Pharaoh.SEPHARAOH.SE

Semerkhet

The seventh pharaoh of the First Dynasty
Prenomen: Iry/Semsu
Semerkhet was the first pharaoh using the Nebty title in its ultimate form. The name in the New Kingdom king lists is Semsu or Semsem, which means the eldest, which might tie in with the 72 years mentioned in the Turin papyrus, but he likely only ruled for a decade or so. According to Africanus and Eusebius he was named Semempses by Manetho.

Titulary & Hieroglyphs

s-mr-Ht
Semer khet
s-mr-ḥt
"Companion of the Gods"
Petrie, Royal Tombs, I, plate XXVIII
Beckerath, “Handbuch”:40-41, 7:H
jry
Iry
ꞽry
"The Dual king who belongs to the Two Ladies"
Ivory label British Museum EA 32668
Petrie, Royal Tombs, I, plate XII (1)
The archaic sign (A469) is similar to A17 and was likely confused by the NK scribes.
smsw
Semsu
smsw
"The eldest"
Mariette, Abydos, I, plate 43 (7)
Abydos Canon7·Beckerath, “Handbuch”:40-41, 7:2
smsm
Semsem
smsm
"The elder (of Horus)"
Turin King List3.18·Beckerath, “Handbuch”:40-41, 7:3

Sources of antiquity

Author Greek Transcription Reign
Africanus  i, 7 Σεμεμψης Semempsis 18 years
Eusebius  i, 7 Σεμεμψης Semempses 18 years
Eratosthenes  5 Πεμφως Pemphus 18 years

References