Semerkhet

The Pharaoh I chose was Semerkhet.Semerkhet was the sixth king of Ancient Egypt's First Dynasty who ruled around 2950 BC. Although little is known of his reign, Semerkhet seems to have had a difficult time as king judging by the records of Manetho.

He manage to build a much larger royal tomb than Anedjib even though he has a short 9 year reign. Semerkhet is known from one or two contemporary artefacts and, more importantly, in the Palermo Stone Annals. Although the third century BCE Egyptian priest Manetho records that this king ruled Egypt for eighteen years, and the Turin Canon gives him 72 years, these figures are less reliable than the 5th dynasty Palermo Stone.

Semerkhet's royal name, written in a serekh, was written in this section of the document; hence, the nine-year reign can only belong to him. Wilkinson says that this king had a reign of 9 full or partial years. The only events listed on the Palermo Stone for his short reign appear to be religious things.

A lady named 'Batirytes' is named as Semerkhet's mother in the Cairo Annals part of the Palermo Stone.Semerkhet is buried in Tomb U , near Abydos. He ruled Egypt for about nine years. He destroyed the name of his predecessor, Anedjib, on a number of stone vessels, and in return, was himself taken away from the Saqqara King list.

Semerkhet was the king's Horus name, and means "Thoughtful Friend" . Grimal also tells us that his nebty name meant "he whom the two mistresses guard", a reference to Nekhbet, the vulture goddess of Nekheb.Grimal therefore says that he may have had a priestly role prior to his ascending the throne of Egypt.His tomb is located at Abydos (Tomb U).

Semerkhet was a very interesting Pharaoh.I really enjoyed doing this project because I actually learned much more about him.