PHARAOH.SE26 rows — 25 kings.
Twenty-six continuous rows with the full or partial names of fourteen kings. At the bottom, there is a summation of dynasties I-V. The fragments in this column must be adjusted so that the written text is in alignment with the other columns. Older reconstructions fail to make certain that the text of column 4 start at the same vertical position as the other columns. The column is extra wide to accomodate the lifetime of the kings.
Curiously, the kings of the Fourth Dynasty in the Abydos king list holds six kings (20-25), Saqqara nine (43-35) and the Canon eight (4.9-16), indicating incompletely preserved records. Centuries later, scribes compiling Source B (third to sixth dynasties) of Vorlage A, accessed the archives and added the kings of the Fourth Dynasty. The discrepancy between the king lists is puzzling.
| Rows | Remarks | Kings |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Second Dynasty (continued) | 3 |
| 4–8 | Third Dynasty | 5 |
| 9–16 | Fourth Dynasty | 8 |
| 17–25 | Fifth Dynasty | 9 |
| 26 | Summation for First through Fifth dynasties |
Quick reference key
Implied repeating text (ditto marks) is underlined.
Missing signs that can be restored are represented grey.
Signs written with red ink (important) are presented in red.
Signs that are lost or unreadable are represented by ... three dots.
Missing signs that can be restored are represented grey.
Signs written with red ink (important) are presented in red.
Signs that are lost or unreadable are represented by ... three dots.
Column 4.1
Transliteration:nsw-bit nfr-kꜢ-skr rnpt 8 Ꜣbdw 3 hrw N ... 10
Translation:The Dual King Neferkasokar 8 years 3 months x days his lifetime 10
Neferkasokar (15th king)
Dynasty: II (7)
Gardiner: III.1
Fragment no(s): 18
Only the lower part of the ten-sign at the end is evident, meaning the number could be a 10, 20 or 30. The name is unlikely to be historical, but whether it is fictious, or a false etymology of an unidentifiable name remain unknown.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saqqara King List 50 |  | nfr-kꜢ-skr | Neferkasokar |
| Africanus II (7) | Nεφερχερης | Nepherkherēs (25 years) |
Column 4.2
Transliteration:nsw-bit ḥw-ḏfꜢ rnpt 11 Ꜣbdw 8 hrw 4 ꜤḥꜤ-f-m-Ꜥnḫ rnpt 34 Ꜣbdw x ...
Translation:The Dual King Hudjefa, 11 years, 8 months, 4 days, his lifetime 34 years ...
Hudjefa I (16th king)
Dynasty: II (8)
Gardiner: III.2
Fragment no(s): 18 (+50?)
Hudjefa is a pseudonym of an illegible or damaged name. The upper part of the first ten-sign is missing, it uncertain if the sign was 10, 20, (or less probable 30.) The last number is clearly 34 years. A badly damaged Hudjefa also appears in the Saqqara King List between Neferkasokar and Khasekhemwy. Gardiner's unplaced fr. 50 contain the only remaining patch, placing it at the end of column 4 make sense, as a patch is missing between fr. 18 and fr. 59. The rightmost part is the first row of Champollion's fragment Ff.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saqqara King List 49 |  | ḥw-ḏfꜢ | Hudjefa |
| Africanus II (8) | Σεσωχρις | Sesōkhris (48 years) | |
| Eusebius II (8) | Σεσωχρις | Sesōkhris (48 years) |
Column 4.3
Transliteration:nsw-bit bbti ... rnpt 27, Ꜣbdw 2 hrw 1 ꜤhꜤ=f m Ꜥnḫ rnpt 40 ...
Translation:The Dual King Bebti ... 27 years, 2 months, 1 day, his lifetime 40 years ...
Khasekhemwy (17th king)
Dynasty: II (9)
Gardiner: III.3
Fragment no(s): 18 (+50?)
The New Kingdom scribes interpreted an unknown name of Khasekhemwy from their sources differently, causing divergent names being used in the canons. The complete age numbers are lost as the papyrus break off. Gardiner's unplaced fr. 50 contain the only remaining patch, placing it at the end of column 4 make sense, as a patch is missing between fr. 18 and fr. 59. The rightmost part is the second row of Champollion's fragment Ff.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos King List 14 |  | ḏꜢ-ḏꜢ-y | Djadjay |
| Saqqara King List 48 |  | bbty | Bebety |
| Africanus II (9) | Χενερης | Khenerēs (30 years) | |
| Eusebius II (9) | Χενερης | Khenerēs (30 years) |
Column 4.4
Transliteration:nsw-bit nb-kꜢ ... rnpt 19 ... ꜤḥꜤ f m Ꜥnḫ ...
Translation:The Dual King Nebka ... 19 years ... his lifetime ...
Nebka (18th king)
Dynasty: III (1)
Gardiner: III.4
Fragment no(s): 18 + 32 (+50?)
Gardiner saw a clear trace of a one after the kꜢ -sign, which is absent in the facsimiles of Lepsius and Wilkinson. The ditto marks for lifetime seem to indicate that none existed, or perhaps it was simply a mistake by the scribe. The rightmost part is the first row of Champollion's fragment Gg.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos King List 15 |  | nb-kꜢ | Nebka |
| Saqqara King List 45 |  | nb-kꜢ-rꜤ | Nebkara |
| Africanus III (1) | Nεχεροφης | Nekherophēs (28 years) | |
| Eusebius III (1) | Νεχερωχις | Nekherōkhis |
Column 4.5
Transliteration:nsw-bit ḏsr-it ir.n f m-nswyt rnpt 19 Ꜣbd 1 ꜤḥꜤ=f-m-Ꜥnḫ ...
Translation:The Dual King Djoserit, he acted as king for 19 years 1 month, his lifetime ...
Djoser (19th king)
Dynasty: III (2)
Gardiner: III.5
Fragment no(s): 18 + 32 (+50?)
The name is certain with just one possible sign lost above the t . This is the only example in the king list where a title is written in red ink, likely due to the excellent reputation of Djoser in later times. The rightmost part is the second row of Champollion's fragment Gg.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos King List 16 |  | ḏsr-sꜢ | Djosersa |
| Saqqara King List 47 |  | ḏsr | Djoser |
| Africanus III (2) | Tοσορθρος | Tosorthros (29 years) | |
| Eusebius III (2) | Σεσορθος | Sesorthos |
Column 4.6
Transliteration:nsw-bit ḏsr-ti ir.n f m nswyt rnpt 6 Ꜣbdw ...
Translation:The Dual King Djoserti, he acted as king for 6 years x months ...
Sekhemkhet (20th king)
Dynasty: III (3)
Gardiner: III.6
Fragment no(s): 18 + 136 + 32
The absence of the rnpt ligature seems to indicate that the ditto mark stand for the entire length of reign formula, plus the year. The rightmost part is the third row of Champollion's fragment Gg.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos King List 17 |  | tti | Teti |
| Saqqara King List 46 |  | ḏsr-tti | Djoserteti |
| Africanus III (3) | Tυρεις | Tyreis (7 years) |
Column 4.7
Transliteration:nsw-bit ḥw-ḏfꜢ rnpt 6 Ꜣbdw ...
Translation:The Dual King Hudjefa, 6 years x months ...
Hudjefa II (21st king)
Dynasty: III (4)
Gardiner: III.7
Fragment no(s): 136 + 32 + 18
The first vertical stroke is likely a partial I10-sign (ḏ ), but curiously there is no trace of the G1-sign (Ꜣ ). The likely name would be Hudjefa, a pseudonym replacing an illegible or damaged name. The name Sedjes in the Abydos King List derive from sḏsy , ‘it is damaged,’ just as ḥw-ḏfꜢ . The six years was assigned as the length of reign was damaged in a vorlage to the Canon. The meaning of the ditto mark(?) at the end is a curiosity.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos King List 18 |  | sḏs | Sedjes |
Column 4.8
Transliteration:nsw-bit ḥwni ... Ꜥnḫ-wḏꜢ-snb rnpt 24 pꜢ-ḳd-sšm ...
Translation:The Dual King Huni, life, prosperity and health, 24 years, the one who has built Seshem ...
Huni (22nd king)
Dynasty: III (5)
Gardiner: III.8
Fragment no(s): 136 + 31 + 32 + 17 + 18
The sublinear sign on fr. 17 could be a I9-sign (f ). The G17-sign (m ) as seen by Gardiner does not seem to be present at the end of fr. 18. The rightmost part (fr. 31) is the first row of Champollion's fragment L.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saqqara King List 44 |  | ḥwni | Huni |
| Palermo Stone Palermo Stone |  | ḥw-nswt | Hunisut |
Column 4.9
Transliteration:nsw-bit snfr rnpt 24 ...
Translation:The Dual King Snofer(u), 24 years ...
Sneferu (23rd king)
Dynasty: IV (1)
Gardiner: III.9
Fragment no(s): 31 + 32 + 17
The opening cartouche is missing. A possible trace of the quail chick sign (G43, w ) is visible on fr. 32. The rightmost part (fr. 31) is the second row of Champollion's fragment L.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos King List 20 |  | s-nfr-w | Sneferu |
| Saqqara King List 43 |  | s-nfr-w | Sneferu |
| Karnak King List 2 |  | s-nfr-w | Sneferu |
| Africanus IV (1) | Σωρις | Sōris (29 years) |
Column 4.10
Transliteration:nsw-bit ... rnpt 23 ...
Translation:The Dual King ... 23 years ...
Khufu (24th king)
Dynasty: IV (2)
Gardiner: III.10
Fragment no(s): 32
The name is entirely lost, only a number of years remain. Khufu was the successor of his father Sneferu, which is known from contemporary records, and also seen in the canons of Abydos and Saqqara.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos King List 21 |  | ḫfw | Khufu |
| Saqqara King List 42 |  | ḫwfw | Khufu |
| Africanus IV (2) | Σουφις | Souphis (63 years) | |
| Eusebius IV (3) | Σουφις | Souphis | |
| Herodotus 124.1 | Χεοπα | Kheopa | |
| Eratosthenes 15 | Σαωφις | Saōphis (29 years) |
Column 4.11
Transliteration:nsw-bit ... rnpt 8 ...
Translation:The Dual King ..., 8 years ...
Radjedef (25th king)
Dynasty: IV (3)
Gardiner: III.11
Fragment no(s): 32
The name is entirely lost, only a couple number of years remain. Radjedef succeeded his father Khufu, and his name is found in the Abydos and Saqqara King Lists, albeit with slightly varying names. This clearly indicate that his name would have been found here.
Significantly, there is no ten-sign after the year-sign, indicating a reign of only eight years.
Significantly, there is no ten-sign after the year-sign, indicating a reign of only eight years.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos King List 22 |  | ḏd.f-rꜤ | Radjedef |
| Saqqara King List 41 |  | ḏd.f-rꜤ | Radjedef |
| Africanus IV (5) | Ρατοισης | Rhatoisēs (25 years) | |
| Eratosthenes 13 | Ραυωσις | Rhayōsis (13 years) |
Column 4.12
Transliteration:nsw-bit ... ḫꜤ ... rnpt N
Translation:The Dual King Kha... x years
Khafra (26th king)
Dynasty: IV (4)
Gardiner: III.12
Fragment no(s): 33 + 32
The trace of a N28-sign (ḫꜤ ) must belong to Khafra, as he was the only Fourth Dynasty king using that sign in his name. The trace of a possible G43-sign (w ), would explain its presence in the Saqqara King List. No numbers are preserved.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos King List 23 |  | ḫꜤ.f-rꜤ | Khafra |
| Saqqara King List 40 |  | ḫꜤ.w-f-rꜤ | Khaufra |
| Africanus IV (3) | Σουφις | Souphis (66 years) | |
| Herodotus 127.1 | Χεφρηνα | Khephrēna |
Column 4.13
Transliteration:nsw-bit ... rnpt ...
Translation:The Dual King ... years
Baufra (27th king)
Dynasty: IV (5)
Gardiner: III.13
Fragment no(s): 33 + 32
The name of the fifth king of the dynasty is lost. It is probable that records from the Old Kingdom were lost over time, resulting in a tradition based on historical facts, but altered for cultic or political reasons. However, as can be seen in many places in the Canon, kings were not supressed for being unpopular or ephemeral, while the cultic records omitted undesirable ancestors. The tradition of the pyramid builders overshadowed the ‘lesser’ kings of the dynasty, which over time, were simply lumped together at the end of the dynasty. According to Manetho, the sixth and eight kings were Bikheres, and Thamphthis, both otherwise completely unknown and unattested.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Africanus IV (6) | Bιχερης | Bikherēs (22 years) | |
| Eratosthenes 14 | Βιυρης | Biurēs (10 years) |
Column 4.14
Transliteration:nsw-bit ... rnpt 28
Translation:The Dual King ... 28 years
Menkaura (28th king)
Dynasty: IV (6)
Gardiner: III.14
Fragment no(s): 33 + 32 + 34 + 38
Only the bottom part of the ten-sign is visible, meaning the number of years could be 18, 28, or even 38. With a minimum reign of 18 years, the lost name would most likely have belonged to Menkaura, who had his pyramid built at Giza. Fragment 34 holds the first row of Champollion's fragment Qq.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos King List 24 |  | mn-kꜢw-rꜤ | Menkaura |
| Africanus IV (4) | Mενχερης | Menkherēs (63 years) | |
| Herodotus 129.1 | Μυκερινον | Mykerinon | |
| Eratosthenes 17 | Μοσχερως | Moskherēs (31 years) |
Column 4.15
Transliteration:nsw-bit ... rnpt 4 ...
Translation:The Dual King ... 4 years ...
Shepseskaf (29th king)
Dynasty: IV (7)
Gardiner: III.15
Fragment no(s): 34 + 38
The name is lost, only traces of the closing cartouche remains. Shepseskaf succeeded Menkaura, and is known to only have ruled for a few years, which would seem to fit well with the 4 years recorded here. The traces on fr. 38 were omitted by Gardiner and only commented as being blank. Fragment 34 holds the second row of Champollion's fragment Qq.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos King List 25 |  | šps-kꜢ.f | Shepseskaf |
| Africanus IV (7) | Σεβερχερης | Seberkherēs (7 years) |
Column 4.16
Transliteration:nsw-bit ... rnpt 2
Translation:The Dual King ... 2 years
Thamphthis (30th king)
Dynasty: IV (8)
Gardiner: III.16
Fragment no(s): 34 + 38
The name is lost, only the record of a two-year reign remain. The tradition of the pyramid builders overshadowed the “lesser” kings of the dynasty, which over time, were simply lumped together at the end of the dynasty. In this position, Manetho record Thamphthis,ḏd.f-ptḥ). See Ryholt 1997: 17f."> a king that is otherwise completely unattested. The Abydos King List does not record a king between Shepseskaf (25) and Userkaf (26.) Fragment 34 holds the third row of Champollion's fragment Qq.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Africanus IV (8) | Θαμφθις | Thamphthis (9 years) |
Column 4.17
Transliteration:nsw-bit ...-kꜢ-... rnpt 7 ...
Translation:The Dual King ...ka..., 7 years ...
Userkaf (31st king)
Dynasty: V (1)
Gardiner: III.17
Fragment no(s): 34
At the end of the cartouche, there are traces a D28-sign (kꜢ ), and below that possibly a minute part of an I9-sign (f ). This is the first row of Champollion's fragment Ll.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos King List 26 |  | wsr-kꜢ.f | Userkaf |
| Saqqara King List 34 | | wsr-kꜢ.f | Userkaf |
| Africanus V (1) | Ουσερχερης | Ouserkherēs (28 years) |
Column 4.18
Transliteration:nsw-bit ... rnpt 12
Translation:The Dual King ... 12 years
Sahura (32nd king)
Dynasty: V (2)
Gardiner: III.18
Fragment no(s): 34
The name is lost, and only the record of 12 years remains. Sahura was the son of Userkaf, and is attested on the Abydos and Saqqara King Lists as his successor. This is the second row of Champollion's fragment Ll.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos King List 27 |  | sꜢḥw-rꜤ | Sahura |
| Saqqara King List 33 | | sꜢḥw-rꜤ | Sahura |
| Karnak King List 3 | | sꜢḥw-rꜤ | Sahura |
| Africanus V (2) | Σεφρης | Sephrēs (13 years) |
Column 4.19
Transliteration:nsw-bit ... ir.n f m nswyt ...
Translation:The Dual King ... he acted as king for ...
Neferirkara I Kakai (33rd king)
Dynasty: V (3)
Gardiner: III.19
Fragment no(s): 34
The name is missing, only the cartouche end remain. Neferirkara was the first king to use a prenomen and nomen as independent names. Attested on the Abydos and Saqqara King Lists as the successor to his father Sahura. This is the third row of Champollion's fragment Ll.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos King List 28 |  | kꜢ-kꜤ-i | Kakai |
| Saqqara King List 32 |  | nfr-ir-kꜢ-rꜤ | Neferirkara |
| Africanus V (3) | Νεφερχερης | Nepherkherēs (20 years) |
Column 4.20
Transliteration:nsw-bit ... rnpt 7 ...
Translation:The Dual King ... 7 years ...
Shepseskara Netjeruser (34th king)
Dynasty: V (4)
Gardiner: III.20
Fragment no(s): 34
Shepseskara probably usurped the throne and only ruled a few months, but is present on the Saqqara King List between Neferirkara and Neferefra. As the fourth king of the dynasty, he is identified with Manetho's Sisires who is attributed a 7 year reign.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saqqara King List 31 |  | šps-kꜢ-rꜤ | Shepseskara |
| Africanus V (4) | Σισιρης | Sisirēs (7 years) |
Column 4.21
Transliteration:nsw-bit ... rnpt x ...
Translation:The Dual King ... x years ...
Neferefra Isi (35th king)
Dynasty: V (5)
Gardiner: III.21
Fragment no(s): 34
The entire name is lost, and the singular year stroke is in accord with the contemporary evidence that his reign lasted only a year or two. Neferefra was the eldest son of Neferirkara and is present in the Abydos King List. Also present in the Saqqara King List, but there as Kha-nefer-ra, which is puzzling. Perhaps it was confused with his Horus name, Nefer-khau with similar signs. Unreadable(?) trace of red ink on fr. 45.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos King List 29 |  | nfr.f-rꜤ | Neferefra |
| Saqqara King List 30 |  | ḫꜤ-nfr-rꜤ | Khaneferra |
| Africanus V (5) | Χερης | Kherēs (20 years) |
Column 4.22
Transliteration:nsw-bit ... rnpt 10 + x ...
Translation:The Dual King ... 10 + x years ...
Niuserra Ini (36th king)
Dynasty: V (6)
Gardiner: III.22
Fragment no(s): 34
Only the bottom part of the ten-sign is visible, followed by a stroke after which the papyrus breaks off. Accordingly, the number could be 11-14, 21-24, or 31-34. The two names of Niuserra are found on the Abydos and Karnak King Lists respectively.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos King List 30 |  | ni-wsr-rꜤ | Niuserra |
| Karnak King List 4 |  | ini | Ini |
| Africanus V (6) | Ραθουρης | Rhathourēs (44 years) |
Column 4.23
Transliteration:nsw-bit mn-kꜢ-ḥr rnpt 8
Translation:The Dual King Menkauhor, 8 years
Menkauhor Kaiu (37th king)
Dynasty: V (7)
Gardiner: III.23
Fragment no(s): 34
Attested on the Abydos and Saqqara King Lists with variants of the same name. Manetho name him Menkheres , the hellenized form of Menkahor, and also indicate a reign of 9 years. The rightmost part is the first row of Champollion's fragments Aa and Hh.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos King List 31 |  | mn-kꜢ.w-ḥr | Menkauhor |
| Saqqara King List 29 |  | mn-kꜢ-ḥr | Menkahor |
| Africanus V (7) | Μενχερης | Menkherēs (9 years) |
Column 4.24
Transliteration:nsw-bit ḏd.w rnpt 28
Translation:The Dual King Djedu, 28 years
Djedkara Isesi (38th king)
Dynasty: V (8)
Gardiner: III.24
Fragment no(s): 34
Attested on the inscribed New Kingdom Canons under three slightly different names, with a fourth variant recorded here. The variations are likely due to lacunae in the original records. The rightmost part (i.e. the name) is the second row of Champollion's fragments Aa and Hh.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos King List 32 |  | ḏd-kꜢ-rꜤ | Djedkara |
| Saqqara King List 28 |  | mꜢꜤ.t-kꜢ-rꜤ | Maatkara |
| Karnak King List 5 |  | issi | Isesi |
| Africanus V (8) | Τανχερης | Tankherēs (44 years) |
Column 4.25
Transliteration:nsw-bit wnis rnpt 30
Translation:The Dual King Unas, 30 years
Unas (39th king)
Dynasty: V (9)
Gardiner: III.25
Fragment no(s): 34
Any additional numbers are lost as the papyrus break off. Unas, the last king of the fifth dynasty, is also present on the Abydos and Saqqara King Lists. Manetho hellenized his name as Onnos, and recorded his reign to be 33 years. The end of the name is the third row of Champollion's fragment Hh.
| Source | Cartouche | Name | Transcription |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abydos King List 33 |  | wnis | Unis |
| Saqqara King List 27 | | wnis | Unis |
| Africanus V (9) | Οννος | Onnos (33 years) |
Column 4.26
Transliteration:dmḏ nswyw šꜢ mni r-mn wnis ir.n f m nswyt rnpt 768 ...
Translation:Total of the kings beginning with Meni down to Unas, their years: 768 ...
Summation
Gardiner: III.26
Fragment no(s): 34
Summation of the First through Fifth Dynasties. The number of years lost in the lacuna can be calculated by taking Summation 3 (5.16–17) and subtracting Summation 2 (5.14–15), which result in 768 years. Perhaps only the full years were recorded, or omitted altogether, as there is not enough space for the years, months, and days. The end of the name is the fourth row of Champollion's fragment Hh.