Known rulers, in the History of Egypt, for the Second Dynasty. The capital at that time was Thinis.
The First and Second Dynasties of ancient Egypt are often combined under the group title, Early Dynastic Period.
Although Manetho states the capital was at Thinis, the same as during the First Dynasty, at least the first three kings were buried at Saqqara, suggesting the center of power had moved to Memphis. Beyond this, little can be said about the events during this period; the annual records on the Palermo Stone only survive for the end of the reign of Raneb and for parts of Nynetjer's. One important event possibly happened during the reign of Khasekhemwy: many Egyptologists read his name ("the Two Powers are Crowned") as commemorating the union of Upper and Lower Egypts.
Rulers[]
For the first three pharaohs, sources are fairly close in agreement and the order is supported by an inscription on the statuette of Hetepdief, who served in the mortuary cults of these three kings.
Name | Dates | Comments |
---|---|---|
Hotepsekhemwy | ca. 2890 BC (25-29 years) | |
Nebre | ca. 2850 BC (10-14 years) | |
Nynetjer | ca. 2810 BC (40 years) |
However, the identity of the following rulers is unclear. Surviving sources might be giving the Horus name or the Nebty name and the birth names of these rulers. They may also be entirely different individuals, or could be legendary names. This might never be resolved.
It has been theorised that following the reign of Nynetjer, the country was split and ruled by two successors due to the overly complex state administration of the whole of Egypt.[1]
The following list contains various king names from different sources:
Name | Dates | Comments |
---|---|---|
Wadjnes | ca. 2790 BC (17 or 54 years) | Listed as the fourth king of the dynasty on the Turin, Saqqara and Abydos king lists. Only attested in Lower Egypt.[2] |
Senedj | ca. 2770 BC (41 years) | Listed as the fifth king of the dynasty on the Turin, Saqqara and Abydos king lists. |
Neferka | ca. 2750 BC (26 years) | Listed as the sixth king of the dynasty in the Saqqara and Turin King lists, but omitted from the Abydos King List. Only attested in later documents dated long after the time period of the Second dynasty. May have only ruled Lower Egypt. |
Neferkasokar | ca. 2740 BC (8 or 48 years) | Listed as the seventh king of the dynasty in the Saqqara and Turin King lists, but omitted from the Abydos King List. Only attested in later documents dated long after the time period of the Second dynasty. May have only ruled Lower Egypt. |
Hudjefa I | ca. 2730 BC (11 years) | Listed as the eighth king of the dynasty on the Saqqara Tablet, but omitted from the Abydos King List. Name literally means "erased" or "missing", showing that this king's name was unknown or lost by the Nineteenth Dynasty. May have only ruled Lower Egypt. |
Peribsen | ca. 2720 BC | Serekh connected to Seth deity rather than the traditional Horus. Attested by contemporary inscriptions, but not on later king lists. Only attested in Upper Egypt. |
Sekhemib | ca. 2720 BC | Attested by contemporary inscriptions, but not on later king lists. May be identified with Peribsen or his immediate successor. |
Ba | Horus name of a king. Does not appear on any known official king lists. May be identical to another king of this dynasty or a completely separate ruler. | |
Weneg | Generally accepted as a nebty name.[3] Does not appear on any known official king lists. May be identical to another king of this dynasty or a completely separate ruler. | |
Nubnefer | Generally accepted as a king's nomen. Does not appear on any known official king lists. May be identical to another king of this dynasty or a completely separate ruler. |
With the last ruler, the sources return to an agreement:
Name | Dates | Comments |
---|---|---|
Khasekhemwy | 2704–2686 BC (17-18 years) | Listed as the last king of the dynasty on the Turin, Saqqara and Abydos king lists. |
References[]
Bibliography[]
- Grimal, N., 1994: A History of Ancient Egypt.
- Wilkinson, T.A.H., 1999: Early Dynastic Egypt. Routledge, London.
Preceded by: 1st Dynasty |
Early Dynastic Period 2nd Dynasty |
Succeeded by: 3rd Dynasty |