Kingship, Power, and Legitimacy in Ancient Egypt : From the Old Kingdom to the Middle Kingdom

"In this book, Lisa K. Sabbahy presents a history of ancient Egyptian kingship in the Old Kingdom and its re-formation in the early Middle Kingdom. Beginning with an account of Egypt's history before the Old Kingdom, she examines the basis of kingship and its legitimacy. The heart of her study is an exploration of the king's constant emphasis on his relationship to his divine parents, the sun god Ra and his mother, the goddess Hathor, who were two of the most important deities backing the rule of a divine king. Sabbahy focuses on the cardinal importance of this relationship, which is reflected in the king's monuments, particularly his pyramid complexes, several of which are analysed in detail. Sabbahy also offers new insights into the role of queens in the early history of Egypt, notably sibling royal marriages, harem conspiracies, and the possible connotations of royal female titles"-- Provided by publisher Kingship, Power, and Legitimacy in Ancient Egypt: From the Old Kingdom to the Middle Kingdom 4 Contents 6 List of Figures 8 Preface 10 Acknowledgments 11 Introduction 12 1 Background to Ancient Egypt 15 Ancient Egyptian History and Chronology 15 Early Evidence and Formation of a State 17 The Early Dynastic Period: The First Dynasty 24 The Second Dynasty 30 Basis of Egyptian Kingship 33 Beginning of Government and Administration 36 2 The Early Old Kingdom 40 The Third Dynasty: The Reign of King Netjerikhet (2667–2648) 40 The Fourth Dynasty 51 The Reign of Sneferu (2613–2589) 52 The Reign of Khufu (2589–2566) 63 The Reign of Djedefra (2566–2558) 69 The Reign of Khafra (2558–2532) 72 The Reign of Menkaura (2532–2503) and the End of the Fourth Dynasty 79 3 The Later Old Kingdom 87 The Fifth Dynasty 87 The Reign of Userkaf (2494–2487) 88 The Reign of Sahura (2487–2475) 92 The Reign of Nyuserra (2445–2421) 94 The End of the Fifth Dynasty 103 The Reign of Unas (2375–2345) and the Pyramid Texts 104 The Sixth Dynasty 109 The Reign of King Teti (2345–2323) 109 The Reign of King Pepy I (2321–2287) 112 The Reign of King Pepy II (2278–2184) 126 The End of the Sixth Dynasty 129 4 The Early Middle Kingdom Reunifies Egypt 132 The Reign of Mentuhotep II (2055–2004) 133 The End of the Eleventh Dynasty 146 5 The Beginning of the Twelfth Dynasty 149 The Reign of Amenemhat I (1985–1956) 149 The Reign of Senusret I (1956–1911) 157 Conclusion 172 Bibliography 176 Index 214 This book presents a history of ancient Egyptian kingship in the Old Kingdom and its re-formation in the early Middle Kingdom. Lisa Sabbahy examines the basis of kingship and its legitimacy. It appeals to scholars interested in ancient Egyptian history.