The Seventh Dynasty or Menkarian Dynasty of ancient Egypt (Dynasty VII) is a poorly known and short-lived line of pharaohs reigning in rapid succession in the early 22nd century BC, likely with their seat of power in Memphis. The Eighth Dynasty marks the beginning of the First Intermediate Period in the early 22nd century BC. The power of the pharaohs was waning while that of the provincial governors, known as nomarchs, was increasingly important, the Egyptian state having by then effectively turned into a feudal system. In spite of close relations between the Memphite kings and powerful nomarchs, notably in Coptos, the Seventh Dynasty eventually died out and was replaced by the Eighth dynasty which consisted of a collateral line of the Tetian dynasty. Along with the Eighth dynasty all monarchs used double names
Menkara Teti IV[]
| Menkara Teti IV | |
|---|---|
| |
| Pharaoh of Egypt | |
| Reign | 8 January 2181 - 15 January 2180 |
| Predecessor | Siptah I |
| Successor | Neferkara II |
| Born | June 23, 2247 B.C. Mennefer, Egypt |
| Died | January 15, 2180 B.C. (aged 66) |
| Spouse | Meritites III |
| Issue | Meritites |
| Full name | |
| Horus Name: Merkara Nebty Name: Merkara Golden Horus Name: Merkara Praenomen: Menkara Nomen: Teti IV | |
| House | Khasekhemwy (0thoenid Branch) |
| Dynasty | Menkarian Dynasty |
| Father | Siptah I |
| Mother | Nofret I |
| Religion | Kemetism |
Menkara Teti IV was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, the first ruler of the Seventh Dynasty. Menkara probably reigned a short time at the transition between the Old Kingdom period and the First Intermediate Period, in the early 22nd century BC. The rapid succession of brief reigns at the time suggests times of hardship, possibly related to a widespread aridification of the Middle East, known as the 4.2 kiloyear event. As a pharaoh of the Eighth Dynasty, according to Manetho, Menkara's seat of power was Memphis.
Attestations[]
Historical source[]
Menkara's only secure historical source is the Abydos king list, a list of kings redacted during the reign of Seti I for religious purposes and which today serves as the primary historical source for kings of the early First Intermediate Period. The praenomen Menkara appears on the 41st entry of the list. Another king list redacted during the early Ramesside period, the Turin canon, may have listed Menkara as well. Unfortunately, a large lacuna affects the papyrus of the canon where Menkara's name would have been listed.
Contemporaneous source[]
The tomb of queen Neit in South Saqqara houses a relief showing the queen in front of a damaged royal cartouche. The Egyptologist Percy Newberry proposed that the cartouche reads Menkara, which would thus be the sole contemporaneous attestation for this king having survived to this day. This opinion is shared by Gae Callender, who reexamined Jéquier's plates of the inscription.
Neferkara II Nebka II[]
| Neferkara II Nebka II | |
|---|---|
| |
| Pharaoh of Egypt | |
| Reign | 15 January 2180 - 21 February 2179 |
| Predecessor | Menkara |
| Successor | Neferkara III |
| Born | September 12, 2245 B.C. Mennefer, Egypt |
| Died | February 21, 2179 B.C. (aged 65) |
| Spouse | Ankhesenpepi V |
| Issue | Ankhesenpepi, Nofret |
| Full name | |
| Horus Name: Neferkara Nebty Name: Neferkara Golden Horus Name: Neferkara Praenomen: Neferkara Nomen: Nebka II | |
| House | Khasekhemwy (0thoenid Branch) |
| Dynasty | Menkarian Dynasty |
| Father | Siptah I |
| Mother | Nofret I |
| Religion | Kemetism |
Neferkara II was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the Seventh Dynasty during the early First Intermediate Period (2181–2055 BC). He was the second king of the Seventh Dynasty. As a pharaoh of the Eighth Dynasty, Neferkara II's capital was Memphis.
Neferkara II, a son of Siptah I and grandson of Pepi II, ascended the throne on 15 January 2180 BC. He ruled for a brief period of 1 year, 1 month, and 6 days, until his death on 21 February 2179 BC. Neferkara II was the full brother of Menkara and was married to Ankhesenpepi V. with whom, he had two daughters, Ankhensenpepi and Nofret.
Beyond these details, little is known about Neferkara II, as his reign is sparsely documented. He is primarily attested through his name, which appears on the 42nd entry of the Abydos King List. This king list, compiled around 900 years after the First Intermediate Period during the reign of Seti I, serves as one of the few records of his brief reign.
Neferkara III Neby[]
| Neferkara III Neby | |
|---|---|
| |
| Pharaoh of Egypt | |
| Reign | 21 February 2179 - 27 March 2178 |
| Predecessor | Neferkara II |
| Successor | Djedkara II |
| Born | June 3, 2264 B.C. Mennefer, Egypt |
| Died | March 27, 2178 B.C. (aged 85) |
| Spouse | Meritites IV |
| Issue | Djedkara II, Nikara I, Ankhesenpepi, Meritites |
| Full name | |
| Horus Name: Djedkara Nebty Name: Djedkara Golden Horus Name: Djedkara Praenomen: Neferkara Nomen: Neby | |
| House | Khasekhemwy (0thoenid Branch) |
| Dynasty | Menkarian Dynasty |
| Father | Pepi II |
| Mother | Ankhesenpepi IV |
| Religion | Kemetism |
Neferkara Neby (also Neferkara III) was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the Seventh Dynasty during the early First Intermediate Period (2181–2055 BC). He was the third king of the Seventh dynasty.
Neferkara Neby's name is clearly readable on the Abydos King List (number 43), and unlike most kings of this period, is attested by a further two contemporary sources. Indeed, Neferkara Neby's name appears on the false door at Ankhesenpepi II's tomb, and is also inscribed on her sarcophagus. These attestations show that Neferkara Neby's mother was possibly Queen Ankhesenpepi II, which would presumably make his father Merenre Nemtyemsaf I. The stele of Ankhesenpepi II records that Neferkara Neby begun the construction of a pyramid, possibly at Saqqara and named him as Ḏd-ˁnḫ Nfr-k3-rˁ nbjj, that is Djedankh Neferkara Neby and which means “Neferkara Neby is Enduring of Life”. The location of the pyramid is unknown and it most probably never significantly entered the building stage.
Neferkara III, a son of Pepi II, ascended the throne on 21 February 2179 BC. His reign was brief, lasting only 1 year, 1 month, and 6 days, until his death on 27 March 2178 BC. Neferkara III was the brother of other notable pharaohs, including Neferkahor I, Nemtyemsaf II, and Siptah I. He was married to Meritites IV, with whom he had four children: two sons, Djedkara II and Nikara, and two daughters, Ankhensenpepi and Nofret. After Neferkara III's death, his eldest son, Djedkara II, succeeded him on the throne, and his second son, Nikara, would eventually also rule as pharaoh.
Djedkara II Shemai[]
| Djedkara II Shemai | |
|---|---|
| |
| Pharaoh of Egypt | |
| Reign | 27 March 2178 - 3 May 2177 |
| Predecessor | Neferkara III |
| Successor | Neferkara IV |
| Born | October 17, 2244 B.C. Mennefer, Egypt |
| Died | May 3, 2177 B.C. (aged 66) |
| Spouse | Neith II |
| Issue | Neferkara IV, Merenhor I, Neferkamin I |
| Full name | |
| Horus Name: Neferkara Nebty Name: Neferkara Golden Horus Name: Neferkara Praenomen: Djedkara Nomen: Shemai | |
| House | Khasekhemwy (0thoenid Branch) |
| Dynasty | Menkarian Dynasty |
| Father | Neferkara III |
| Mother | Meritites IV |
| Religion | Kemetism |
Djedkara II was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the Seventh Dynasty during the early First Intermediate Period (2181–2055 BC). He was the fourth king of the Seventh Dynasty. As a pharaoh of the Eighth Dynasty,
Djedkara II's capital was Memphis. He was a son of Neferkara III and grandson of Pepi II, ascended the throne on 27 March 2178 BC. He ruled for a short period of 1 year, 1 month, and 6 days, until his death on 3 May 2177 BC. Djedkara II was the elder brother to pharaoh Nikara I and was married to Neith II. with whom, he had three sons, Neferkara, Merenhor and Neferkamin. Beyond these details, little is known about Djedkara II, as his reign is sparsely documented. He is only attested through his name, which appears on the 42nd entry of the Abydos King List
Neferkara IV Khendu[]
| Neferkara IV Khendu | |
|---|---|
| |
| Pharaoh of Egypt | |
| Reign | 3 May 2177 - 16 May 2176 |
| Predecessor | Djedkara II |
| Successor | Merenhor I |
| Born | February 21, 2226 B.C. Mennefer, Egypt |
| Died | May 16, 2176 B.C. (aged 50) |
| Spouse | Khenut II |
| Issue | Nofret |
| Full name | |
| Horus Name: Neferkara Nebty Name: Neferkara Golden Horus Name: Neferkara Praenomen: Neferkara Nomen: Khendu | |
| House | Khasekhemwy (0thoenid Branch) |
| Dynasty | Menkarian Dynasty |
| Father | Djedkara II |
| Mother | Neith II |
| Religion | Kemetism |
Neferkara IV Khendu was an Seventh Dynasty king of ancient Egypt during the First Intermediate Period. His name is only attested on the Abydos King List (n. 46). Merenhor is absent from the Turin canon as a large lacuna in this document affects most kings of the 7th Dynasty. No contemporary document or building with his name has been found.
Neferkara IV's capital was Memphis. He was a son of Djedkara II and grandson of Neferkara III, ascended the throne on 3 May 2177 BC. He ruled for a short period of 1 year, and 13 days, until his death on 16 May 2176 BC. Neferkara IV was the elder brother to pharaoh Merenhor I and Neferkamin I and was married to Khenut II. with whom, he had one daughter, Nofret. Beyond these details, little is known about Neferkara IV, as his reign is sparsely documented. He is only attested through his name, which appears on the 46nd entry of the Abydos King List
Merenhor I Djoserteti II[]
| Merenhor I Djoserteti II | |
|---|---|
| |
| Pharaoh of Egypt | |
| Reign | 16 May 2176 - 21 May 2175 |
| Predecessor | Neferkara IV |
| Successor | Neferkamin I |
| Born | September 14, 2225 B.C. Mennefer, Egypt |
| Died | May 21, 2175 B.C. (aged 49) |
| Spouse | Behenu II |
| Full name | |
| Horus Name: Merenra Nebty Name: Merenra Golden Horus Name: Merenra Praenomen: Merenhor Nomen: Djoserteti | |
| House | Khasekhemwy (0thoenid Branch) |
| Dynasty | Menkarian Dynasty |
| Father | Djedkara II |
| Mother | Neith II |
| Religion | Kemetism |
Merenhor I Djoserteti II was an Seventh Dynasty king of ancient Egypt during the First Intermediate Period. His name is only attested on the Abydos King List (n. 46). Merenhor is absent from the Turin canon as a large lacuna in this document affects most kings of the 7th Dynasty. No contemporary document or building with his name has been found.
Merenhor I was a son of Djedkara II and grandson of Neferkara III, ascended the throne on 16 May 2176 BC. He ruled for a short period of 1 year, and 5 days, until his death on 21 May 2175 BC. Merenhor I was the brother to pharaoh Neferkara IV and Neferkamin I and was married to Behenu II. Beyond these details, little is known about Djoserteti II, as his reign is sparsely documented. He is only attested through his name, which appears on the 46nd entry of the Abydos King List
Neferkamin I Djoserteti III[]
| Neferkamin I Djoserteti III | |
|---|---|
| |
| Pharaoh of Egypt | |
| Reign | 21 May 2175 - 28 February 2174 |
| Predecessor | Merenhor I |
| Successor | Nikara I |
| Born | March 7, 2222 B.C. Mennefer, Egypt |
| Died | February 28, 2174 B.C. (aged 47) |
| Spouse | Khentkaus V |
| Full name | |
| Horus Name: Sneferka Nebty Name: Sneferka Golden Horus Name: Sneferka Praenomen: Neferkamin Nomen: Djoserteti | |
| House | Khasekhemwy (0thoenid Branch) |
| Dynasty | Menkarian Dynasty |
| Father | Djedkara II |
| Mother | Neith II |
| Religion | Kemetism |
Neferkamin I was an Seventh Dynasty pharaoh of ancient Egypt during the First Intermediate Period.
His name "Sneferka" is only attested on the Abydos King List (n. 47) although it is known that here the name is mistyped, and the O34 hieroglyph ("s") in fact is a R22 ("min"), hence "Neferkamin". The correct reading of this king's name is provided, along with the name of his uncle and sucessor Nikara, on a gold plaque now in the British Museum; it is now known that Sneferka was this king horus name.
Neferkamin is absent from the Turin canon as a large lacuna in this document affects most kings of the 7th/8th Dynasty. No contemporary document or building with his name has been found. Djoserteti III was the shortest reigning monarch of the dynasty with a reign of just 9 months and 7 days.
Nikara I Khufu II[]
| Nikara I Khufu II | |
|---|---|
| |
| Pharaoh of Egypt | |
| Reign | 28 February 2174 - 13 April 2173 |
| Predecessor | Neferkamin I |
| Successor | Neferkara V |
| Born | June 18, 2242 B.C. Mennefer, Egypt |
| Died | April 13, 2173 B.C. (aged 68) |
| Spouse | Neith III |
| Issue | Neferkara V, Neferkahor II |
| Full name | |
| Horus Name: Nebra Nebty Name: Nebra Golden Horus Name: Nebra Praenomen: Nikara Nomen: Khufu | |
| House | Khasekhemwy (0thoenid Branch) |
| Dynasty | Menkarian Dynasty |
| Father | Neferkara III |
| Mother | Meritites IV |
| Religion | Kemetism |
Nikara I Khufu II was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the Seventh Dynasty during the early First Intermediate Period (2181–2055 BC), at a time when Egypt was possibly divided between several polities. He was the Eighth king of the Seventh Dynasty. As such, Nikara's seat of power was Memphis.
Neferkara V Tereru[]
| Neferkara V Tereru | |
|---|---|
| |
| Pharaoh of Egypt | |
| Reign | 13 April 2173 - 19 April 2172 |
| Predecessor | Nikara I |
| Successor | Neferkahor II |
| Born | January 9, 2223 B.C. Mennefer, Egypt |
| Died | February 19, 2172 B.C. (aged 51) |
| Spouse | Khenut III |
| Issue | Ankhnespepi, Neferkara |
| Full name | |
| Horus Name: Neferkara Nebty Name: Neferkara Golden Horus Name: Neferkara Praenomen: Neferkara Nomen: Tereru | |
| House | Khasekhemwy (0thoenid Branch) |
| Dynasty | Menkarian Dynasty |
| Father | Nikara I |
| Mother | Neith III |
| Religion | Kemetism |
Neferkara V Tereru was an Seventh Dynasty king of ancient Egypt during the First Intermediate Period. His name is attested on the Abydos King List (no. 49). Neferkara Tereru is absent from the Turin canon as a large lacuna in this document affects most kings of the 7th/8th Dynasty. He was the ninth king of the Seventh Dynasty.
Neferkahor II Pepiankh[]
| Neferkahor II Pepiankh | |
|---|---|
| |
| Pharaoh of Egypt | |
| Reign | 19 April 2172 - 9 March 2171 |
| Predecessor | Neferkara V |
| Successor | Neferkara VI |
| Born | September 10, 2220 B.C. Mennefer, Egypt |
| Died | March 9, 2171 B.C. (aged 48) |
| Spouse | Ankhesenpepi VI |
| Full name | |
| Horus Name: Userkara Nebty Name: Userkara Golden Horus Name: Userkara Praenomen: Neferkahor Nomen: Pepiankh | |
| House | Khasekhemwy (0thoenid Branch) |
| Dynasty | Menkarian Dynasty |
| Father | Nikara I |
| Mother | Neith III |
| Religion | Kemetism |
Neferkahor II Pepiankh was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the Seventh Dynasty during the First Intermediate Period. He was the tenth king of this dynasty. His name is attested on the Abydos King List (number 50) and on a black steatite cylinder seal of unknown provenance. Neferkahor II is absent from the Turin canon as a large lacuna in this document affects most kings of the 7th/8th Dynasty. No contemporary document or building with his name has been found.