What is the Abydos King List?
The Abydos King List, also referred to as the Abydos Table, is a crucial artifact in the study of ancient Egyptian history. Found in the Temple of Seti I at Abydos, Egypt, it contains the names of 76 kings and provides significant insights into the chronology and legitimacy of pharaonic rule. This artifact, a ceremonial inscription, is one of the most valuable primary sources for understanding the sequence of Egyptian rulers.
In the article below, World History Edu explores the origin story of the Abydos King List, including highlighting the political and cultural priorities of the period in which it was created.
Structure and Composition
The Abydos King List consists of three rows of cartouches, each row containing 38 names. A cartouche is an oval enclosure that contains the name of a king, symbolizing the divine protection afforded to the pharaoh.
The third row of cartouches repeats Seti I’s throne name and nomen, emphasizing his authority and connection to past rulers.
While the top two rows document the names of various kings, the third row repeats Seti I‘s throne name and nomen (personal name). The format reinforces its role as a celebratory and propagandistic record rather than a purely historical account.
The Abydos King List displaying cartouches of ancient pharaohs.
First Row: Old Kingdom and Earlier Dynasties
The first row primarily records rulers from Egypt’s early dynastic and Old Kingdom periods. This includes kings from the First through the Sixth Dynasties, a time marked by Egypt’s initial unification and the construction of monumental architecture like the pyramids.
Second Row: Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom Dynasties
The second row transitions to the Middle Kingdom, covering notable rulers of the Eleventh and Twelfth Dynasties, and then to the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Dynasties. These rulers represent periods of strong central authority, military expansion, and cultural flourishing.
Third Row: Propagation of Seti I’s Reign
Unlike the first two rows, the third exclusively repeats Seti I’s royal titles. This repetition serves as a political assertion of his legitimacy and continuity within the pharaonic lineage.
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Historical Importance
The Abydos King List provides a near-continuous chronological record, offering insight into the political landscape of ancient Egypt. It is especially valued for documenting kings from the Old Kingdom and the rarely mentioned Seventh and Eighth Dynasties. These periods, often sparsely recorded elsewhere, find representation on the list, making it a vital resource for Egyptologists.
A close view the of the cartouches of the Abydos King List.
Omissions and Their Significance
Although extensive, the Abydos King List is selective, excluding numerous rulers for various reasons. These omissions provide a window into the sociopolitical and religious values of Seti I’s reign.
Excluded Dynasties
Kings of the Ninth, Tenth, Thirteenth, and Fifteenth Dynasties are absent from the list. Many of these rulers, particularly from the Second Intermediate Period, lacked full control over Egypt or were foreign rulers, such as the Hyksos, who were likely viewed as illegitimate by native Egyptians.
Amarna Period Rulers
Pharaohs of the Amarna Period, including Akhenaten, Smenkhkare, Tutankhamun, and Ay, were deliberately excluded. Their removal reflects a policy of damnatio memoriae—the systematic erasure of their memory—due to their association with religious reforms that destabilized traditional beliefs. Horemheb, the ruler who reestablished traditional practices and selected Seti I’s father, Ramesses I, as his successor, played a pivotal role in discrediting the Amarna rulers.
Female Pharaohs
Sobekneferu and Hatshepsut, two prominent female rulers, are conspicuously absent. Their exclusion likely stems from their gender, as female rulership was seen as an anomaly in the patriarchal structure of ancient Egypt. Their reigns, although significant, were not incorporated into this narrative of male-dominated continuity.
Mentuhotep IV and Political Uncertainties
Mentuhotep IV, the last ruler of the Eleventh Dynasty, is omitted, possibly due to his overthrow by his vizier, Amenemhat I, founder of the Twelfth Dynasty. His brief and poorly documented reign may have been intentionally disregarded or simply forgotten by Seti I’s scribes.
Depiction of Mentuhotep IV with the god Min.
READ MORE: 8 Greatest Female Rulers of Ancient Egypt
Cross-Referencing Other Sources
The Abydos King List aligns with other ancient Egyptian records, such as the Turin King List and the Palermo Stone, but it also offers unique insights. While the Turin King List includes more comprehensive data, such as reign lengths, the Abydos List stands out for its ceremonial and propagandistic intent.
Comparisons with the Turin King List
Many names on the Abydos List are identical to those in the Turin King List, reinforcing its reliability. However, the Turin List contains additional details and even some rulers omitted from the Abydos List, highlighting differing priorities in recording history.
Turin King List
Archaeological Corroboration
Artifacts and inscriptions from tombs, temples, and stelae further validate the Abydos King List. For example, cartouches of pharaohs like Menes (Narmer) and Sneferu match depictions found in early royal tombs, emphasizing the accuracy of Seti I’s inscriptions in recounting Egypt’s foundational rulers.
Dynastic Breakdown of the Abydos King List
The king list systematically orders rulers from various dynasties, emphasizing continuity while subtly omitting contentious periods. Below is a summarized breakdown of the dynasties represented:
Early Dynastic Period (First and Second Dynasties)
The list begins with Menes (Narmer), traditionally credited with unifying Egypt. Subsequent names, such as Hor-Aha, Djer, and Qa’a, reflect the consolidation of early Egyptian society.
Old Kingdom (Third to Sixth Dynasties)
Prominent pharaohs of the pyramid-building era, such as Djoser (builder of the Step Pyramid) and Sneferu (pioneer of true pyramids), appear prominently. The inclusion of Khufu, builder of the Great Pyramid, highlights this era’s architectural achievements.
Seti I and his son Ramesses II honor 75 ancestors with offerings to Ptah-Seker-Osiris.
Middle Kingdom (Eleventh and Twelfth Dynasties)
Rulers like Mentuhotep II, who reunited Egypt after the First Intermediate Period, are included, signifying the importance of restoring centralized governance. The list also features Amenemhat I and his successors, whose reigns marked a golden age of stability and prosperity.
New Kingdom (Eighteenth and Nineteenth Dynasties)
Pharaohs such as Ahmose I, who expelled the Hyksos, and Thutmose III, a military genius, are recorded. The inclusion of Seti I’s immediate predecessors, including his father, Ramesses I, solidifies his claim to the throne.
READ ALSO: 9 Famous Middle Kingdom Pharaohs
Purpose and Propaganda
The Abydos King List was more than a historical document—it was a statement of political legitimacy. By presenting an unbroken lineage of rulers, Seti I emphasized his role as the rightful inheritor of Egypt’s divine kingship. The selective omissions reinforced his agenda by excluding rulers considered illegitimate or controversial.
The list is located in Seti I’s mortuary temple, a sacred space dedicated to his cult and the worship of Osiris, god of the afterlife. Its placement underscores its ritual function, linking Seti I’s rule with the divine order.
By prominently featuring revered figures like Menes, Djoser, and Sneferu, the list glorified Egypt’s storied past. The omission of the Hyksos and Amarna rulers further reinforced traditional values, aligning with Seti I’s restoration policies.
Modern Study and Interpretation
The Abydos King List has been extensively studied by Egyptologists, providing invaluable insights into ancient chronology and royal succession. Its discovery has shed light on gaps in Egyptian history, particularly the elusive Seventh and Eighth Dynasties.
Some names on the list differ slightly from other sources, such as the Turin King List, due to variations in transcription and translation over millennia. Scholars also debate the reasons behind certain omissions, balancing political, religious, and historical considerations.
The list has enabled archaeologists to construct a more cohesive timeline of ancient Egypt. By comparing it with other records and archaeological evidence, researchers have filled in critical gaps and clarified periods of uncertainty.
Questions and Answers
Why is the Abydos King List significant?
It provides the order of Old Kingdom kings and is the only source for many rulers from the Seventh and Eighth Dynasties.
What information is missing from the Abydos King List?
It excludes rulers perceived as illegitimate, such as those from the Ninth, Tenth, and Second Intermediate Periods, the Amarna Period, and female rulers like Sobekneferu and Hatshepsut.
Why were some pharaohs from the Amarna Period omitted?
Their exclusion reflects political propaganda or damnatio memoriae, rejecting the controversial Amarna legacy under state policy.
What dynasties are predominantly represented on the list?
The First to Sixth Dynasties, with additional rulers from the Eleventh, Twelfth, Eighteenth, and early Nineteenth Dynasties.
How does the Abydos King List relate to other sources like the Turin King List?
It shares names with the Turin King List but sometimes provides unique entries, making it valuable for cross-referencing Egypt’s history.
Why might Mentuhotep IV be absent from the list?
His reign was brief and poorly documented, and his overthrow by Amenemhat I may have led to his exclusion.
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