The First Pharaonic Dynasty
Tombstone of king gath
The kings of the First Pharaonic Dynasty (ca. 3150 - 2890 BC) worked to achieve common goals: increasing the volume of trade, expanding the area of the state through military campaigns, participating in architectural projects (such as monuments, tombs, and temples), and securing the central rule of the country, and it was the capital of their rule. The city of Thenis near Abydos and also Memphis. According to the history of Manetho, King Menes was the initiator of that dynasty, and who, along with the pharaoh who was believed to be the heir to his throne, was known as Narmer. Narmer united Upper and Lower Egypt under central rule initially in Thinis before He then builds a palace in Memphis and moves the seat of government there. Historian Margaret Ponson wrote:
"The First Dynasty, which began in Memphis after Thenis, was marked by significant cultural achievements, as its kings consolidated their right to the throne [by marriage] and established or consolidated earlier patterns of governmental and religious traditions that would become unique aspects of Egypt's heritage. Papyrus, writing, and the calendar were in use. They knew Linear measurements, mathematics, and astronomy, practicing population censuses, assessing taxes, redrawing borders after the annual Nile flood, and developing new astronomical instruments, all took Egypt to new heights.” (77)
Queen Neethotep, wife of King Narmer, may have been the first female ruler in Egypt after his death. The kings who succeeded King Narmer continued his policies, and the greatest of these was King Den (2990 BC), who was the first king depicted wearing the double crown. In reference to his dominance over all of Egypt, his mother was Queen “Mer-Neith,” who may have ruled as regent when he was young, or perhaps she ruled Egypt as “Nehotep” had done before. Military campaigns were launched against Nubia, Libya, and Sinai during the First Dynasty, which It led to an increase in wealth and the expansion of Egyptian territory, and the neglected borderlands were controlled.
under the rule of the pharaohs, egypt transformed from a largely agricultural country to an increasingly civilized country.
The kings of the First Dynasty were, for the most part, influential rulers, except for the turbulent era of Kings “Aj Ib” and “Samerkhet.” Under the rule of the Pharaohs, Egypt transformed from a largely agricultural state to an increasingly civilized state. It seems that the Egyptians were keen However, it managed to avoid the disadvantages of urbanization that characterized the cities of Mesopotamia, such as overpopulation and excessive use of land and water resources.
The following list of First Dynasty kings is based on Manetho's Division, the Turin Papyrus of Kings, and archaeological evidence contained in the scientific research "Ancient Egypt: Foundations of Civilization" by Douglas Brewer. The dates of the reign of the kings are approximate, as each Pharaoh built on what his predecessor had established and worked to preserve The principle of Maat (harmony) in the land, and because of their common vision and the lack of written records, it is difficult to determine the precise date of their rule, and the new method (symbolic rather than literal reading) of ancient inscriptions (such as the Narmer Stela) made the precise dating of these kings more complicated, while, in the early In the twentieth, a piece like the Narmer painting was read as history (literally), and is now interpreted (symbolically) as representing the cultural values of the period. Yes, there is certainly some logic and methodology to this new approach, but it makes accurate dating almost impossible.
King Narmer - also known as Menes, 3150 BC - unified Upper and Lower Egypt and established central government in Thinis - which may have been his birthplace although he also had roots from the city of Nekhen - which then moved to Abydos and then Memphis. He married Princess Neithotep of Naqada to consolidate his rule and alliance with the ruling House of Naqada. During his time, religious practices developed and major architectural projects began. It is also likely that King Narmer led military campaigns to put down rebellions in Lower Egypt and to expand Egyptian territory in Nubia and Canaan, and it is possible that after his death Queen "Nehotep" subjected the country to her rule, and if this is true, she will be the first female ruler of Egypt and among the first in history, dating back to prehistoric times like the Assyrian queen "Shamu-Ramat."
It is likely that King "Hor-Aha" - 3100-3050 BC, Greek name: Athotis - the son of King Narmer and Queen "Nehotep" (although he is believed to be Menes / Narmer himself), continued his father's policies in the military campaigns against Nubia. But he appears to have neglected Canaan, and archaeological evidence from his time suggests that he was primarily interested in religious rituals and that he devised the type of tomb known as the mastaba ( Arabic mastaba), which was a precursor to the construction of the full pyramids. The necropolis of Memphis dates from his reign.
It is believed that King Djer - 3050 - 3000 BC; Greek name: Unifis - son of King Hor-Aha, who was greatly interested in building palaces and military expansion. His rule was prolonged through military campaigns in Nubia and Canaan and he used the resources at his disposal in his construction projects, and trade and industry flourished during his reign.
It is believed that King Gath - about 3000 - 2990 BC; Greek name: Osavais) - son of King Djer, but we know nothing about his rule. He was buried in Abydos, and was succeeded by his wife, Queen Mer-Neith.
Queen Mer-Neith (2990 BC) was the wife of King Get and the mother of his successor, King Den. She certainly ruled as regent for the young King Den, but she may have ruled alone and with complete authority. Although Manetho did not He mentions her in his history, but the archaeological finds found in her tomb in Abydos indicate that she was the queen of Egypt, and it seems that her influence continued during the reign of her son, so even if she did not rule with full authority, she certainly exercised royal authority.
King Den
King DEN - 2990 - 2940 BC, Greek name: Kenkenes - was the son of King Gath and Queen Mer-Neith, and was the first king depicted wearing the double crown. He ruled Egypt for 50 years (although part of his reign was under Under the guardianship of his mother, Queen Mer-Neith, he expanded the country's borders through military campaigns in Sinai. Elaborate temple complexes and tombs were built during his reign, trade flourished, and the worship of Apis (also known as Hapi), the mediating god between humans and gods, appeared during his reign. King Den is considered the greatest king of the First Dynasty.
It is likely that King “Aj Ib” - 2940 - 2930 BC, Greek name: Mepidus - the son of King “Din” or most likely his son-in-law. His reign was marked by revolutions and little was known about him.
For many years, archaeologists considered King Samarkhet - 2930 - 2920 BC; Greek name: Simim Bsis - usurped the throne based on his alleged erasure of the name of King “Aj Ib” on many artifacts, but that belief was discredited with the discovery of the Cairo Stone (Palermo Stone) that recorded his reign and his tomb. It seems that he went through difficult times such as “ Aj Ib” during his attempts to control his kingdom.
King Qa (2920 - 2890 BC, Greek name: Penesh) was the last king of the First Dynasty. Little is known about his reign except that he was prosperous and his rule lasted between 26 and 34 years. He is believed to be a relative of King Samar Khatt. And perhaps his son, or he did not have children or his sons fought over the throne after his death, as a war broke out to inherit his throne between a prince called “Seni Verka” and another named “Horus Ba.” Another prince called “Hotepesekhemwy” settled the conflict, which He either defeated them, reconciled with them, or both, and is considered the founder of the Second Dynasty.
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