Diodorus Siculus

c. 40 BC

Diodorus Siculus was a Greek historian born in Sicily. His magnum opus, _Bibliotheca Historica_, consisted of forty books divided into three sections, and was likely begun in the 40s BC. The last book is believed to have been completed before Octavian's incorporation of Egypt as a Roman province in 30 BC, which is not mentioned by Diodorus. The first book describes the history and culture of Egypt. Below are the names of the kings mentioned, with a brief description. He used the works of earlier historians, such as Herodotus, and adapted events and stories to suit his own purpose. The stories lack a clear chronology, making it difficult to identify the pharaohs associated with each story; they are often amalgamations of many kings, or confused with later kings and periods. His first-hand account of his visit to Egypt and his interactions with the priests is still valuable, with otherwise unobtainable information about ancient Egypt.

Pharaoh	Greek	Transliteration	Description
Narmer	Μηναν / Μηνα	Menan / Mena	Introduced his people to luxury
Tafnakht	Τνεφαχθον	Tnephachthon	Denounced luxury and cursed Menes, which is why his name was almost forgotten
—	Βοκχοριδος	Bokkhoridos
Ramesses II	Οσυμανδυας	Osymandyas
—	Ουχορευς	Oukhoreus	The eight king, founded Memphis
Amenemhat III	Μοιρις	Moiris	Succeeded to the throne 12 generations after Uchoreus
Senusret III	Σεσοωσις	Sesoösis	Seven generations after Moeris, a great king. Killed himself after becoming blind after 33 years reign
—	Aμασις	Amasis	Ruled with great harshness and contempt
—	Aκτισανης	Aktisanes	King of Ethiopia, defeated Amasis
—	Μενδην	Menden	Who some call Μάρρον (Marron), built the Labyrinth
—	Κετηνα	Cetes	Thought by Greeks to be Πρωνεύς (Proneus)
Ramesses III	Pεμφις	Rhemphis	Amassed riches and left a treasure larger than that of any king before him
—	Νειλέως	Neileos	After whom the Nile river is named
Khufu	Χεμμις	Khemmis	Eight king of Memphis, ruled 50 years, and built the largest pyramid
Khafra	Κεφρην	Kephren	Brother of Χέμμις who succeded him. Built the second pyramid.
Radjedef	Χαβρυην	Khabryen	Son of Chemmis who some say took the throne after him, not Cephren.
Menkaura	Μυκερινος	Mukerinos	Who some call Μεγχερῖνον (Mencherinon), a son of Chemmis
Shabaka	Σαβακων	Sabakon	By birth an Ethiopian, yet in piety and uprightness far surpassed his predecessors
—	Ψαμμητιχος	Psammetikhos
Apries	Aπριης	Apries	King for 22 years, strangled by the men of Amasis
Amasis	Aμασις	Amasis	Ruled for 55 years until Cambyses conquered Egypt
Djedhor Teos I	Ταχως	Takhos	King Tachos of Egypt received 500 talents of silver and 50 warships

Bibliography

Mariette, Auguste., 1869. Abydos, I. Paris: plate 43
Dümichen, Johannes., 1869. inschriften, Vol II. Leipzig: plate XLV