This article contains a list of the Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, from the Early Dynastic Period before 3000 BC through to the end of the Ptolemaic Dynasty, when Egypt became a province of Rome under Augustus Caesar in 30 BC.
It should be noted that there are two women rulers of Egypt on this list of Pharaohs who chose not to take the title Pharaoh who were not Ptolemaic queen consorts (Sobeknefru and Twosret), due to the fact that Pharaoh was a male title. On this list, they are noted as "Queen ________."
Note that the dates given must be regarded in most instances as approximate. Dating systems for Egyptian studies are quite various, depending on how they are constructed and what assumptions are used. Presented below is one such interpretation, but it is assuredly not the only one.
Archaic period
The Archaic period includes the Early Dynastic Period , when Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt were ruled as separate kingdoms, and the First and Second Dynasties
Early dynastic: Lower Egypt
Lower Egypt, known as the Black Land, consisted of the northern Nile and the Nile Delta.
Name |
Comments |
Dates |
Tiu
|
- |
? |
Thesh |
- |
? |
Hsekiu |
- |
? |
Wazner |
- |
c.3050 BC?
|
Early dynastic: Upper Egypt
Upper Egypt, known as the Red Land, consisted of the southern Nile and the deserts.
Name |
Comments |
Dates |
Ro |
- |
? |
Serket
|
Also known as "Scorpion of Egypt" or "King Scorpion |
c.3150 BC
|
Narmer
|
Considered by some to be the founder of the First Dynasty |
c.3050 BC
|
First Dynasty
The First Dynasty ruled from c.3050 BC to 2890 BC.
Name |
Comments |
Dates |
Hor-Aha
|
Menes in earlier lists, also known as Min and Meni
|
c.3050 BC
|
Djer
|
- |
57 years |
Merneith |
Regent for Djet
|
- |
Djet
|
- |
- |
Den
|
- |
14 to 20 years |
Anedjib |
- |
26 years |
Semerkhet |
- |
9 to 18 years |
Qa'a
|
- |
2916 ?–2890
|
Second Dynasty
The Second Dynasty ruled from 2890 to 2686 BC.
Old Kingdom
The Old Kingdom is period in the third millennium BC when Egypt attained its first continuous peak of civilisational complexity and achievement (the first of three so-called "Kingdom" periods which mark the high points of civilisation in the Nile Valley), spanning the period when Egypt was ruled by the Third Dynasty through to the Sixth Dynasty (2630 - 2151 BC). Many Egyptologists also include the Memphite Seventh and Eighth Dynasties in the Old Kingdom as a continuation of the administration centralised at Memphis. The Old Kingdom was followed by a period of disunity and relative cultural decline referred to by Egyptologists as the First Intermediate Period.
The royal capital of Egypt during the Old Kingdom was located at Memphis, where Djoser established his court. The Old Kingdom is perhaps best known, however for the large number of pyramids which were constructed at this time as pharaonic burial places. For this reason, the Old Kingdom is frequently referred to as "the Age of the Pyramids".
Third Dynasty
The Third Dynasty ruled from 2686 to 2613 BC.
Fourth Dynasty
The Fourth Dynasty ruled from 2613 to 2498 BC and included the pharaohs who had the Great Pyramids built, Khufu (Cheops), Khafra (Chephren) and Menkaura (Mycerinus).
Nomen (Praenomen) |
Comments |
Dates |
Sneferu
|
- |
2613-2589 |
Khufu
|
Greek form Cheops |
2589-2566 |
Djedefra (Radjedef)
|
- |
2566-2558 |
Khafra
|
Greek form Chephren |
2558-2532 |
- |
here some authorities insert Bikheris, following Manetho
|
- |
Menkaura
|
Greek form Mycerinus |
2532-2503 |
Shepseskaf
|
- |
2503-2498 |
- |
here some authorities insert Thampthis, following Manetho |
- |
Fifth Dynasty
The Fifth Dynasty ruled from 2498 to 2345 BC.
Sixth Dynasty
The Sixth Dynasty ruled from 2345 to 2181 BC.
First intermediate period
The First Intermediate Period is the period between the end of the Old Kingdom and the advent of the Middle Kingdom.
The Old Kingdom rapidly collapsed after the death of Pepi II. He had reigned for 94 years, longer than any monarch in history, and died aged 100. The latter years of his reign were marked by ineffeciency because of his advanced age.
The Union of the Two Kingdoms fell apart and regional leaders had to cope with the resulting famine.
Around 2160 BC, a new line of pharaohs tried to reunite Lower Egypt from their capital in Heracleopolis. In the meantime, however, a rival line based at Thebes was reuniting Upper Egypt and a clash between the two rival dynasties was inevitable.
Around 2055 BC, a descendant of the pharaoh Inyotef defeated the Heracleopolitan pharaohs, reunited the Two Lands, founded the Eleventh Dynasty and ruled as Mentuhotep II, the first pharaoh of the Middle Kingdom.
Seventh Dynasty
The Seventh Dynasty ruled from 2181 to 2173 BC.
Name |
Comments |
Dates |
Neferkare I |
- |
2181- ? |
Neferkare Neby |
- |
? |
Djedure Shemai |
- |
? |
Neferkare Khendu |
- |
? |
Neferkamin |
- |
? |
Nykare |
- |
? |
Neferkare Tereru |
- |
? |
Neferkahor |
- |
? -2173 |
Eighth Dynasty
The Eighth Dynasty ruled from 2173 to 2160 BC.
Name |
Comments |
Dates |
Wadjkare Pepysonbe |
- |
2173-2169 |
Neferkamin Anu |
- |
2169-2167 |
Qakare Ibi
|
- |
2167-2163 |
Neferkare II |
- |
2163-2162 |
Neferkauhor Kapuibi |
- |
2162-2161 |
Neferirkare |
- |
2161-2160 |
Ninth Dynasty
The Ninth Dynasty ruled from 2160 to 2130 BC.
Name |
Comments |
Dates |
Meryibre Khety (Achthoes I) |
- |
2160- ? |
Meribre Khety II |
- |
? |
Neferkare III |
- |
? |
Nebkaure (Acthoes II) |
- |
? |
Setut |
- |
? |
Wakhare Khety I |
- |
? |
Merykare |
- |
? |
Wankhare Khety II |
- |
? |
Menethoupe I |
- |
? |
Wankhare Khety III |
- |
? |
Khety II |
- |
? |
Khety II's daughter |
- |
? |
Merikare's daughter |
- |
? -2130 |
Tenth Dynasty
The Tenth Dynasty was a local group that held sway over Upper Egypt that ruled from 2130 to 2040 BC.
Name |
Comments |
Dates |
Meryhathor |
- |
2130- ? |
Neferkare IV |
- |
? |
Wankare (Acthoes III) |
- |
? |
Merykare |
- |
? |
--- |
- |
? -2040 |
Eleventh Dynasty
The Eleventh Dynasty was a local group with roots in Lower Egypt that ruled from 2134 to 1991 BC.
Middle Kingdom
The Middle Kingdom is the period from the end of the First Intermediate Period to be beginning of the Second Intermediate Period. In addition to Twelfth Dynasty, some scolars include the Eleventh, Thirteenth and Fourteenth Dynasties in the Middle Kingdom.
The Thirteenth Dynasty was much weaker than the Twelfth Dynasty, and was unable to hold onto the long land of Egypt. The provincial ruling family in Xois , located in the marshes of the western Delta, broke away from the central authority to form the Fourteenth Dynasty , marking the start of the Second Intermediate period.
Twelfth Dynasty
The Twelfth Dynasty ruled from 1991 to 1782 BC .
Name |
Comments |
Dates |
Amenemhet I |
- |
1991-1962 |
Senusret I (Sesostris I) |
- |
1971-1926 |
Amenemhet II |
- |
1929-1895 |
Senusret II (Sesostris II) |
- |
1897-1878 |
Senusret III (Sesostris III) |
- |
1878-1841 |
Amenemhet III
|
- |
1842-1797 |
Amenemhet IV |
- |
1798-1786 |
Queen Sobeknefru
|
A rare female ruler. |
1785-1782 |
Second intermediate period
The Second Intermediate Period is a period of disarray between the end of the Middle Kingdom, and the start of the New Kingdom. It is best known as when the Hyksos made their appearance in Egypt, whose reign comprised the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Dynasties .
The Thirteenth Dynasty was much weaker than the Twelfth Dynasty, and was unable to hold onto the long land of Egypt. The provincial ruling family in Xois , located in the marshes of the western Delta, broke away from the central authority to form the Fourteenth Dynasty .
The Hyksos made their first appearance during the reign of Sobekhotep IV , and around 1720 BC took control of the town of Avaris (the modern Tell ed-Dab'a /Khata'na). The Hyksos, led by Salitis , the founder of the Fifteenth Dynasty, overran Egypt during the reign of Dudimose I .
Around the time Memphis fell to the Hyksos, the native Egyptian ruling house in Thebes declared its independence and set itself up as the Seventeenth Dynasty . This dynasty eventually drove the Hyksos back into Asia
Thirteenth Dynasty
The Thirteenth Dynasty ruled from 1786 to around 1705 BC .
Name |
Comments |
Dates |
Sobkhotep I |
- |
1786- ? (5+ yrs.) |
Senbuef |
- |
3 or more yrs. |
Sehetepibre |
- |
c. 1770-1769 |
Ameny Intef IV (Amenemhet V ) |
- |
? -1760 |
Amu Sihornerjheryotef |
- |
? |
Renseneb |
- |
4 mo. in c. 1760 |
Hor |
- |
c. 1760 |
Sobekhotep II (Amenemhet VI ) |
- |
c. 1750 |
Ugaf |
- |
2 years |
Senusret IV |
- |
? |
Khendjer
|
- |
4 yrs, incl. c. 1747 |
Semenkhkare |
- |
? |
Sobekemsaf I |
- |
? |
Sobekhotep III |
- |
c. 1745 |
Neferhotep I |
- |
1741-1730 |
Sobekhotep IV |
- |
1730-1720 |
Merneferre Ai
|
- |
c. 1720 |
Neferhotep II |
- |
? |
Dudimose I |
- |
c. 1674 |
Dudimose II |
- |
? |
Senebmiu |
- |
? |
Mentuhotep V |
- |
? |
Senaayeb |
- |
? |
Fourteenth Dynasty
The Fourteenth Dynasty was a local group from the eastern Delta, based at Xois (Avaris), that ruled from around 1705 to around 1690 BC .
Name |
Comments |
Dates |
Nehesy |
- |
c. 1705 |
Khakherewre ? |
- |
? |
Nebefawre |
- |
c. 1704 |
Sehebre ? |
- |
? |
Merdjefare |
- |
c. 1699 |
Sewadjkare ? |
- |
? |
Nebdjefare |
- |
c. 1694 |
Webenre ? |
- |
? |
? |
- |
? |
---djefare ? |
- |
? |
---webenre |
- |
c. 1690 |
The Turin King List provides an additional 25 names, some fragmentary, and no dates. None are attested to elsewhere, and all are of very dubious provenance.
Fifteenth Dynasty
The Fifteenth Dynasty arose from among the Hyskos people: desert Bedouins who emerged out of the Fertile Crescent to establish a short-lived governance over much of the Nile region, and ruled from 1674 to 1567 BC.
Name |
Comments |
Dates |
Sheshi |
Ruled either 1 or 3 years |
1674- ? |
Yakubher
|
- |
8 years |
Khyan |
- |
? |
Apepi I |
- |
40 years or more |
Apepi II |
- |
? |
Khamudy |
- |
? -1567 |
Sixteenth Dynasty
The Sixteenth Dynasty was a local group based on the north coast of the Sinai (Pelusium) and ruled from 1663 to around 1555 BC:
Nomen (Praenomen) |
Comments |
Dates |
- |
name of the first king is lost here in the Turin King List, and cannot be recovered
|
- |
Djehuty (Sekhemresementawy)
|
- |
3 y |
Sobekhotep VIII (Sekhemresewosertawy) |
- |
16 y |
Neferhotep III (Sekhemresankhtawy) |
- |
1 y |
Mentuhotepi (Sankhenra) |
- |
1 y |
Nebiryraw I (Sewadjenra) |
- |
26 y |
Nebiryraw II |
- |
3 m? |
- (Semenra ) |
- |
1 y? |
Bebiankh (Sewoserenra) |
- |
12 y |
- (Sekhemreshedwaset ) |
- |
3 m? |
- |
names of five kings are lost here in the Turin King List, and cannot be recovered |
- |
Some sources include as many as six more names -- Semqen, Khauserre, Seket, Ahetepre, Amu, and Nebkhepeshre (Apepi III) -- who are not attested elsewhere. This group seems to have disappeared entirely by 1555 BC.
Seventeenth Dynasty
The Seventeenth Dynasty was based in Upper Egypt and ruled from 1650 to 1570 BC:
Name |
Comments |
Dates |
Rehotep |
- |
1650- ? |
Intef V the Elder |
- |
3 years |
Intef VI |
- |
? |
Sobekemsaf II |
- |
16 years |
Thuty |
- |
1 year |
Mentuhotep VI |
- |
1 year |
Nebiryerawet I |
- |
6 years |
Nebiryerawet II |
- |
? |
Semenmedjatre |
- |
? |
Seuserenre |
- |
12 years |
Shedwast |
- |
? |
Intef VII |
- |
3 or more years |
Senakhtenre |
- |
? |
Tao I the Elder |
- |
c. 1633 |
Tao II the Brave |
- |
c. 1574 |
Kamose
|
- |
1573-1570 |
New Kingdom
The New Kingdom is the period covering the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and Twentieth dynasty of Egypt, from the 16th century BC to the 11th century BC, between the Second Intermediate Period, and the Third Intermediate Period.
The New Kingdom saw Egypt's greatest territorial extent. It expanded far into Nubia in the south, and held wide territories in the Near East. Egyptian armies fought with Hittite armies for control of modern-day Syria.
Two of the best known pharaohs of the New Kingdom are Akhenaten, also known as Amenhotep IV, whose exclusive worship of the Aten is often interpreted as the first instance of monotheism, and Ramesses II, who attempted to recover the territories in modern Israel, Lebanon and Syria that had been held in the Eighteenth Dynasty. His reconquest led to the Battle of Qadesh, where he led the Egyptian armies against the army of the Hittite king Muwatalli II.
Eighteenth Dynasty
The Eighteenth Dynasty ruled from 1570 to 1293 BC :
Nineteenth Dynasty
The Nineteenth Dynasty ruled from 1293 to 1185 BC and includes one of the greatest pharaohs: Rameses II the Great:
Twentieth Dynasty
The Twentieth Dynasty ruled from 1185 to 1070 BC:
High Priests of Amun at Thebes
While not regarded as a dynasty per se, the High Priests of Amun at Thebes were nevertheless of such power and influence that they were effectively the rulers of Upper Egypt from 1080 to 945 BC.
Name |
Comments |
Dates |
Herihor
|
- |
1080-1074 |
Piankh |
- |
1074-1070 |
Pinedjem I
|
- |
1070-1032 |
Masaherta |
- |
1054-1046 |
Menkheperre
|
- |
1045-992 |
Nesbanebdjed II |
Also known as Smendes II |
992-990 |
Pinedjem II |
- |
990-969 |
Psusennes III
|
almost certainly the same person as Psusennes II
|
969-945 |
Twenty-first Dynasty
The Twenty-first Dynasty was based at Tanis and was a relatively weak group. Theoretically, they were rulers of all Egypt, but in practice their influence was limited to Lower Egypt. They ruled from 1069 to 945 BC
Name |
Comments |
Dates |
Nesbanebdjed I |
Also known as Smendes I |
1069-1043 |
Amenemnisu |
- |
1043-1039 |
Psusennes I |
- |
1039-991 |
Amenemope
|
- |
993-984 |
Osorkon the Elder |
- |
984-978 |
Siamun |
- |
978-959 |
Psusennes II
|
- |
959-945 |
Third intermediate period
The Third Intermediate Period marked the end of the New Kingdom. A number of dynasties of Libyan origin ruled, giving this period its alternative name of the Libyan Period.
Twenty-second Dynasty
The pharaohs of the Twenty-second Dynasty were Libyans, ruling from around 945 to 715 BC:
Name |
Comments |
Dates |
Shoshenq I
|
Biblical Shishaq
|
945-924 |
Osorkon I
|
- |
924-889 |
Shoshenq II |
- |
890-890/889 |
Takelot I |
- |
889-874 |
Harsiese |
A rebel, at Thebes |
870-860 |
Osorkon II
|
- |
874-850 |
Takelot II
|
- |
850-825 |
Shoshenq III |
- |
825-786 |
Shoshenq "quartus" |
also known as Shoshenq Ib, IIIa, IIIbis, "IV" (not to be confused with Shoshenq IV ), and others |
786-773 |
Pami |
- |
773-767 |
Shoshenq V |
- |
767-730 |
Osorkon IV |
- |
730-715 |
Twenty-third Dynasty
The Twenty-third Dynasty was a local group, again of Libyan origin, based at Leontopolis, that ruled from 818 to 715 BC:
Name |
Comments |
Dates |
Pedibastet
|
- |
818-793 |
Shoshenq IV |
- |
792-787 |
Osorkon III |
- |
787-759 |
Takelot III |
- |
764-757 |
Rudamon |
- |
757-754 |
Iuput |
- |
754-715 |
The Libu
Not reckoned a dynasty as such, the Libu were yet another group of western nomads (Libyans) who occupied the western Delta from 800 to 727 BC.
Name |
Comments |
Dates |
Inamunnifnebu |
- |
800-790 |
? |
- |
790-775 |
Niumateped |
- |
775-750 |
Titaru |
- |
758-750 |
Ker |
- |
750-745 |
Rudamon |
- |
745-740 |
Ankhor |
- |
740-731 |
Tefnakht |
- |
731-727 |
Twenty-fourth Dynasty
The Twenty-fourth Dynasty was a short-lived rival dynasty located in the western Delta (Sais), with only two Pharaoh ruling from 727 to 715 BC.
Name |
Comments |
Dates |
Tefnakhte |
- |
727-720 |
Bakenrenef (Bocchoris)
|
- |
720-715 |
Late period
The Late Period runs from 716 BC to Egypt becoming a province of Rome in 30 BC, and includes periods of rule by Nubians, Persians, and Macedonians.
Twenty-fifth Dynasty
Nubians invaded Egypt in 716 BC and took the throne of Egypt, establishing the Twenty-fifth Dynasty which ruled until 656 BC.
They were ultimately driven back into Nubia, where they established a kingdom at Napata (656-590), and, later, at Meroλ (590 BC-4th cent. AD).
Twenty-sixth Dynasty
The Twenty-sixth Dynasty ruled from around 665 to 525 BC, with one Pharaoh:
Twenty-seventh Dynasty
Egypt was conquered by the Persian Empire in 525 BC and annexed by the Persians until 404 BC. The Achaemenid shahs were acknowledged as pharaohs in this era, forming a "Twenty-seventh" Dynasty:
Twenty-eighth Dynasty
The Twenty-eighth Dynasty lasted only 6 years, from 404 to 398 BC, with one Pharaoh:
Name |
Comments |
Dates |
Amyrtaeus |
Descendant of the Saite pharaohs of the Twenty-sixth Dynasty; led a successful revolt against the Persians |
404 - 398 BC
|
Twenty-ninth Dynasty
The Twenty-ninth Dynasty ruled from 398 to 380 BC:
Thirtieth Dynasty
The Thirtieth Dynasty ruled from 380 until Egypt once came more under Persian rule in 343 BC:
Persians and Macedonians
Egypt came under the control of the Persians and Macedonians from 343 to 309 BC. After the practice of Manetho, the Persian rulers from 343 to 332 BC are occasionally designated as the Thirty-first Dynasty:
Ptolemaic Dynasty
In the Hellenistic period, the Ptolemaic Dynasty ruled Egypt from 305 BC until Egypt became a province of Rome in 30 BC (whenever two dates overlap, that means there was a co-regency):
Rome
Egypt became a province of Rome under Augustus Caesar in 30 BC.
References
- Sir Alan Gardiner Egyptian Grammar: Being an Introduction to the Study of Hieroglyphs, Third Edition, Revised. London: Oxford University Press, 1964. Excursus A, pp. 71-76.
See also
External links
Last updated: 05-21-2005 01:25:47