On a trip to Paris, a few years ago, I spent most of my time at the Louvre on the floor housing the Egyptian antiquities. I admit it, I am kind of addicted to all things Egyptian...pyramids, sphynx, and pharaohs, So when I came across an article on the first known pharaoh, I was elated! Here's the synopsis of what I read. I hope you find it fascinating, too.
"The political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt began around 3500 B.C., thousands of years before historians to write such things down." Egypt was such an ancient civilization that the Greeks and Romans were as far removed from it in time as we are from that them today.
According to Egyptian historian Manetho, who lived in late fourth century B.C., the first ruler of a unified Egypt was Menes. But his identity still remains a mystery even today. There is no mention of Menes in history. Archeologists are unsure if Menes should be called Narmer or Aha, both of whom have been credited, at different times, as the unifier of Upper and Lower Egypt. Archaeological existence exists for both possibilities. "The Narmer Palette excavated at Hierakonpolis shows on one side King Narmer wearing the crown of Upper Egypt—the conical white Hedjet—and on the reverse side wearing the crown of Lower Egypt—the red, bowl-shaped Deshret. Meanwhile, an ivory plaque excavated at Naqada bears both the names “Aha” and “Men” (Menes)." There is some evidence that Narmer and Aha were father and son.
By 500 B.C., Menes is mentioned as receiving the throne of Egypt directly from the god Horus. As such, he comes to occupy the role of founding figure much as Remus and Romulus did from ancient Romans.
Archaeologists have come to believe that the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt occurred over the reigns of several kings from the First Dynasty. Menes means "He Who Endures" and may have come to connote all the early kings who work toward unifying Egypt.
"The Greek historian Herodotus, in the fifth century B.C., refers to the first king of a unified Egypt as Min and claims that he was responsible for the draining of the plain of Memphis and founding the Egyptian capital there. It’s easy to see Min and Menes as the same figure." Menes was also credited with introducing the worship of gods and the practice of sacrifice...two of the main hallmarks of early Egyptian civilization. Pliny, the Roman writer, gave credit to Menes for introducing writing to Egypt. Too, his achievements brought an era of royal luxury to Egyptian society, This Menes fellow was quite a guy...whether he was one person or actually several.
Thanks for reading and allowing me to indulge in one of my many interests today. I do hope that you found it of some interest, as well. Don't forget. Tomorrow is Wednesday and that can only mean another lesson from the very wise Dharma Frog. Please stop back by and see what he has to teach me (and you)! Until then, I wish you
PEACE.
"The political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt began around 3500 B.C., thousands of years before historians to write such things down." Egypt was such an ancient civilization that the Greeks and Romans were as far removed from it in time as we are from that them today.
According to Egyptian historian Manetho, who lived in late fourth century B.C., the first ruler of a unified Egypt was Menes. But his identity still remains a mystery even today. There is no mention of Menes in history. Archeologists are unsure if Menes should be called Narmer or Aha, both of whom have been credited, at different times, as the unifier of Upper and Lower Egypt. Archaeological existence exists for both possibilities. "The Narmer Palette excavated at Hierakonpolis shows on one side King Narmer wearing the crown of Upper Egypt—the conical white Hedjet—and on the reverse side wearing the crown of Lower Egypt—the red, bowl-shaped Deshret. Meanwhile, an ivory plaque excavated at Naqada bears both the names “Aha” and “Men” (Menes)." There is some evidence that Narmer and Aha were father and son.
By 500 B.C., Menes is mentioned as receiving the throne of Egypt directly from the god Horus. As such, he comes to occupy the role of founding figure much as Remus and Romulus did from ancient Romans.
Archaeologists have come to believe that the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt occurred over the reigns of several kings from the First Dynasty. Menes means "He Who Endures" and may have come to connote all the early kings who work toward unifying Egypt.
"The Greek historian Herodotus, in the fifth century B.C., refers to the first king of a unified Egypt as Min and claims that he was responsible for the draining of the plain of Memphis and founding the Egyptian capital there. It’s easy to see Min and Menes as the same figure." Menes was also credited with introducing the worship of gods and the practice of sacrifice...two of the main hallmarks of early Egyptian civilization. Pliny, the Roman writer, gave credit to Menes for introducing writing to Egypt. Too, his achievements brought an era of royal luxury to Egyptian society, This Menes fellow was quite a guy...whether he was one person or actually several.
Thanks for reading and allowing me to indulge in one of my many interests today. I do hope that you found it of some interest, as well. Don't forget. Tomorrow is Wednesday and that can only mean another lesson from the very wise Dharma Frog. Please stop back by and see what he has to teach me (and you)! Until then, I wish you
PEACE.
Boddy-Evans, Alistair. "The Story of Menes, the First Pharaoh of Egypt." ThoughtCo, Oct. 16, 2018, thoughtco.com/who-was-the-first-pharaoh-of-egypt-43717.
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