Pharaoh Merneferre Ay
Merneferre Ay, sometimes spelled Aya or Eje, was a pharaoh of the mid-13th Dynasty of ancient Egypt. He holds the distinction of being the longest-reigning king of this period, ruling...
Category: Egyptian Pharaohs
Pharaohs, ancient Egypt’s divine rulers, held unparalleled political and religious influence, shaping millennia of rich history and monumental achievements.
Divine Role: Pharaohs were not just political leaders; they were also considered living gods. They were intermediaries between the gods and the people and were believed to ensure the continued order of the cosmos.
Child Rulers: Some pharaohs, like Tutankhamun and Pepi II, assumed the throne when they were children. Tutankhamun, for instance, became pharaoh around the age of nine.
Female Pharaohs: Though rare, there were female pharaohs like Hatshepsut and Cleopatra. Hatshepsut often portrayed herself with male attributes, including a beard, in sculptures and statues to legitimize her reign.
Longest Reign: Pepi II, who began his rule at a very young age, is often cited as the pharaoh with the longest reign, possibly up to 94 years.
Nemes Headdress: The iconic striped headcloth, known as the Nemes headdress, was exclusive to pharaohs. The famous golden mask of Tutankhamun features this headdress.
Beard Significance: Pharaohs often wore false beards called “osird” during rituals. These beards were symbolic of godliness and were worn regardless of age or gender.
Building Legacy: Many pharaohs constructed grand monuments, temples, and pyramids to honor the gods and ensure their own legacy. The pyramids of Giza built during the Fourth Dynasty are among the most famous.
Warrior Pharaohs: Pharaohs like Ramesses II and Thutmose III were renowned for their military prowess and significant battles, expanding Egypt’s territories and influence.
Unique Burials: Pharaohs were buried with a multitude of treasures, believing these would accompany them in the afterlife. The discovery of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922 provided invaluable insight into this practice.
End of an Era: Cleopatra VII, who reigned from 51-30 BC, was the last active pharaoh of ancient Egypt. After her reign, Egypt became a Roman province.
Pharaoh Nameplates: Pharaohs had five names, and two of them (the nomen and the prenomen) were inscribed inside oval rings called cartouches.
Mummification: Pharaohs underwent an elaborate mummification process to preserve their bodies for the afterlife. This process included the removal of internal organs, drying the body, and wrapping it in linen.
Psamtik I: The First Pharaoh of the Twenty-Sixth Dynasty
Wahibre Psamtik I was the first pharaoh of Egypt’s Twenty-sixth Dynasty, ruling from circa 665 to 610 BC. Installed by the Neo-Assyrian Empire, he later unified Egypt, expanded its influence,...
Kamose: Ruler of the Theban Seventeenth Dynasty
Kamose was the final ruler of the Theban Seventeenth Dynasty at the end of the Second Intermediate Period. His reign, often estimated at three years but sometimes extended to five...
Pharaoh Shoshenq II
Shoshenq II was a pharaoh of the Twenty-second Dynasty of Egypt, notable for being the only ruler of this dynasty whose tomb was discovered intact. Summary Heqakheperre Shoshenq II, also...
Ramesses III
Ramesses III, officially known as Usermaatre Meryamun Ramesses-Heqaiunu, was the second Pharaoh of the Twentieth Dynasty of Egypt. Scholars estimate that he reigned from around 1185 to 1155 BC, making...
Pharaoh Neferkare II
Neferkare II was a little-known pharaoh of ancient Egypt who ruled during the tumultuous early First Intermediate Period (c. 2181–2055 BC). As a ruler of the Eighth Dynasty, he would...
Amenhotep II
Amenhotep II was the seventh pharaoh of Egypt’s Eighteenth Dynasty, ruling from approximately 1427 to 1401 BC. He inherited a powerful kingdom from his father, Thutmose III. Early Life and...
Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Menkare
Menkare was a king of the Eighth Dynasty, ruling briefly around 2200 BC during the transition between the Old Kingdom and the First Intermediate Period. Summary Menkare was a little-known...
Pepi II Neferkare
Pepi II Neferkare was a pharaoh of Egypt’s Sixth Dynasty, ascending the throne at age six and ruling during the Old Kingdom’s decline. Early Life and Ascension to the Throne...
Netjerkare Siptah
Netjerkare Siptah, also known as Neitiqerty Siptah, was an ancient Egyptian king who reigned in the late 23rd century BC. He is traditionally considered the seventh and final ruler of...
Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs
The term “Pharaoh” refers to the rulers of ancient Egypt, reigning from the First Dynasty around 3150 BCE until Egypt’s annexation by the Roman Republic in 30 BCE. While the...
Pharaoh Merenre Nemtyemsaf I
Merenre Nemtyemsaf I, meaning “Beloved of Ra, Nemty is his protection,” was the fourth pharaoh of Egypt’s Sixth Dynasty, ruling circa 2279 BCE during the Old Kingdom‘s waning years. As...
Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Sanakht
Sanakht, also referred to as Hor-Sanakht, was a pharaoh during Egypt’s Third Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. His reign, position within the dynasty, and identity have been subjects of significant...
Sekhemkhet: Pharaoh of the Third Dynasty of Egypt
Sekhemkhet, also known as Sechemchet, was a pharaoh of the 3rd Dynasty during Egypt’s Old Kingdom, reigning from approximately 2648 BC to 2640 BC. His rule, while brief, left an...
Wadjenes: Pharaoh of the 2nd Dynasty
Wadjenes, also rendered as Wadj-nes, Wadjlas, Ougotlas, or Tlas, was a lesser-known king who likely reigned during Egypt’s 2nd Dynasty. His name, meaning “fresh of tongue,” suggests symbolic or ceremonial...
