-Nebty | 2815 | - | 2778 |
Horus Weneg? | Weneg-Nebty | 2778 | - | 2772 |
Sened | 2772 | - | ||
Nubnefer | - | 2751 | ||
Seth Peribsen | 2751 | - | 2743 | |
Horus Sekhemib(-perenma'at) | 2743 | - | 2732 | |
Horus Khasekhem | (= same person as the next king) | |||
Horus-Seth Khasekhemwy(-hetep- | netjerwyimef) | 2732 | - | 2705 |
Horus Nekhtza (Za) | Nebka I | 2705-2687 |
Horus Netjerikhet | (Djoser) | 2687-2667 |
Horus Sekhemkhet | (Djeser-Teti) | 2667-2660 |
Horus Khaba | 2660-2654 | |
Horus Qahedjet | Huni | 2654-2630 |
Snefru | 2630-2606 | |
(Khnum-)Khufwi | (Khufu/"Cheops") | 2606-2583 |
Radjedef | (Djedefre) | 2583-2575 |
Khafre | ("Chephren") | 2575-2550 |
Nebka II | 2550-2548 | |
Menkaure | ("Mycerinus") | 2548-2530 |
Shepseskaf | 2530-2526 | |
[Interregnum?] | 2526-2524 |
Userkaf | 2524-2517 | |
Sahure | 2517-2505 | |
Neferirkare I Kakai | 2505-2495 | |
Shepseskare Izi? | 2495-2488 | |
Neferefre | (Raneferef?) | 2488-2477 |
Niuserre Ini | 2477-2466 | |
Menkauhor Ikauhor | 2466-2458 | |
Djedkare Izezi | 2458-2430 | |
Unis | 2430-2400 |
Teti | 2400 | - | 2390 | |
Pepi I | 2390 | - | ||
Userkare | (userper?) | - | 2382 | |
Pepi I | (again!) | 2382 | - | 2361 |
Mernere I Nemtyemzaf | 2361 | - | 2355 | |
Pepi II | 2355 | - | 2261 | |
Mernere II Nemtyemzaf | 2261 | - | 2260 | |
Queen Nitocris | 2260 | - | 2250? |
. . . . | ||
Qakare Ibi | 2222-2220 | |
Neferkaure | (= Imhotep?) | 2220-2216 |
Neferkauhor Kapuibi | (= Iti?) | 2216-2214 |
Neferirkare II | 2214-2213 |
The attribution of the nomens Imhotep and Iti (from graffiti in the Wadi Hammamat) is very uncertain. Neferkaure is generally identified with Horus Kha[bau?] and Neferirkare II with Horus Demedjibtawy of the Coptus Decrees, but this is uncertain. Horus Netjeribau definitely is Neferkauhor.
Meryibre Akhtoy | (= the first or second king?) | 2213 | - | |
. . . . | ||||
Neferkare V | (= the third king) | ca. 2185 | - | |
. . . . | - | 2175 |
Fourteen Heracleopolitans who ruled the north and fought the Thebans of contemporary Dynasty XI until defeated by Nebhepetre Mentuhotep II between 2047 and 2022. Six kings are attested in contemporary sources:
. . . . | ca. 2175 | |||
Nebkaure Akhtoy | (father of Merikare?) | |||
Merikare | (contemporary with latter | ca. 2075 | ||
part of reign of Wahankh Inyotef I) |
Meri[. . .]re Akhtoy | (different from "Merihathor" and founder of Dynasty X) | |
Wahkare Akhtoy | ||
Khui | (on a fragment from Dara) | |
Iytjenu | (part of a Dyn. X personal name from Saqqara) |
In many traditional chronologies, Theban Dynasty XI is included in the Middle Kingdom, not the First Intermediate Period. However, in recent times this notion has been revised among certain Egyptologists. The dynasty existed about 143 years, of which 99 years were spent in a state of civil war with the kingdom divided and only 44 years with the kindom united in relative peace. Importantly, those final 44 years were a period of political consolidation and nation-building, which only came to fruition at the beginning of Dynasty XII. It is unjustifiable then to consider Dynasty XI as the start of the Middle Kingdom.
Horus Tepi-'o | Mentuhotep I | 2134 | - | ||
Horus Sehertawy | Inyotef I | - | 2118 | ||
Horus Wahankh | Inyotef II | 2118 | - | 2069 | |
Horus Nekhtnebtepnefer | Inyotef III | 2069 | - | 2061 | |
Horus Sankhibtawy | |||||
Horus Daikhasut | }Mentuhotep II | ||||
Horus Nebhedjet | } Nebhepetre | 2061 | - | 2010 | |
Horus Sematawy | |||||
Sankhkare | Mentuhotep III | 2010 | - | 1998 | |
Qakare Inyotef IV | (sequence uncertain) | ||||
Iyibre-Khent | (sequence uncertain) | ||||
Nebtawyre | Mentuhotep IV | - | 1991 |
Amenemhat I | 1991-1962 | |
Senwosret I | 1971-1928 | |
Amenemhat II | 1929-1895 | |
Senwosret II | 1897-1878 | |
Senwosret III | 1878-1842 | |
Amenemhat III | 1842-1794 | |
Amenemhat IV | 1797-1788 | |
Queen Sebeknefru | 1788-1784 |
Khutawyre Wegaf | 1784 | - | 1782 | |
Sekhemkare Amenemhat-sunebef | 1782 | - | ||
Sekhemre-khutawy | (Pentjini?) | - | 1772 | |
Sekhemkare Amenemhat V | 1772 | - | 1770 | |
Sehetepibre | 1770 | - | 1769 | |
Sankhibre Ameni-Inyotef Amenemhat VI | 1769 | - | ||
Hetepibre Qemau-si-Harnedj-heryotef | ||||
[. . .] Ameni-Qemau | ||||
[. . .] Khuyoqer | ||||
Kha'ankhre Sebekhotep I | - | 1764 | ||
Awybre Hor I | 1764 | - | ||
Sedjefakare Kay Amenemhat VII | ||||
Sekhemre-khutawy Sebekhotep II | ||||
Userkare | ||||
Nimaatre-khaenre Khendjer | (Asiatic King "Pig") | |||
Smenekhkare Mermesha | ||||
Nerkare [. . .] | - | 1754 | ||
Sekhemre-sewadjtawy Sebekhotep III | 1754 | - | 1751 | |
Khasekhemre Neferhotep I | 1751 | - | 1740 | |
Khakare? Sihathor | 1740 | |||
Khaneferre Sebekhotep IV | 1740 | - | 1730 | |
Wahibre Ibya | 1725 | - | 1714 | |
Merneferre Iy | ("Ay") | 1714 | - | 1700 |
Merhetepre Sebekhotep VI | 1700 | - | 1698 | |
Mersekhemre Neferhotep II | 1698 | - | ||
Merkaure Sebekhotep VII | 1693 | - |
The following kings probably date to the last 25 years of Dynasty XIII. Their sequence is uncertain:
Seneferibre Senwosret IV | ||
Merankhrek Mentuhotep V | ||
Djedankhre Mentuemsaf | ||
Djedhetepre | ||
Djedneferre (Dedumose?) | ||
Sewahenre Senebmiu | ||
Sekhemre-sankhtawy Neferhotep III | ||
Sekhemre-seusertawy Sebekhotep VIII | ||
Mershepesre Ini | ||
[. . .] Mentuwoser | ||
Menkhaure Sena'aib | ||
Sekhemre-neferkhau Wepwawetemsaf |
Perhaps as many as 76 kings who ruled in Xois in the Delta. Only one is attested in contemporary sources. He reigned less than one year and left his name on two monuments at Avaris in the Delta:
Nehesi | ca. 1720 |
The other kings names are recorded in subsequent Egyptian lists. Reliable dates cannot be established for them. Was Dynasty XIV a catch-all for a number of small Delta principalities?
Khatire | Sekhem[...]re | Shemsi |
Nebfawre | Kakemure | Meni[...] |
Sehabre | Neferibre | Werqa |
Merdjefare | Kha[...]re | [...]kare |
Sewadjkare | Aakare | [...]kare |
Nebdjefare | Semen[...]re | [...]kare Hap[...] |
Webenre | Djed[...]re | [...]kare [...]nat |
[...]djefare | Senefer[...]re | [...]kare Bebenmi |
[...]webenre | Menibre | Seth |
Awibre | Djed[...]re | Sainu |
Heribre | Inek[...] | Hor |
Nebsenre | Aa[...] | Enibef |
Sekheperenre | Ap[...] | Kherhemwat |
Djedkherure | Hibi | Khuhemwat |
Sankhibre | Aped | Mare Sebekhotep IX |
Nefertemkare | Hapi |
The Hyksos--invaders of apparent North Syrian origin and arriving from Palestine--established their capital at Avaris and maintained direct rule over much of northern Egypt and loose suzerainty over Asiatic and Egyptian vassals (including the Thebans of most of Dynasty XVII) in the rest of the country. Earlier rulers identified in later lists and undatable scarabs include:
Sekhaenre Shalik | = Salitis | |
Maibre Sheshy | = Beon | |
Meruserenre Yacobher | = Apakhnas |
The following Hyksos rulers are attested on contemporary monuments:
Seweserenre Khayan | Iannas | 1630-1610 |
Aaqenenre (early) | } Apopi | 1610-1569 |
Aauserre (later) | ||
Nebkhepeshre | (same as previous king?) | |
Aasehre? | Khamudi | 1569-1560 |
Hyksos vassals in Lower and Middle Egypt concurrent with Dynasties XV and XVII. All contemporary attestations are on scarabs; none can be dated precisely. Some bear Egyptian names; many have clearly Semitic names:
Saket | Aahetepre | Seneferankhre Apopi |
Wadjed | Yakboam | Anathher |
Qar | Yoam | Semqen |
Niraka | 'Am | Useranath |
Nubuserre | Yakbaal | Nebmaatre |
Khauserre | Nubankhre |
Current usage restricts this dynasty to the Theban contemporaries of the Hyksos (Manetho included other Hyksos vassals). They ruled as far as Abydos and had extended their domain to Cusae under Ta 'o II, then to the head of the Delta under Kamose. Almost all are attested in contemporary sources:
Nubkheperre Inyotef V | 1668 | - | 1663 | |
Sekhemre-wahkhau Rahotep | 1663 | - | 1660 | |
Sekhemre-wadjkhau Sebekemsaf I | 1660 | - | 1644 | |
Sekhemre-sementawy Djehuti | 1644 | - | 1643 | |
Sankhenre Mentuhotep VI | 1643 | - | 1642 | |
Sewadjenre Nebiryerau I | 1642 | - | 1623 | |
Neferkare Nebiryerau II | 1623 | |||
Seweserenre Senwosret V | 1622 | - | 1610 | |
Sekhemre-shedtawy Sebekemsaf II | 1610 | - | 1601 | |
Sekhemre-wepma'at Inyotef VI | 1601 | - | 1596 | |
Sekhemre-herherma'at Inyotef VII | 1596 | |||
Senakhtenre Ahmose | 1596 | - | 1591 | |
Seqenenre Ta'o (Djehuti'o) | 1591 | - | 1576 | |
Wadjkheperre Kamose | 1576 | - | 1570 |
Nebpehtyre Ahmose I | 1570-1546 |
Djeserkare Amenhotep I | 1551-1524 |
AakheperkareTuthmosis I | 1524-1518 |
Aakheperenre Tuthmosis II | 1518-1504 |
Menkheperre Tuthmosis III | 1504-1450 |
Maatkare Hatshepsut (Queen) | 1503/1498-1483 |
Aakheperure Amenhotep II | 1453-1419 |
Menkheperure Tuthmosis IV | 1419-1386 |
Nebmaatre Amenhotep III | 1386-1349 |
Neferkheperure Amenhotep IV/Akhenaten | 1350-1334 |
Ankhkheperure Smenkhkare | 1336-1334 |
Nebkheperure Tutankhaten/Tutankhamun | 1334-1325 |
Kheperkheperure Ay | 1325-1321 |
Djeserkheperure Horemheb | 1321-1293 |
Ramesses I | 1293-1291 | |
Seti I | 1291-1279 | |
Ramesses II | 1279-1212 | |
Merneptah | 1212-1202 | |
Amenmesse | 1202-1199 | |
Seti II | 1199-1193 | |
Ramesses/Merneptah-Siptah | 1193-1187 | |
Tawosret (Queen) | 1193-1185 |
Setnakht | 1185-1182 | |
Ramesses III | 1182-1151 | |
Ramesses IV | 1151-1145 | |
Ramesses V | (Amenherkhepeshef) | 1145-1141 |
Ramesses VI | (Amenherkhepeshef) | 1141-1134 |
Ramesses VII | (Setherkhepshef) | 1134 1133 |
Ramesses VIII | (Amenyotef) | 1133-1126 |
Ramesses IX | (Khaemwese) | 1126-1108 |
Ramesses X | (Amenherkhepeshef) | 1108-1098 |
Ramesses XI | (Khaemwese) | 1098-1070 |
Era of "Repeating of Births" | 1080-1070 |
(a) Kings in Tanis:
Smendes | (Nisubanebdjed) | 1070-1044 |
Neferkare Amenemnisu | 1044-1040 | |
Psusennes I | 1040-992 | |
Amenemope | 994-985 | |
Aakheperre Osochor | 985-979 | |
Siamon | 979-960 | |
Psusennes II | (see also below) | 960-946 |
(b) Rulers in Thebes (HP = High Priest of Amun; K = King):
Pinodjem I | HP | 1070-1055 | |
K | 1055-1032 | ||
Masahart | HP | 1055-1047 | |
Djedkhonsefankh | HP | 1047-1046 | |
Menkheperre | HP | 1046-993 | |
Smendes I | HP | 993-991 | |
Pinodjem II | HP | 991-970 | |
Psusennes | (later he is a king | HP | 970-946 |
in Tanis = Psusennes II) | K | 960-946 |
Libyan kings ruling in Tanis and Bubastis, recognized in all of Egypt until 828, when a rival Libyan dynasty arose in Thebes. In 814 another rival dynasty arose in Leontopolis in the Delta. Dynasty XXII was still recognized in Memphis and parts of the Delta until 735 and intermittently in Thebes until 787/783.
Shoshenq I | 946 | - | 916 | |
Osorkon I | 916 | - | 904 | |
Shoshenq II | 904 | |||
Takelot I | 904 | - | 890 | |
Osorkon II | 890 | - | 860 | |
Takelot II | 860 | - | 835 | |
Shoshenq III | 835 | - | 783 | |
Pami | 783 | - | 773 | |
Aakheperre Shoshenq V | 773 | - | 735 | |
Aakheperre Osorkon IV | 735 | - | 712 |
High Priests of Amun at Thebes
In a unique power-sharing arrangement between the royal government and the temple hierarchy, the High Priests of Amun were often appointed from among the royal princes of Dynasties XXI and XXII (until the Thebans established their own Dynasty XXIII in 828). The high priests were the virtual rulers of Thebes, usually autonomous of the royal government in the Delta. While many high priests took on the outward trappings of kingship, most apparently recognized the Egyptian king as a nominal overlord; (n.b., "s." = "son of"):
Yuput (s. Shoshenq I) | HP | 946 | - | 910 | |
Shoshenq (s. Osorkon I) | HP | 910 | - | 905 | |
Ewelot (s. Osorkon I) | HP | 905 | - | 898 | |
Smendes II (s. Osorkon I) | HP | 898 | - | 885 | |
Harsiese I (s. HP Shoshenq) | HP | 885 | - | 875 | |
K | 875 | - | 870 | ||
[. . .di. . .] (s. HP/K Harsie) | HP | 875 | - | 870 | |
Nimlot (s. Osorkon II) | HP | 870 | - | 862 | |
Takelot (s. HP Nimlot) - | HP | 862 | - | 850 | |
Osorkon (s. Takelot II) | HP | 850 | - | 835 | |
Harsiese II (s. [. . .di. . .]?) | HP | 835 | - | 816 | |
Osorkon | (again; intermittently at | ||||
Thebes; permanently at El Hiba) | HP | 816 | - | 797/87 |
In its earlier years, this dynasty held Thebes only intermittently and presumably had a safer headquarters to the south; after 787, Dynasty XXII is no longer attested at Thebes. See HP, below, for details. By the time of Osorkon III, this dynasty ruled as far north as Heracleopolis.
Pedubast I | 828-803 | |
Userma'atre-Miamon Shoshenq IV | 803-797 | |
Osorkon III | 797-767 | |
Takelot III | (formerly HP) | 771-767 |
Amenrud | 767-? |
The High Priests of Amun of this dynasty were:
Harsiese II | (again) | HP | 811-808 |
Takelot II | (same as next priest?) | HP | 807-797 |
Takelot III (s. Osorkon III) | (perhaps intermittently | HP | 797/787-774 |
until death of HP Osorkon) |
Yuput I | 814-790? | |
. . . . | (several rulers?) | 790?-735 |
Yuput II | ca. 735 |
Thotemhat | 760-735 | |
Nimlot | (more than one by this name?) | 735-665 |
Pedenemty | (attribution is uncertain) |
Peftjau-auwybast | 740-725 | |
"Nakhke" | (recorded in Akkadian texts only) | ca. 670 |
Dynasty XXIII (Tanis): 710?-665?
This is Manetho's Dynasty XXIII, which rules at Tanis between the end of Dynasty XXII and the rise of Dynasty XXVI under Psammetichus I. The following kings attested archaeologically at Tanis seem to belong to this group (sequence unknown):
Sekhemkare [. . .] | ||
Shepseskare-Irnere Gemnefkhonsubak | ||
Neferkare-Pepi [. . .] | ||
Sehetepib(en)re Pedubast II | ca. 665 |
Nubian kings from Kush contemporary with (and more or less effective overlords of) the petty kings of Dynasties XXII-XXIV. Manetho includes only those who were recognized in Memphis; we add those who were recognized in Thebes. Kashta's rule in Nubia might have begun earlier, and that of Tanwetamani ended later than the dates indicated here.
Kashta | 767 | - | 753 | |
Piye | (formerly called "Piankhy") | 753 | - | 713 |
Shabako | 713 | - | 698? | |
Shebitku | 698? | - | 698 | |
Taharqa | 690 | - | 664 | |
1st Assyrian invasion | 671 | |||
Tanwetamani | 664 | - | 656 | |
2nd Assyrian invasion | 663 |
A Libyan dynasty of "Great Chiefs of the West" (abbr. GCW), some of whom assumed the title of "King" (abbr. K); contemporary with Kushite Dynasty XXV. After considerable vicissitudes (including falling to the Kushites), members of this family finally managed (with Assyrian help) to displace the Nubians as rulers of Egypt and develop into Dynasty XXVI:
Osorkon | GCW | ca. 760 | - | 740 |
Tefnakhte I | GCW | 740 | - | 718 |
Bocchoris | K | 718 | - | 712 |
Tefnakhte II | GCW (later king--see below) | 712 | - | 685 |
Tefnakhte II | 685 | - | 678 | |
Nikauba? | 678 | - | 672 | |
Necho I | killed by Tanwetamani | 672 | - | 664 |
Psammetichus I | 664 | - | 610 | |
Assyrians abandon Egypt | 653 | |||
Necho II | 610 | - | 595 | |
Psammetichus II | 595 | - | 589 | |
Wahibre | ("Apries") | 589 | - | 570 |
Ahmose II | ("Amasis") | 570 | - | 526 |
Psammetichus III | 526 | - | 525 |
Cambyses II | 525-522 | |
Darius I | 522-486 | |
Egyptian revolt: | ||
Seheribre Pedubast III | 522-520 | |
Xerxes I | 486-465 | |
Artaxerxes I | 465-424 | |
Darius II | 424-405 | |
Artaxerxes II | 405-359 |
In Marea (West of Alexandria):
Psammetichus IV | ||
Inaros | (rebel aqainst Artaxerxes I) | ca 465?-454 |
Thanyras (s. Inaros) | after 448 | |
Psammetichus V | (perhaps from this region) | ca. 445 |
Psammetichus VI | ca. 400? |
In Sais:
Amyrtaios I | (joined Inaros) | ca.465-448 |
Pausiris (s. Amyrtaios I) | after 448 |
In this period the Persians were first expelled from Egypt .
Amyrtaios II (s. Pausiris) | 405-399 |
Nepherites I | 399-393 | |
Psammuthis | 393 | |
Achoris | 393-380 | |
Nepherites II | 380 |
Nectanebo I | 381-362 | |
Teos (s. Nectanebo I) | 3-year coregency with father | 365-361 |
Nectanebo II | 361-343 |
Egypt was invaded again and reconquered by the Persians, although at times, they could not fully dominate the entire country.
Artaxerxes III Ochus | 343-338 | |
Arses | 338-336 | |
Darius III Codomanus | 336-332 |
An Egyptian king (of possibly Nubian origin) briefly controlled most of Egypt during the Persian Dynasty XXXI. He was the last native ruler of ancient Egypt:
Khababash | 338-333 |
Three kings consisting of Alexander the Great, his half-brother, and his son--they never resided in Egypt but governed from Babylon, the capital of Alexander's Macedonian Empire. Alexander was said to have been buried in Alexandria, Egypt. In this period, Egypt was directly administered by the satrap, Ptolemy Lagos, the friend of Alexander who later proclaimed himself king of Egypt.
Alexander (III) the Great | 332-323 | |
Philip Arrhidaeus | 323-316 | |
Alexander IV | 316-304 |
Dynasty founded by Ptolemy Lagos with its capital at Alexandria. It consisted of 19 kings and queens-regnant, all of pure Macedonian origin; characterized by frequent intermarriage between the king and his sister, often with the queen or queen-mother as coregent ruling with the king. Overweaning ambition and greed in the royal family was the cause of frequent palace coups and assasinations, with kings and despots frequently losing and regaining the throne (all of which tends to confuse the chronology).
Ptolemy I Soter I | 304 | - | 284 | |
Ptolemy II Philadelphus | 285 | - | 246 | |
Ptolemy III Euergetes I | 246 | - | 221 | |
Ptolemy IV Philopator | 221 | - | 205 | |
Ptolemy V Epiphanes | 205 | - | 180 | |
revolt in Upper Egypt: | ||||
Harwennefer | 205 | - | 199 | |
Ankhwennefer | 199 | - | 186 | |
Ptolemy VI Philometor | 180 | - | 164 | |
Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II | (jointly, then as userper) | 170 | - | 163 |
Ptolemy VI Philometor | (again!) | 163 | - | 145 |
Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II1 | (again!) | 145 | - | 116 |
Ptolemy VII Neos Philopator | (brief userper) | 145 | ||
revolt in Thebes: | ||||
Harsiese | 131 | |||
Q. Cleopatra III & Ptolemy IX Soter II | 116 | - | 107 | |
Q. Cleopatra III & Ptolemy X Alexander I | 107 | - | 88 | |
Ptolemy IX Soter II | 88 | - | 81 | |
Ptolemy XI Alexander II & Q. Cleopatra | Berenike | 81 | - | 80 |
Ptolemy XI Alexander II | 80 | |||
Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysus | 80 | - | 58 | |
Q. Berenike IV | 58 | - | 55 | |
Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysus | (again!) | 55 | - | 51 |
Ptolemy XIII & Q. Cleopatra VII | 51 | - | 47 | |
Julius Caesar arrives in Egypt | 48 | |||
Q. Cleopatra VII | 51 | - | 30 | |
Ptolemy XIV & Q. Cleopatra VII | 47 | - | 44 | |
Ptolemy XV Caesarion & Cleopatra VII | 44 | - | 30 |
Egypt was a consular province of the Roman Empire administered in the name of the Roman emperor by a succession of imperial prefects. They were appointed by the emperor and reported directly to him by-passing the Roman Senate. In Egyptian art, religion and iconography, the Roman emperor assumed the traditional role of pharaoh.