Select a topic

     Ancient Rome   Ancient Egypt

This site has earned the

The Learning Forum
Ancient Egypt

Five Names of Pharaoh

Predynastic Egypt

First Dynasty

Hieroglyphic Alphabet

Books On Egypt

Introduction

Ancient Egyptian History

Hieroglyphs

Historical Fiction

or

e-mail us

The First Dynasty
circa 3100 - 2890 BC

To print this list, click anywhere on this screen, then invoke the print command from your browser.

King Hor-Aha.

His hieroglyphic name on this serekh translates into 'Horus the fighter or Horus who fights'. We presume that Hor-Aha is the son of Narmer. There is evidence that Hor-Aha was also known as Men or Menes, the traditional unifier of the two lands. One reason that gives credence to this believe was the discovery of Aha's mothers tomb at Nagada. Her name was Queen Nithotep. In her tomb were artifacts with the Horus name of AHA inscribed and next to the Horus name was the Nebti or 2 ladies name of Men. Aha is attributed to the founding of the city of Memphis. Memphis became the capital of Egypt during the Old Kingdom (3rd to 8th Dynasties).

---

King Djer. Djer is said to have reigned for 57 years. In his tomb at Abydos was found one of the earliest pieces of royal jewelry that exists. This jewellery, in the form of bracelets came from an arm in the tomb of Djer. This mummified arm was found in a crack in the rocks, probably left by a rushed tomb robber who never returned for it. Djer's wife or mother was Queen Merneith, who had a large tomb nearby.

---

King Djet. Djet's tomb at Abydos is called Tomb Z. He is also referred to as Uadji or Wadji. A beautiful stone funerary stele was found at Abydos, it is over 4 feet in height. This sculpture is now housed in the Louvre Museum, Paris.

---

King Den. With Den, the historical record becomes clearer. Many items have survived with this kings name inscribed on them. He was buried in a chamber made of granite from Aswan. This fact marks Den's reign as a prosperous one. An ivory label found at Abydos, shows king Den clubbing a foreign enemy from Asia or the east.

---

King Adjib. Adjib or Anedjib reigned for 26 years. His tomb called Tomb X at Abydos is lined with wood, which is considered a low standard for a king. He used the title of King of upper and lower Egypt, but he does not seem to have had control over the entire region. He married a Queen from Memphis, maybe to consolidate his hold on lower Egypt. Her name was Betrest and is the mother of King Semerkhet.

---

King Semerkhet. Semerkhet may have usurped Adjib from his throne, because he erased Adjib's name from many items. According to the Palermo stone Semerkhet reigned for 9 years and according to Manetho numerous disasters occurred during his reign.

---

King Qa'a. Qa'a is the last king of the first dynasty. His tomb at Abydos is called Tomb Q. His burial chamber is small and brick lined. Stone vessels bearing this king's name were found beneath the pyramid of king Djoser.