List of pharaohs

Pharaohs of Egypt
Former Monarchy
The Pschent combined the Red Crown of Lower Egypt and the White Crown of Upper Egypt.
A typical depiction of a pharaoh.
First monarch	Narmer (a.k.a. Menes)
Last monarch	Nectanebo II (last native) Cleopatra & Caesarion (last actual)
Style	Five-name titulary
Official residence	Varies by era
Appointer	Divine right (often via primogeniture)
Monarchy started	c. 3100 BC
Monarchy ended	343 BC (last native pharaoh) 30 BC (last Greek pharaohs)

This is a list of the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt. It starts in the Early Dynastic Period, before 3100 BC. It ends with the Ptolemaic Dynasty, when Egypt became a province of Rome under Augustus in 30 BC.

The dates given are approximate. The list of pharaohs uses the dates of Ancient Egypt, developed by the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology.

Old lists of pharaohs

There are old lists of pharaohs which have been discovered. These are not complete:

• Palermo Stone
• Turin King List
• Manetho's book, Aegyptiaca (History of Egypt)
• Abydos King List
• Karnak Tablet
• South Saqqara Stone (discovered 1923, includes the Sixth Dynasty kings)
• Saqqara Tablet (discovered 1861, includes dynasties from 1–12)

Other lists can be found in Herodotus, Diodorus Siculus, and Eratosthenes. Two other lists are not believed to be reliable, these are the work of "the Arabic writers", and the Book of Sothis.

List

In the legendary period, there were eight god kings who ruled over Egypt. The Palermo, Turin and Manetho king lists, have different names for the eight god kings.

Turin King List	Manetho (Greek name)	Function
Ptah	Hephaestus (Ptah)	Craftsmen & Creation
Ra	Helios (Apollo)	Sun
Shu	Aelos or Agathosdaimon (perhaps Sothis?) (Shu)	Air
Geb	Gaia (Demeter)	Earth
Osiris	Hades	Afterlife
Seth	Typhon (Set)	Chaos
Horus	Ares	War
Thoth	Athena	Knowledge
Ma'at		Order

The god kings were followed by kings who were part god and part human. The old lists are different in naming these rulers.

Turin King List	Length	Manetho	Length
Second dynasty of gods	unknown	Dynasty of Halfgods	unknown
Three Achu-Dynasties	unknown	30 Kings from Memphis	1790 years
Dynasty of Disciples of Horus	unknown	10 Kings from Thinis	350 years

Archaic period

The Archaic period includes the Early Dynastic Period, when Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt were ruled as separate kingdoms.

Early Dynastic: Lower Egypt

Lower Egypt was the northern Nile and the Nile Delta. The list may not be complete:

Name	Comments	Dates
Hsekiu	Only listed on the Palermo Stone	?
Khayu	Only listed on the Palermo Stone	?
Tiu	Only listed on the Palermo Stone	?
Thesh	Only listed on the Palermo Stone	?
Neheb	Only listed on the Palermo Stone	?
Wazner	Only listed on the Palermo Stone	c. 3100 BC?
Mekh	Only listed on the Palermo Stone	?
(destroyed)	Only listed on the Palermo Stone	?
Double Falcon	Also known through finds from Sinai and Lower Egypt	c. 3200 BC?

Early Dynastic: Upper Egypt

Upper Egypt was the Nile Valley, south of the Delta. The following list may not be complete (there are many more of uncertain existence):

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Scorpion I		Oldest tomb at Umm el-Qa'ab had scorpion symbol	c. 3200 BC?
Iry-Hor		Possibly the immediate predecessor of Ka.	c. 3150 BC?
Ka		Maybe read Sekhen rather than Ka. Possibly the immediate predecessor of Narmer.	c. 3100 BC
King Scorpion		Possibly could read Serqet; maybe the same person as Narmer.	c. 3150 BC
Narmer		The king who combined Upper and Lower Egypt.	c. 3150 BC

First Dynasty

The First Dynasty ruled from about 3150 to 2890 BC.

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Narmer		Believed to be the same person as Menes and to have unified Upper and Lower Egypt.	c. 3150 BC
Hor-Aha		—	c. 3050 BC
Djer		—	41 years
Djet		—	10 years
Merneith		Female Regent for Den, may have ruled as pharaoh in her own right	—
Den		First pharaoh shown wearing the double crown of Egypt, first pharaoh with a golden Horus name.	42 years
Anedjib		—	10 years
Semerkhet		—	9 years
Qa'a		—	2916?–2890 BC

In the interregnum between the first and second dynasties, two short lived pharaohs may have reigned :

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Sneferka		Very short reign	c. 2900 BC
Horus Bird		Very short reign	c. 2900 BC

Second Dynasty

The Second Dynasty ruled c. 2890–2686 BC.

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Hotepsekhemwy		—	25–29 years
Raneb		Name may be read Nebra rather than Raneb. Could be the same person as Weneg.	10–14 years
Nynetjer		May have divided Egypt between his successors	43–45 years
Weneg		Could be an independent ruler or the same as Sekhemib-Perenmaat or Raneb
Senedj		Possibly the same person as Seth Peribsen
Seth-Peribsen		May have reigned over Upper Egypt only, could be the same person as Senedj or Sekhemib-Perenmaat.
Sekhemib-Perenmaat		May have reigned over Upper Egypt only, could be the same person as Seth-Peribsen.
Khasekhem(wy)		Reunified Egypt after a period of troubles ca. 2690 BC	17–18 years

Old Kingdom

The Old Kingdom was a peak of civilisation and achievement. This was the first of three so-called "Kingdom" periods which mark the high points of civilization in the Nile Valley. It began when Egypt was ruled by the Third Dynasty through the Sixth Dynasty (2686–2181 BC). Many Egyptologists also include the Memphite Seventh and Eighth Dynasties in the Old Kingdom. The Old Kingdom was followed by a period of disunity called the First Intermediate Period, or as the Egyptians called it, the "first illness."

The royal capital of Egypt during the Old Kingdom was at Memphis. This is where Djoser set up his court. The Old Kingdom is known for the large number of pyramids. These were built as tombs for the pharoahs. The Old Kingdom is called "the Age of the Pyramids".

Third Dynasty

The Third Dynasty ruled from 2686 to 2613 BC.

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Djoser		Ordered the first pyramid in Egypt, known as The Step Pyramid. Built by the chief architect and scribe, Imhotep	19 or 28 years ca. 2670 BC; Radiocarbon dates start reign between 2691 and 2625
Sekhemkhet		Imhotep helped build his unfinished step pyramid	2649–2643
Sanakhte		Could be the same as Nebka	c. 2650
Khaba		Built an unfinished step pyramid	2643–2637
Huni		Could be the same as Qahedjet, may have started the Meidum pyramid	2637–2613

Fourth Dynasty

The Fourth Dynasty ruled from 2613 to 2498 BC. It included the pharaohs who had the Great Pyramids built, Khufu (Cheops), Khafra (Chephren) and Menkaura (Mycerinus).

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Sneferu		Built the Meidum Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid (341 ft/103m from the base to the tip). The Bent Pyramid has normal angles at the bottom but changes at the top. He also built the first "true" pyramid, the Red Pyramid. Some say that he was buried in the Red Pyramid, while others say that he was buried in the Bent Pyramid. Bones have been found at the Red Pyramid, but there is no evidence that this is Sneferu's body.	2613–2589 BC
Khufu		Greek form: Cheops. Built the great pyramid of Giza. In some early sources, Khufu is listed as the "third" of his family to rule, but there is no known record of a pharaoh between Sneferu and Khufu. It is possible that there might have been a short reign of some elder brother of Khufu, whose inscriptions, names, and monuments have gone for one reason or another.	2589–2566 BC
Djedefra (Radjedef)		Believed to have created the Great Sphinx of Giza as a monument to his father. He also created a pyramid at Abu Rawash. The stones from this pyramid were reused by the Romans. The pyramid may have been the highest ever built, about 20 meters taller than the Great Pyramid of Giza, because of its elevated location rather than the size from base to tip.	2566–2558 BC
Khafre		Greek form: Chephren His pyramid is the second largest in Giza. Some Egyptologists say he was the builder of the Great Sphinx of Giza.	2558–2532 BC
—	–	Here some sources have Bikheris, following Manetho	—
Menkaura		Greek form: Mycerinus. His pyramid is the third and smallest in Giza.	2532–2503 BC
Shepseskaf		Did not build a pyramid and instead had the Mastabat el-Fara'un made for himself	2503–2498 BC
Djedefptah	–	Here some sources put Djedefptah also known as Thampthis, following Manetho	—

Fifth Dynasty

The Fifth Dynasty ruled from 2498 to 2345 BC.

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Userkaf		Buried in a pyramid in Saqqara. Built the first solar temple at Abusir.	2498–2491 BC
Sahure		Moved the royal necropolis to Abusir, where he built his pyramid.	2490–2477 BC
Neferirkare Kakai		—	2477–2467 BC
Shepseskare		Reigned most likely after Neferefre and for only a few months.	2467–2460 BC
Neferefre		—	2460–2458 BC
Nyuserre Ini		—	2445–2422 BC
Menkauhor Kaiu		—	2422–2414 BC
Djedkare Isesi		—	2414–2375 BC
Unas		His pyramid is inscribed with the earliest known pyramid texts	2375–2345 BC

Sixth Dynasty

The Sixth Dynasty ruled from 2345 to 2181 BC.

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Teti		Was possibly murdered by Userkare	2345–2333 BC
Userkare		Reigned one to five years, may have murdered Teti to get the throne.	2333–2332 BC
Meryre Pepi I		—	2332–2283 BC
Merenre Nemtyemsaf I		—	2283–2278 BC
Neferkare Pepi II		Possibly the longest reigning monarch of human history with 94 years on the throne. Alternatively, it may "only" been 64 years.	2278–2184 BC
Neferka		Only mentioned in the Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt. Ruled at the same time as Pepi II; was possibly his son or co-ruler.	2200–2199 BC
Merenre Nemtyemsaf II		Short lived pharaoh, possibly an aged son of Pepi II.	1 year and 1 month c. 2184 BC
Neitiqerty Siptah		Identical with Netjerkare. This male king gave rise to the legendary queen Nitocris of Herodotus and Manetho. Sometimes listed as the first king of the combined 7th/8th Dynasties.	Short reign: c. 2184 BC - 2181 BC

First Intermediate Period

The First Intermediate Period (2181–2060 BC) is between the end of the Old Kingdom and the start of the Middle Kingdom.

The Old Kingdom rapidly collapsed after the death of Pepi II. He had reigned for 94 years, longer than any monarch in history, and died aged 100. The latter years of his reign were marked by inefficiency because of his advanced age.

The Union of the Two Kingdoms fell apart and regional leaders had to cope with the resulting famine.

Around 2160 BC, a new line of pharaohs tried to reunite Lower Egypt from their capital in Herakleopolis Magna. Another line of pharaohs at Thebes was reuniting Upper Egypt and a clash between the two rival dynasties was inevitable.

Around 2055 BC, Mentuhotep II, the son and successor of pharaoh Intef III defeated the Herakleopolitan pharaohs and reunited the Two Lands. This was the start of the Middle Kingdom.

Seventh and Eighth Dynasties (combined)

The Seventh and Eighth Dynasties ruled from c. 2181 to c. 2160 BC. Many of the kings only ruled for a short time from Memphis, with Egypt divided into competing regions. This table is based on the Abydos King List dating to the reign of Seti I, and the Turin canon.

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Menkare
Neferkare II
Neferkare (III) Neby		Known by texts in the tomb of his mother Ankhesenpepi. He started building a pyramid in Saqqara.
Djedkare Shemai
Neferkare (IV) Khendu
Merenhor		Some authorities place Merenhor here
Neferkamin
Nikare		Possibly proved by a cylinder-seal.
Neferkare (V) Tereru
Neferkahor		Proved by a cylinder seal.
Neferkare (VI) Pepiseneb
Neferkamin Anu
Qakare Ibi		Built a pyramid at Saqqara. with the last known Pyramid Texts	2169–2167 BC
Neferkaure		His name is found at the temple of Min at Coptos.	2167–2163 BC
Neferkauhor Khuwihapi		His name is found in the temple of Min and text in the tomb of Shemay.	2163–2161 BC
Neferirkare		He could be horus Demedjibtawy, where his name is found in the temple of Min.	2161–2160 BC

Ninth Dynasty

The Ninth Dynasty ruled from 2160 to 2130 BC. The Turin King List has 18 kings in the Ninth and Tenth Dynasties. Of these, twelve names are missing and four are not complete.

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Meryibre Khety I (Acthoes I)		Manetho wrote that Achthoes was the first pharoah in this dynasty.	2160–?
—		-	?
Neferkare VII		-	?
Nebkaure Khety II (Acthoes II)		-	?
Senenh— or Setut		-	?
—		-	?
Mery—		-	?
Shed—		-	?
H—		-	?

Tenth Dynasty

The Tenth Dynasty was a local group that ruled over Lower Egypt from 2130 to 2040 BC.

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Meryhathor		—	2130–?
Neferkare VIII		—	?
Wahkare Khety (Acthoes III)		—	?
Merykare		—	?–2040

Eleventh Dynasty

The Eleventh Dynasty was a local group from Upper Egypt that ruled from 2134 to 1991 BC. The 11th dynasty came from a group of Theban nomarchs who served the kings of the 8th, 9th or 10th dynasty.

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Intef the Elder		Theban nomarch, who served an unnamed king, now said to be first king of the 11th Dynasty.	—

The successors of Intef the Elder, starting with Mentuhotep I, eventually conquered Egypt under Mentuhotep II.

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Mentuhotep I		A Theban nomarch but may have ruled independently.	?–2134 BC
Intef I		First member of the dynasty to claim a Horus name.	2134–2117 BC
Intef II		Conquered Abydos and its nome.	2117–2069 BC
Intef III		Conquered Asyut and possibly moved further north up to the 17th nome.	2069–2060 BC

Middle Kingdom

The Middle Kingdom (2060–1802 BC) started at the end of the First Intermediate Period to the beginning of the Second Intermediate Period. Some scholars include the Eleventh, Thirteenth and Fourteenth Dynasties in the Middle Kingdom. The Middle Kingdom began to trade outside of the kingdom. This opening of trade led to the downfall of the Middle Kingdom, caused by an invasion from the Hyksos.

Eleventh Dynasty continued

The second part of the Eleventh Dynasty is considered to be part of the Middle Kingdom of Egypt.

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Mentuhotep II		Gained all Egypt about 2015 BC, Middle Kingdom begins.	2060–2010 BC
Mentuhotep III		Commanded the first expedition to Punt of the Middle Kingdom	2010–1998 BC
Mentuhotep IV		Little known pharaoh not found on later king lists; tomb unknown. May have been overthrown by his vizier and successor Amenemhat I.	1997–1991 BC

Twelfth Dynasty

The Twelfth Dynasty ruled from 1991 to 1802 BC. It is considered by later Egyptians to have been their greatest dynasty.

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Amenemhat I		Seized power after overthrowing Mentuhotep IV, and was later murdered.	1991–1962 BC
Senusret I (Sesostris I)		Built the White Chapel	1971–1926 BC
Amenemhat II		—	1929–1895 BC
Senusret II (Sesostris II)		—	1897–1878 BC
Senusret III (Sesostris III)		Most powerful of the Middle Kingdom pharaohs.	1878–1860 BC
Amenemhat III		—	1860–1815 BC
Amenemhat IV		Had a co-regency lasting at least one year based on a text found at Konosso.	1815–1807 BC
Sobekneferu		A rare female ruler.	1807–1802 BC

Second Intermediate Period

The Second Intermediate Period (1802–1550 BC) was a time of chaos between the end of the Middle Kingdom, and the start of the New Kingdom. During this time, the Hyksos, who later became the Fifteenth Dynasty, arrived in Egypt.

The Thirteenth Dynasty was much weaker than the Twelfth Dynasty, and was unable to hold onto the two lands of Egypt. Either at the start of the dynasty, c. 1805 BC or toward the middle of it in c. 1710 BC, the ruling family in Xois, located in the marshes of the eastern Delta, broke away from the central authority to form the Canaanite Fourteenth Dynasty.

The Hyksos made their first appearance during the reign of Sobekhotep IV. About 1720 BC they took control of the town of Avaris (the modern Tell el-Dab'a/Khata'na), conquering the kingdom of the 14th dynasty. About 1650 BC the Hyksos, perhaps led by Salitis the founder of the Fifteenth Dynasty, conquered Memphis, which ended the 13th dynasty. When the 13th dynasty collapsed, the 16th dynasty to declared its independence in Thebes. It was soon taken over by the Hyksos kings..

When the Hyksos left Upper Egypt, the Egyptian ruling house in Thebes set itself up as the Seventeenth Dynasty. This dynasty under Seqenenre Tao, Kamose and Ahmose, first pharaoh of the New Kingdom, forced the Hyksos out of Egypt and back into Asia

Thirteenth Dynasty

The Thirteenth Dynasty (following the Turin King List) ruled from 1802 to around 1649 BC. Manetho said it lasted for about 154 years.

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Sekhemre Khutawy Sobekhotep		Started the 13th Dynasty. There is a lot of evidence to prove his reign. He is now known as Sobekhotep I, but as Sobekhotep II in older studies	1802–1800 BC
Sonbef		Perhaps a brother of Sekhemre Khutawy Sobekhotep and son of Amenemhat IV	1800 BC - 1796 BC
Nerikare			1796 BC
Sekhemkare		Ruled for about four years	1796–1793 BC
Ameny Qemau		Buried in his pyramid in south Dashur	1795–1792 BC
Hotepibre		Also called Sehotepibre	1792–1790 BC
Iufni		Only named on the Turin list.	Very short reign, possibly c. 1790 – 1788 BC
Amenemhet VI		—	1788–1785 BC
Semenkare Nebnuni		—	1785–1783 BC or 1739 BC
Sehetepibre		—	1783–1781 BC
Sewadjkare		Known only from the Turin list
Nedjemibre		Known only from the Turin list	7 months, 1780 BC or 1736 BC
Khaankhre Sobekhotep		Now known as Sobekhotep II, but as Sobekhotep I in older studies	Reigned c. 3 years, 1780–1777 BC
Renseneb		Ruled for four months	1777 BC
Awybre Hor I		Famous for his intact tomb treasure and Ka statue	Reigned 1 year and 6 months, 1777–1775 BC
Sekhemrekhutawy Khabaw		Possibly a son of Hor Awibre	Estimated reign 3 years, 1775–1772 BC
Djedkheperew		Possibly a son of Hor Awibre and brother of Khabaw, previously identified with Khendjer	Estimated reign 2 years, 1772–1770 BC
Sebkay		Possibly two kings, Seb and his son Kay.
Sedjefakare		A well known king listed on numerous stelas and other documents.	5 to 7 years or 3 years, 1769–1766 BC
Wegaf		Founder of the dynasty in old studies	c. 1767 BC
Khendjer		Possibly the first semitic pharaoh, built a pyramid at Saqqara	Minimum 4 years and 3 months c. 1765 BC
Imyremeshaw		Known by two colossal statues	Reigned less than 10 years, starting 1759 BC or 1711 BC.
Sehetepkare Intef IV		—	?
Seth Meribre		—	?
Sobekhotep III		Ruled for four years and two months	c. 1755–1751 BC
Neferhotep I		Ruled for 11 years	1751–1740 BC
Sihathor		Perhaps a ruled with with his brother Neferhotep I	1739 BC
Sobekhotep IV		Ruled for 10 or 11 years	1740–1730 BC
Merhotepre Sobekhotep V		—	c. 1730 BC
Khahotepre Sobekhotep VI		Ruled for 4 years 8 months and 29 days	c. 1725 BC
Wahibre Ibiau		Ruled for 10 years and 8 months	1725–1714 BC or 1712–1701 BC
Merneferre Ay I		Longest reigning king of the dynasty	23 years, 8 months and 18 days, 1701–1677 BC or 1714–1691 BC
Merhotepre Ini		Possibly a son of his predecessor	2 Years 3 or 4 Months and 9 days, 1677–1675 BC or 1691–1689 BC
Sankhenre Sewadjtu		Only known from the Turinlist	3 years and 2–4 months, 1675–1672 BC
Mersekhemre Ined		May be the same person as Neferhotep II	3 years, 1672–1669 BC
Sewadjkare Hori		Ruled for five years	?
Merkawre Sobekhotep VII		Ruled for 2 years and 6 months	1664–1663 BC
Seven kings		Names lost in a lacuna of the Turin canon	1663 BC –?
Mer[...]re		—	?
Merkheperre		—	Some time between 1663 BC and 1649 BC
Merkare		—	Some time between 1663 BC and 1649 BC
Name lost		—	?
Sewadjare Mentuhotep V		—	c. 1655 BC
[...]mosre		—	?
Ibi [...]maatre		—	?
Hor[...] [...]webenre		—	?
Se...kare		?	?
Seheqenre Sankhptahi		May be the son of his predecessor	?
...re		?	?
Se...enre		?	?–1649 BC

The position of the following kings is uncertain:

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Dedumose I		Possibly a king of the 16th dynasty	c. 1654
Dedumose II		Possibly a king of the 16th dynasty	?
Sewahenre Senebmiu		Late 13th dynasty.	After 1660 BC.
Snaaib		Possibly a king of the Abydos Dynasty	?

Fourteenth Dynasty

The Fourteenth Dynasty was a local group from the eastern Delta, based at Avaris. They ruled from either from 1805 BC or c. 1710 BC until around 1650 BC. The dynasty had many rulers with West Semitic names and is believed to have been Canaanite in origin.

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Yakbim Sekhaenre		Dates uncertain	1805–1780 BC
Ya'ammu Nubwoserre		Dates uncertain	1780–1770 BC
Qareh Khawoserre		Dates uncertain	1770–1760 BC
'Ammu Ahotepre		Dates uncertain	1760–1745 BC
Sheshi		Dates uncertain	1745–1705 BC
Nehesy		Short reign, perhaps a son of Sheshi	c. 1705
Khakherewre		-	?
Nebefawre		-	c. 1704
Sehebre		Maybe Wazad or Sheneh	-
Merdjefare		Maybe Wazad or Sheneh	c. 1699
Sewadjkare III		-	?
Nebdjefare		-	c. 1694
Webenre		-	?
—		-	?
Djefare?		-	?
Webenre			c. 1690
Sekheperenre		Name known from a single scarab seal	Ruled for two months, some time between 1690 BC and 1649 BC
Anati Djedkare		Only known from the Turin list
Bebnum		Only known from the Turin list
'Apepi		Listed as a king's son on five scarabs-seals

The position and identity of the following pharaohs is uncertain:

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Nuya		Name known from a scarab-seal
Wazad		May be identifiable with Sehebre or Merdjefare	c. 1700 BC ?
Sheneh		Maybe Sehebre or Merdjefare
Shenshek		Name known from a scarab-seal
Khamure
Yakareb
Yaqub-Har		May belong to the 14th dynasty, the 15th dynasty or be a vassal of the Hyksos.	17th–16th centuries BCE

The Turin King List has extra names, but no other evidence has been found.

Fifteenth Dynasty

The Fifteenth Dynasty was started by the Hyksos people who emerged from the Fertile Crescent. They ruled over much of the Nile region, from 1674 to 1535 BC.

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Semqen		Chronological position uncertain.	1649 BC – ?
Aperanat		Chronological position uncertain.
Sakir-Har		-	?
Khyan		Conquered Thebes toward the end of his reign	30–40 years
Apepi		-	Ruled for 40 years or more
Khamudi		-	1555–1544

Abydos Dynasty

The Second Intermediate Period may include an independent dynasty reigning over Abydos from c. 1650 BC until 1600 BC. There are four known kings in the Abydos Dynasty, the order in which they ruled is unknown:

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Wepwawetemsaf		May belong to the late 16th Dynasty
Pantjeny		May belong to the late 16th Dynasty
Snaaib		May belong to the late 13th Dynasty.
Senebkay		Tomb discovered in 2014. He maybe Woser[...]re of the Turin list.

Sixteenth Dynasty

The Sixteenth Dynasty was a native Theban dynasty. It began during the collapse of the Memphis-based 13th dynasty c. 1650 BC and finally conquered by the Hyksos 15th dynasty c. 1580 BC. The 16th dynasty only ruled over Upper-Egypt.

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
—		Name of the first king is lost here in the Turin King List, and cannot be recovered
Djehuti		–	3 years
Sobekhotep VIII		–	16 years
Neferhotep III		–	1 year
Mentuhotepi		May be a king of the 17th Dynasty	Ruled for one year
Nebiryraw I Sewadjenre		–	Ruled for 26 years
Nebiriau II		–
Semenre		–
Bebiankh		–	Ruled for 12 years
Dedumose I		May be a king of the 13th Dynasty
Dedumose II		–
Montuemsaf		–
Merankhre Mentuhotep VI		–
Senusret IV		–
Sekhemre Shedwast		–

The 16th Dynasty may have included the pharaohs Sneferankhre Pepi III and Nebmaatre. Their chronological position is uncertain.

Seventeenth Dynasty

The Seventeenth Dynasty was based in Upper Egypt and ruled from 1650 to 1550 BC:

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Rahotep		-	c. 1620 BC
Sobekemsaf I		Ruled at least seven years	-
Sobekemsaf II		His tomb was robbed and burned during the rule of Ramesses IX	-
Sekhemre-Wepmaat Intef V		-	-
Nubkheperre Intef VI		Ruled more than three years	-
Sekhemre-Heruhirmaat Intef VII		-	-
Senakhtenre Ahmose	-	Name found on a gateway at Karnak in 2012.	c. 1558 BC
Seqenenre Tao		Died in battle against the Hyksos.	1558–1554 BC
Kamose			1554–1549 BC

The early 17th Dynasty may also have included Nebmaatre, whose dates are uncertain.

New Kingdom

The New Kingdom (1550–1077 BC) includes the Eighteenth, Nineteenth, and Twentieth dynasty of Egypt, from the 16th to the 11th century BC. It is between the Second Intermediate Period and the Third Intermediate Period.

During the New Kingdom, Egypt's armies were able to capture nearby countries. Egypt controlled Nubia in the south, and held territories in the Near East. Egyptian armies fought with Hittite armies for control of modern-day Syria. During the New Kingdom, Egypt controlled more territory than at any other time in its history.

Two of the best known pharaohs of the New Kingdom are Akhenaten and Ramesses II. Akhenaten, also known as Amenhotep IV, worshipped the god Aten. This is seen as the first monotheistic religion. Ramesses II was a powerful military ruler. He tried to recapture the territories in what is now modern Israel/Palestine, Lebanon and Syria that had been held in the Eighteenth Dynasty. At the Battle of Qadesh he led the Egyptian armies in battle against the Hittite king Muwatalli II.

Eighteenth Dynasty

The Eighteenth Dynasty ruled from c. 1550 to 1292 BC:

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Ahmose I, Ahmosis I		Brother and successor to Kamose, conquered north of Egypt from the Hyksos.	c. 1550–1525 BCE; Radiocarbon dating gives the start of his reign is 1570–1544 BCE.
Amenhotep I		-	1541–1520
Thutmose I		-	1520–1492
Thutmose II		-	1492–1479
Hatshepsut		The second known female ruler. There may have been five other female rulers, but the evidence is uncertain. Recent evidence suggests Hatshepsut died of bone cancer.	1479–1458
Thutmose III		Often called the "Napoleon of Egypt." In his early years, he was controlled by his stepmother, Hatshepsut. After she died, he began expanding Egyptian rule into the Levant.	1479–1425
Amenhotep II		-	1425–1400
Thutmose IV		-	1400–1390
Amenhotep III The Magnificent King		Ruled Egypt at the peak of its power. He had more monuments and statues built than any other pharaoh. His mortuary temple, the largest ever built, was destroyed by Rameses II. Recent DNA testing proved he was the grandfather of Tutankhamun.	1390–1352
Akhenaten or Amenhotep IV		Started a sun based religion called Atenism. His original name means "Amun is pleased."	1352–1334
Smenkhkare		Co-regent and successor of Akhenaten. The identity and sex of this individual is uncertain. Smenkhkare may be a son or son-in-law of Akhenaten, or wife of Akhenaten, Nefertiti. Some historians believe there were two rulers between Akhenaten and Tutankhamun. One is Smenkhkare, who is then seen as male, and a female ruler, Akhenaten's eldest daughter Meritaten	1334–1333
Tutankhamun		Commonly believed to be the son of Akhenaten. He probably brought back the old religion, and his name shows the change from Aten to Amun. He is also known as the boy king.	1333–1324
Ay		Close advisor to two and perhaps three of the pharaohs who ruled before him. He is said to be the power behind the throne during Tutankhamun's reign.	1324–1320
Horemheb		Former General and advisor to Tutankhamun. Destroyed images of the Amarna queens and kings (all except Amenhotep III and Tiye).	1320–1292

Nineteenth Dynasty

The Nineteenth Dynasty ruled from 1292 to 1186 BC and includes one of the greatest pharaohs, Rameses II the Great:

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Ramesses I		-	1292–1290
Seti I		-	1290–1279
Ramesses II the Great		The pharoah associated with Moses; he reached a stalemate with the Hittites at the Battle of Kadesh in 1275 BC, after which a peace treaty was signed in 1258 BC	1279–1213
Merneptah		A stele describing campaigns in Libya and Canaan is the only reference to "Israel" in Ancient Egyptian records.	1213–1203
Amenemses		-	1203–1200
Seti II		-	1203–1197
Siptah		-	1197–1191
Tausret		A female ruler also known as Tawosret. She was probably the wife of Seti II.	1191–1190

Twentieth Dynasty

The Twentieth Dynasty ruled from 1190 to 1077 BC:

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Setnakhte		-	1190–1186
Ramesses III		Fought the Sea Peoples in 1175 BC. Killed in a harem plot.	1186–1155
Ramesses IV		-	1155–1149
Ramesses V		-	1149–1145
Ramesses VI		-	1145–1137
Ramesses VII		-	1137–1130
Ramesses VIII		-	1130–1129
Ramesses IX		-	1129–1111
Ramesses X		-	1111–1107
Ramesses XI		Ended rule sharing power with High Priest of Amun Herihor ruling in the south and Smendes I ruling in the north, a period known as wehem mesut.	1107–1077

Third Intermediate Period

The Third Intermediate Period (1077–732 BC) marked the end of the New Kingdom. After the collapse of the Egyptian empire, some dynasties of Libyan origin ruled Egypt. This is also known as the Libyan Period.

Twenty-First Dynasty

The Twenty-First Dynasty was based at Tanis and was a relatively weak group. They were rulers of all Egypt, but in practice their influence was limited to Lower Egypt. They ruled from 1069 to 943 BC

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Nesbanebdjed I		Also known as Smendes I	1077–1051
Amenemnisu		-	1051–1047
Psusennes I		Also known as the Silver Pharaoh	1047–1001
Amenemope		-	1001–992
Osorkon the Elder		- * (Osochor )	992–986
Siamun		-	986–967
Psusennes II		-	967–943

Twenty-Second Dynasty

The pharaohs of the Twenty-Second Dynasty were Libyans, ruling from around 943 to 728 BC:

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Shoshenq I			943–922
Osorkon I		-	922–887
Shoshenq II		-	887–885
Takelot I		-	885–872
Harsiese A		A rebel ruler, based at Thebes	880–860
Osorkon II		-	872–837
Shoshenq III		-	837–798
Shoshenq IV		-	798–785
Pami		-	785–778
Shoshenq V		-	778–740
Osorkon IV		-	740–720

Twenty-Third Dynasty

The Twenty-Third Dynasty was another Libyan group, based at Herakleopolis and Thebes. They ruled from 837 to c. 735 BC:

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Takelot II		He was once seen as a 22nd Dynasty pharaoh, he is now known to be the founder of the 23rd	837–813
Pedubast I		He was a rebel and seized Thebes from Takelot II	826–801
Iuput I		Co-regent with Pedubast	812–811
Shoshenq VI		Successor to Pedubast	801–795
Osorkon III		Son of Takelot II; recovered Thebes, then made himself king	795–767
Takelot III		Ruled with his father Osorkon III for the first five years.	773–765
Rudamun		Younger son of Osorkon III and brother of Takelot III.	765–762

Rudamun was succeeded in Thebes by a local ruler:

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Ini		Ruled Thebes only	762-?

The Libu

Not really a dynasty, the Libu were another group of western nomads from Libya who controlled the western Delta from 805 to 732 BC.

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Inamunnifnebu			805–795
?		-	795–780
Niumateped		-	780–755
Titaru		-	763–755
Ker		-	755–750
Rudamon		-	750–745
Ankhor		-	745–736
Tefnakht		-	736–732

Twenty-Fourth Dynasty

The Twenty-fourth Dynasty was a short-lived rival dynasty in the western Delta (Sais). There were only two Pharaohs, ruling from 732 to 720 BC.

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Tefnakhte		-	732–725
Bakenrenef		-	725–720

Late period

The Late Period runs from 732 BC to Egypt becoming a province of Rome in 30 BC, and includes periods of rule by Nubians, Persians, and Macedonians.

Twenty-fifth Dynasty

Nubians invaded Lower Egypt and took the throne of Egypt under Piye although they already controlled Thebes and Upper Egypt in the early years of Piye's reign. Piye's conquest of Lower Egypt established the Twenty-fifth Dynasty which ruled until 656 BC.

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Piye		King of Nubia; conquered Egypt in 20th year; ruled for 24 years, or possibly 30+ years	752–721 according to Dan'el Kahn
Shabaka		-	721–707/706 according to Rolf Krauss/David Warburton
Shebitku		-	707/706–690 according to Dan'el Kahn
Taharqa		-	690–664
Tantamani		lost control of Upper Egypt in 656 BC when Psamtik I took over Thebes in that year.	664–653

They were forced from Egypt back into Nubia, where they set up a kingdom at Napata (656–590), and, later, at Meroë (590 BC – 4th century AD).

Twenty-sixth Dynasty

The Twenty-sixth Dynasty ruled from around 672 to 525 BC.

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Necho I		Was killed by an invading Kushite force in 664 BC under Tantamani. Father of Psamtik I.	672 – 664 BC
Psamtik I		Reunified Egypt. Son of Necho I and father of Necho II.	664 – 610 BC
Necho II		Most likely the pharaoh mentioned in several books of the Bible. Son of Psamtik I and father of Psamtik II.	610 – 595 BC
Psamtik II		Son of Necho II and father of Apries.	595 – 589 BC
Wahibre (Apries)		Fled Egypt after Amasis II (who was a general at the time) declared himself pharaoh following a civil war. Son of Psamtik II.	589 – 570 BC
Ahmose II		He was the last great ruler of Egypt before the Persian conquest. Greek historian Herodotus said he was of common origins. Father of Psamtik III.	570 – 526 BC
Psamtik III		Son of Ahmose II. Ruled for about six months before being defeated by the Persians in the Battle of Pelusium and executed.	526 – 525 BC

Twenty-seventh Dynasty

Egypt was conquered by the Persian Empire in 525 BC and ruled by the Persians until 404 BC. The Achaemenid shahs were the pharaohs in this era, forming a "Twenty-seventh" Dynasty:

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Cambyses II		Defeated Psamtik III at the Battle of Pelusium at 525 BC	525 – 521 BC
Petubastis III		A native Egyptian rebel in the Delta	522/21 – 520 BC
Smerdis (Bardiya)		Son of Cyrus the Great	522 – 521 BC
Darius I		-	521 – 486 BC
Xerxes I		-	486 – 465 BC
Artabanus the Hyrcanian		-	465 – 464 BC
Artaxerxes I Longhand		-	464 – 424 BC
Xerxes II		claimant	424 – 423 BC
Sogdianus		claimant	424 – 423 BC
Darius II			424 – 404 BC

Twenty-eighth Dynasty

The Twenty-eighth Dynasty lasted only six years, from 404 to 398 BC, with one Pharaoh:

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Amyrtaeus		Descendant of the Saite pharaohs of the Twenty-sixth Dynasty; led a successful revolt against the Persians.	404 – 398 BC

Twenty-ninth Dynasty

The Twenty-ninth Dynasty ruled from 398 to 380 BC:

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Nefaarud I		Also known as Nepherites. Defeated Amyrtaeus in open battle and had him executed.	398 – 393 BC
Psammuthes		-	393 BC
Hakor		Overthrew his predecessor Psammuthes. Father of Nefaarud II.	393 – 380 BC
Nefaarud II		Was deposed and likely killed by Nectanebo I after ruling for only four months. Son of Hakor.	380 BC

Thirtieth Dynasty

The Thirtieth Dynasty ruled from 380 until Egypt once more came under Persian rule in 343 BC:

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Nectanebo I		Also known as Nekhtnebef. Deposed and likely killed Nefaarud II, starting the last dynasty of native Egyptians. Father of Teos of Egypt.	380 – 362 BC
Teos of Egypt		Ruled with his father Nectanebo I from about 365 BC. Was overthrown by Nectanebo II with the help of Agesilaus II of Sparta.	362 – 360 BC
Senedjemibre Nakhthorhebyt (Nectanebo II)		Last native ruler of ancient Egypt	360 – 343 BC

Thirty-first Dynasty

Egypt again came under the control of the Achaemenid Persians. The Persian rulers from 343 to 332 BC are sometimes listed as the Thirty-first Dynasty:

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Artaxerxes III		Egypt came under Persian rule for the second time	343–338 BC
Artaxerxes IV Arses		Only reigned in Lower Egypt	338–336 BC
Khababash		Rebel pharaoh who led an invasion in Nubia	338–335 BC
Darius III		Upper Egypt returned to Persian control in 335 BC	336–332 BC

Argead Dynasty

The Macedonians under Alexander the Great brought in the Hellenistic period with his capture of Persia and Egypt. The Argeads ruled from 332 to 309 BC:

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Alexander the Great		Macedon took over Persia and Egypt	332–323 BC
Philip III of Macedon		Feeble-minded half-brother of Alexander III the Great	323–317 BC
Alexander IV of Macedon		Son of Alexander the Great and Roxana	317–309 BC

Ptolemaic Dynasty

The second Hellenistic dynasty, the Ptolemies, ruled Egypt from 305 BC until Egypt became a province of Rome in 30 BC. If two dates overlap, that means there was a co-regency. The most famous member of this dynasty was Cleopatra VII. In modern times she is known simply as Cleopatra. She was the consort of Julius Caesar and after Caesar's death, of Mark Antony, and had children with both of them. Cleopatra tried to create a dynastic and political union between Egypt and Rome. This failed with the assassination of Caesar and the defeat of Mark Antony. Caesarion (Ptolemy XV Philopator Philometor Caesar) was the last king of the Ptolemaic dynasty of Egypt. He reigned jointly with his mother Cleopatra VII of Egypt, from September 2, 47 BC. He was the eldest son of Cleopatra VII, and possibly the only son of Julius Caesar, after whom he was named. Between Cleopatra's death on August 12, 30 BC, up to his own death on August 23, 30 BC, he was the sole pharaoh. It is tradition that he was hunted down and killed on the orders of Octavian, who would become the Roman emperor Augustus, but there is no evidence.

Name	Image	Comments	Dates
Ptolemy I of Egypt		Abdicated in 285 BC; died in 283 BC	305–285 BC
Berenice I of Egypt		Wife of Ptolemy I	?–285 BC
Ptolemy II of Egypt		-	288–246 BC
Arsinoe I of Egypt		Wife of Ptolemy II	284/281-c. 274 BC
Arsinoe II of Egypt		Wife of Ptolemy II	277–270 BC
Ptolemy III of Egypt		-	246–222 BC
Berenice II of Egypt		Wife of Ptolemy III	244/243–222 BC
Ptolemy IV of Egypt		-	222–204 BC
Arsinoe III of Egypt		Wife of Ptolemy IV	220–204 BC
Hugronaphor		Revolutionary Pharaoh in the South	205–199 BC
Ankhmakis		Revolutionary Pharaoh in the South	199–185 BC
Ptolemy V of Egypt		Upper Egypt in revolt 207–186 BC	204–180 BC
Cleopatra I of Egypt		Wife of Ptolemy V, ruled with Ptolemy VI until he was old enough to rule by himself	193–176 BC
Ptolemy VI of Egypt		Died 145 BC	180–164 BC
Cleopatra II of Egypt		Wife of Ptolemy VI	175–164 BC
Ptolemy VIII of Egypt		Proclaimed king by Alexandrians in 170 BC; ruled jointly with Ptolemy VI of Egypt and Cleopatra II from 169 to 164 BC. Died 116 BC	171–163 BC
Ptolemy VI of Egypt		Egypt under the control of Ptolemy VIII 164 BC–163 BC; Ptolemy VI restored 163 BC	163–145 BC
Cleopatra II of Egypt		Married Ptolemy VIII; led revolt against him in 131 BC and became sole ruler of Egypt.	163–127 BC
Ptolemy VII		Proclaimed co-ruler by father; later ruled under regency of his mother Cleopatra II	145–144 BC
Ptolemy VIII of Egypt		Restored	145–131 BC
Cleopatra III of Egypt		Second wife of Ptolemy VIII	142–131 BC
Ptolemy Memphitis		Proclaimed King by Cleopatra II; soon killed by Ptolemy VIII	131 BC
Ptolemy VIII of Egypt		Restored	127–116 BC
Cleopatra III of Egypt		Restored with Ptolemy VIII; later co-regent with Ptolemy IX and X.	127–107 BC
Cleopatra II of Egypt		Reconciled with Ptolemy VIII; co-ruled with Cleopatra III and Ptolemy until 116.	124–116 BC
Ptolemy IX of Egypt		Died 80 BC	116–110 BC
Cleopatra IV of Egypt		Shortly married to Ptolemy IX, but was pushed out by Cleopatra III	116–115 BC
Ptolemy X of Egypt		Died 88 BC	110–109 BC
Berenice III of Egypt		Forced to marry Ptolemy XI; murdered on his orders 19 days later	81–80 BC
Ptolemy XI of Egypt Alexander II		Young son of Ptolemy X Alexander; installed by Sulla; ruled for 80 days before being lynched by citizens for killing Berenice III	80 BC
Ptolemy XII		Son of Ptolemy IX; died 51 BC	80– 58 BC
Cleopatra V of Egypt		Wife of Ptolemy XII, mother of Berenice IV	79–68 BC
Cleopatra VI of Egypt		Daughter of Ptolemy XII	58–57 BC
Berenice IV of Egypt		Daughter of Ptolemy XII; forced to marry Seleucus Kybiosaktes, but has him strangled. Joint rule with Cleopatra VI until 57 BC.	58–55 BC
Ptolemy XII of Egypt		Restored; reigned briefly with his daughter Cleopatra VII before his death	55–51 BC
Cleopatra VII		Jointly with her father Ptolemy XII, her brother Ptolemy XIII, her brother-husband Ptolemy XIV, and her son Ptolemy XV; also known simply as Cleopatra	51–30 BC
Ptolemy XIII of Egypt		Brother of Cleopatra VII	51–47 BC
Arsinoe IV of Egypt		In opposition to Cleopatra VII	48–47 BC
Ptolemy XIV of Egypt		Younger brother of Cleopatra VII and Ptolemy XIII	47–44 BC
Ptolemy XV of Egypt		Infant son of Cleopatra VII; aged 3 when proclaimed co-ruler with Cleopatra. Last known ruler of ancient Egypt when Rome took over.	44–30 BC

Rome

Cleopatra VII had affairs with the Roman Dictator Julius Caesar and Roman General Marc Antony. She killed herself when Antony was defeated by Octavian (later be Emperor Augustus). Egypt then became a province of Rome in 30 BC. Roman Emperors were given the title of Pharaoh, although exclusively while in Egypt. One Egyptian king-list lists the Roman Emperors as Pharaohs up to and including Decius. See the list of Roman Emperors.

References

• J. H. Breasted, History of Egypt from the Earliest Time to the Persian Conquest, 1909
• J. Cerny, 'Egypt from the Death of Ramesses III to the End of the Twenty-First Dynasty' in The Middle East and the Aegean Region c.1380-1000 BC, Cambridge University Press, ISBN 0-521-08691-4
• Clayton, Peter A. (1995). Chronicle of the Pharaohs: The Reign-by-Reign Record of the Rulers and Dynasties of Ancient Egypt. The Chronicles Series (Reprinted ed.). London: Thames and Hudson. ISBN 978-0-500-05074-3.
• Dodson, Aidan and Hilton, Dyan. The Complete Royal Families of Ancient Egypt. Thames & Hudson. 2004. ISBN 0-500-05128-3
• Sir Alan Gardiner Egyptian Grammar: Being an Introduction to the Study of Hieroglyphs, Third Edition, Revised. London: Oxford University Press, 1964. Excursus A, pp. 71–76.
• Nicolas Grimal, A History of Ancient Egypt, (Blackwell Books: 1992)
• Murnane, William J. Ancient Egyptian Coregencies, Studies in Ancient Oriental Civilization. No. 40. The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago, 1977
• Michael Rice, Who's Who in Ancient Egypt, Routledge 1999
• Ryholt, Kim & Steven Bardrum. 2000. "The Late Old Kingdom in the Turin King-list and the Identity of Nitocris." Zeitschrift für ägyptische Sprache und Altertumskunde 127
• Shaw, Ian. The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt., Oxford University Press, 2000.
• Shaw, Garry. The Pharaoh, Life at Court and on Campaign, Thames and Hudson, 2012.
• Toby A. H. Wilkinson, Early Dynastic Egypt, Routledge 1999, ISBN 0-415-18633-1
• Verner, Miroslav, The Pyramids - Their Archaeology and History, Atlantic Books, 2001, ISBN 1-84354-171-8
• Egypt, History & Civilisation By Dr. R Ventura. Published by Osiris, PO Box 107 Cairo.

Other websites

• Egyptian chronology site Archived 2014-05-17 at the Wayback Machine
• Egyptian Royal Genealogy Archived 2009-04-07 at the Wayback Machine
• Manetho and the King Lists Archived 2002-01-06 at the Wayback Machine Review of different primary king lists
• Chronology Table - 0 Dynasty&History Period, by Dariusz Sitek Archived 2007-06-30 at the Wayback Machine Multi-pages of list of pharaohs in different king lists, without the god kings, in Egyptian hieroglyphs and English
• Egyptian Journey 2003: History: King Lists Hyperlink texts of the Manetho, Abydos & Turin king lists, without the god-kings
• Digital Egypt for Universities
• List of all female Pharaohs Archived 2020-01-18 at the Wayback Machine