Abydos Kings List

The Abdyos Kings list was inscribed on the walls of the temple of Seti, established by Seti I and completed by his son Ramesses II.

Abydos Kings ListBudge, E. A. Wallace. "The Nile: Notes for Travellers in Egypt." (Harrison and Sons, London: 1902). p. 626.

The list is not by any means complete and it heavily favours the Memphite kings. During the First Intermediate Period there were three rival kingdoms, Memphis, Thebes, and Herakleopolis. None of the Herakleopolitan kings are included in the Abydos list and it is only after the Memphite line ceased to exist and Montuhotep I reunited Egypt that the Theban kings are included.

Akhenaten (Amenhotep IV), Tutankhamun and Ay are all omitted because of their association with the Aten (Akhenaten’s semi-monotheistic cult). Hatshepsut and Meryneith are both omitted from the list, but Neterkare is often considered to be Queen Nitocris. It is possible that the list was intended to name only male rulers, and Nitocris slipped in under her throne name.

Dynasty One

The first dynasty names on the Abydos kings list (Copyright Rudolf-Ochmann)

Dynasty Two

The second dynasty on the Abydos kings list (Copyright Rudolf-Ochmann)

Dynasty Three

The third dynasty on the Abydos kings list (Copyright Rudolf-Ochmann)

Dynasty Four

The fourth dynasty on the Abydos kings list (Copyright Rudolf-Ochmann)

Dynasty Five

The fifth dynasty on the Abydos kings list (Copyright Rudolf-Ochmann)

Dynasty Six

The sixth dynasty on the Abydos kings list (Copyright Rudolf-Ochmann)

Abydos Kings List: Page Two

Copyright J Hill 2010