Fourteenth Dynasty of Egypt
Fourteenth Dynasty of Egypt | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ca. 1725 BC–ca. 1650 BC | |||||||||||||||
Capital | Avaris | ||||||||||||||
Common languages | Egyptian language | ||||||||||||||
Religion | ancient Egyptian religion | ||||||||||||||
Government | Absolute monarchy | ||||||||||||||
Historical era | Bronze Age | ||||||||||||||
• Established | ca. 1725 BC | ||||||||||||||
• Disestablished | ca. 1650 BC | ||||||||||||||
|
Periods and dynasties of ancient Egypt | ||
---|---|---|
All years are BC | ||
XXXIII | 305–30 |
The Fourteenth Dynasty of Egypt was a series of rulers reigning during the
Chronology
The 14th Dynasty is commonly grouped together with the 13th, 15th,
There are enough gaps in the knowledge of the 14th Dynasty that its absolute chronological position is debated, and can vary by as much as 75 years between authorities. Egyptologist Kim Ryholt proposes that the 14th Dynasty emerged during the late 12th Dynasty, ca. 1805 BC, during or shortly after Sobekneferu's rule. He contends that the local Canaanite population residing in the eastern Delta declared their independence and staved off possible attempts from the 13th Dynasty Memphite kings to recover the Delta. According to Ryholt, the 14th Dynasty lasted from 1805 BC until its demise under the Hyksos 15th Dynasty ca. 1650 BC, lasting a total of 155 years.
This hypothesis is not shared by some Egyptologists, such as Manfred Bietak, Daphna Ben Tor, and James and Susan Allen, who argue that the 14th Dynasty could not have emerged before the mid 13th Dynasty, ca. 1720 BC, after the reign of Sobekhotep IV.[3][4] In particular, they argue that the evidence from the strata levels where 14th Dynasty seals have been discovered conclusively establishes that the 14th Dynasty was only contemporary with the 13th Dynasty in the last half century of the latter's existence, i.e., after ca. 1700 BC. Additionally, Manfred Bietak has dated the inscriptions and monuments of Nehesy, possibly the second ruler of the 14th Dynasty, to around 1700 BC as well.[5]
Following the very short reign of Nehesy, most scholars – including Manfred Bietak and Kim Ryholt – agree that the Delta region was struck by a prolonged famine and perhaps a plague lasting until the end of the 14th Dynasty.[1][6] The same famine may have affected the 13th Dynasty, which also exhibits instability and numerous ephemeral kings in its last 50 years of existence, from ca. 1700 BC until 1650 BC. The weakened state of both kingdoms may explain, in part, why they fell rapidly to the emerging Hyksos power around 1650 BC.[1]
Seat of power
The
Extent of rule and foreign relations
The precise borders of the 14th Dynasty state are not known, due to the general scarcity of its monuments. In his study of the Second Intermediate Period, Kim Ryholt concludes that the territory directly controlled by the 14th Dynasty roughly consisted of the Nile Delta, with borders located near Athribis in the western Delta and Bubastis in the east.[1]
Seals attributable to the 14th Dynasty have been found in Middle and Upper Egypt – then entirely the territory of the 13th Dynasty – and as far south as Dongola, beyond the Nile's Third Cataract. To the north, seals have been found in the southern Levant, principally along the Mediterranean coast, even as far north as Tel Kabri (in modern-day northern Israel, near the border with Lebanon).[1] This indicates the existence of important trade conducted between the 13th Dynasty, the Canaanite city-states, and Nubia.[1] Ryholt further proposes that king Sheshi, whom he sees as a 14th Dynasty ruler, married a Nubian princess, queen Tati, to strengthen relations with the Kushite kingdom.[1]
Rulers
The order of rulers for this dynasty is established by the Turin Royal Canon and is widely accepted – except for the first five rulers, which are given below after Ryholt.
Name of King | Image | Dates | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Yakbim Sekhaenre | 1805 BC – 1780 BC or after 1650 BC | Chronological position is contested; might be a vassal of the 15th Dynasty | |
Ya'ammu Nubwoserre | 1780 BC – 1770 BC | Chronological position is contested | |
Qareh Khawoserre |
1770 BC – 1760 BC | Chronological position is contested | |
'Ammu Aahotepre |
1760 – 1745 BC or after 1650 BC | Chronological position is contested; might be a vassal of the 15th Dynasty | |
Sheshi Maaibre | 1745 BC – 1705 BC or after 1650 BC | Attested by over 300 Kushite . Chronological position is contested; might be a vassal of the 15th Dynasty
|
The following rulers are not controversial, being established by the Turin Canon – and, for a few of them, by contemporary sources as well:
Name of King | Image | Dates | Comments |
---|---|---|---|
Nehesy Aasehre | 1705 BC | Best attested king of the dynasty, he left his name on two monuments at Avaris. His name means "The Nubian".[7] | |
Khakherewre | 1705 BC | - | |
Nebefawre | 1704 BC | Turin canon: reigned 1 year, 5 months, 15 days | |
Sehebre | Turin canon: reigned 3 years [lost] months, 1 day | ||
Merdjefare | ending 1699 BC | Attested by a single stela from Saft el-Hinna, in the Delta[8] | |
Sewadjkare III | Turin canon: reigned 1 year | ||
Nebdjefare | ending 1694 BC | - | |
Webenre | ending 1693 BC | - | |
Unknown | Lost in the Turin king list | ||
[...]djefare | - | ||
[...]webenre | ending 1690 BC | - | |
Awibre II | - | ||
Heribre | - | ||
Nebsenre | Attested by a jar bearing his prenomen. Reigned for at least 5 months. | ||
Unknown | wsf in the Turin king list, indicating a lacuna in the document from which the list was copied | ||
[...]re | |||
Sekheperenre | One of the only undisputed 14th Dynasty kings known from contemporary sources (along with Nehesy, Nebsenre, and Merdjefare). | ||
Djedkherewre | - | ||
Sankhibre II | - | ||
Nefertum[...]re | - | ||
Sekhem[...]re | - | ||
Kakemure | - | ||
Neferibre | - | ||
I[...]re | - | ||
Khakare | - | ||
Akare | - | ||
Hapu[...] Semenenre | - | ||
Anati Djedkare | - | ||
Babnum [...]kare | - | ||
Unknown | Eight lines lost in the Turin king list | ||
Senefer...re | - | ||
Men[...]re | - | ||
Djed[...]re | - | ||
Unknown | Three lines lost in the Turin king list | ||
Ink [...] | - | ||
'A[...] | - | ||
Apophis I (?) | - | ||
Unknown | Five lines lost in the Turin king list |
Finally, several rulers attested by contemporary artefacts who are otherwise unknown from the Turin Canon could be dated to the 14th[1] or 15th Dynasty.[9] Their identities and chronological position remain unclear:
Name of King | Image | Attestations |
---|---|---|
Nuya | 1 scarab-seal
| |
Sheneh | 3 scarab-seals | |
Shenshek | 1 scarab-seal | |
Wazad | 5 scarab-seals | |
Khamure | 2 scarab-seals | |
Yakareb | 2 scarab-seals | |
Merwoserre Yaqub-Har | 27 scarab-seals |
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Kim Ryholt, The Political Situation in Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period, Museum Tusculanum Press, (1997)
- ^ Ilin-Tomich, Alexander (2016). "Second Intermediate Period". UCLA Encyclopedia of Egyptology: 3.
- ^ a b Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research 315, 1999, pp.47-73.
- ^ Janine Bourriau, "The Second Intermediate Period (c.1650-1550 BC)" in Ian Shaw (ed.) The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt, Oxford University Press, 2000. pp.192 & 194
- ^ Bourriau, "The Second Intermediate Period," pp.178-179, 181
- ^ Manfred Bietak, "Egypt and Canaan During the Middle Bronze Age," BASOR, 281 (1991), pp. 21-72, esp. p. 38, available online
- ISBN 978-1-905299-37-9, 2008, p. 277
- ISBN 0631184279, p.546
Bibliography
- K.S.B. Ryholt (1998). The Political Situation in Egypt During the Second Intermediate Period, C1800-1550 BC. Museum Tusculanum Press. ISBN 8772894210.
- K.A. Kitchen (1993). Ramesside Inscriptions. Blackwell Publishing. ISBN 0631184279.