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Pharaohs, Kings, Governors & other Rulers of Ancient Egypt

The Kings or Rulers of Egypt were not called Pharaohs by the ancient Egyptians. This word was used by the Greeks and Hebrews, and today is commonly used for the ancient Kings of Egypt. We really do not know how many kings ruled in Egypt, for at times in its ancient past the country was split up, and there were at least several kings at the same time. There was also probably kings who ruled regions of Egypt before recorded history, and in fact, several ancient historians record legendary Pharaohs who became Egyptian gods.

Below contains a list of the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, from the Early Dynastic Period before 3000 BC through to the end of the Ptolemaic Dynasty, when Egypt became a province of Rome under Augustus Caesar in 30 BC.

Note that the dates given must be regarded in most instances as approximate. Dating systems for Egyptian studies are quite various, depending on how they are constructed and what assumptions are used. The list of pharaohs presented below is one such interpretation, but it is assuredly not the only one.


Early Dynastic: Lower Egypt

Lower Egypt, known as the Black Land, consisted of the northern Nile and the Nile Delta. The following list may not be complete:

Name Comments Dates
Tiu Tiu, also Teyew etc, was a Predynastic ancient Egyptian king who ruled in the Nile Delta. He is mentioned in the Palermo Stone inscriptions among a small number of kings of Lower Egypt. Nothing else is known of his life or reign.  ?
Thesh Thesh, or Tjesh, Tesh etc, was a Predynastic ancient Egyptian king who ruled in the Nile Delta. He is mentioned in the Palermo Stone inscriptions among a small number of kings of Lower Egypt.  ?
Hsekiu Hsekiu, also Seka, was a Predynastic ancient Egyptian king who ruled in the Nile Delta. He is mentioned in the Palermo Stone inscriptions among a small number of kings of Lower Egypt.  ?
Wazner Wazner, also Wazenez or Wadjenedj, was a Predynastic Egyptian king who ruled in the Nile Delta. He is mentioned in the Palermo Stone inscriptions among a small number of kings of Lower Egypt. c. 3100 BC?


Early Dynastic: Upper Egypt

Upper Egypt, known as the Red Land, consisted of the southern Nile and the deserts. The following list may not be complete (there are many more of uncertain existence):

Name Comments Dates
Scorpion I Oldest tomb at Umm el-Qa'ab had scorpion insignia c. 3200 BC?
Iry-Hor kingship uncertain c. 3150 BC?
Ka - c. 3100 BC
King Scorpion Potentially pronounced Serqet, but uncertain; possibly the same person as Narmer. c. 3100 BC
Narmer The king who combined Upper and Lower Egypt. c. 3100 BC


First Dynasty

The First Dynasty ruled from c.3050 BC to 2890 BC.

Name Comments Dates
Menes Potentially the same person as Narmer, Hor-Aha, Serket II, or any combination of the three. contingent upon identity
Hor-Aha Arguably the unifier of Upper and Lower Egypt. c. 3050 BC
Djer - 41 years
Merneith Regent for Den -
Djet - 23 years
Den - 14 to 20 years
Anedjib - 10 years
Semerkhet - 9 years
Qa'a The last king of First Dynasty of Egypt 2916? - 2890

Second Dynasty

The Second Dynasty ruled from 2890 to 2686 BC.

Name Comments Dates
Hotepsekhemwy First king of the Second Dynasty of Egypt 2890 - ?
Raneb - 39 years
Ninetjer - 40 years
Wneg - 8 years
Senedj - 20 years
Seth-Peribsen - 17 years
Sekhemib-Perenmaat May have been the same individual also known as Seth-Peribsen -
Khasekhemwy  ? - 2686 BC 17 to 18 years



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