Menes the 1st Pharaoh
King Menes is shrouded in mystery that may be lost in the
folds of history forever. He is considered by many scholars
to be the first pharaoh to rule Egypt and the first pharaoh
of the Dynasty I period. He is also thought to be the
Pharaoh Narmer; however, there is no definitive evidence one
way or the other. Today, it still remains unclear as to
whether these two names represent one or two persons. Dates
of King Menes' reign also range widely, but there is a fair
amount of consensus that his reign was between c. 3000 B.C.
and c. 3100 B.C. It is thought that he ruled for over 60
years.
Also under debate, but still generally accepted, is the fact that King Menes succeeded in uniting Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt making him the first pharaoh of both kingdoms. If this is true, he would be responsible for ushering in the First Dynasty.
Ancient Texts Name King Menes the First Human King
Also under debate, but still generally accepted, is the fact that King Menes succeeded in uniting Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt making him the first pharaoh of both kingdoms. If this is true, he would be responsible for ushering in the First Dynasty.
Ancient Texts Name King Menes the First Human King
Probably one of the most interesting pieces of information
that has come down to us through the ages is that King Memes
appears in documentation after the Fifth Dynasty as the
first human ruler of Egypt. It is noted that he inherited
the throne and crown of Egypt from the falcon-headed god,
Horus.
Horus is one of the most powerful and significant gods in Ancient Egyptian religion. He appears to be one of the very oldest gods that was worshipped from the late Egyptian Predynastic Period until Greco-Roman times.
Horus is one of the most powerful and significant gods in Ancient Egyptian religion. He appears to be one of the very oldest gods that was worshipped from the late Egyptian Predynastic Period until Greco-Roman times.
The King's Family
Equally shrouded in mystery is King Menes' family. It is
suggested that he united Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt by
marrying into the family of a southern royal family. This
marriage, supposedly, was occurring at the same time as he
was claiming the throne of the southern "Falcon kings" and
assuming their god and their rituals. He informed those
around him that he had been given the kingship by Horus, the
god himself.
City of Memphis
City of Memphis
Menes built the city of Men-nofre, or Memphis from which the
English name Egypt is derived. The original name, Hikuptah,
means "home of the soul of Ptah." Menes built this city on
an earlier site known as the White Wall, located in the
center of the White Kingdom, or the Upper Kingdom. It was
built on the west side of the Nile only a few miles from
present day Cairo. This city was built here to take
advantage of the northern breezes from the Mediterranean
that blew across the otherwise desert land of Egypt.
In order to have the city exactly where he wanted it, King Menes built Memphis on the Nile's flood plain. In order to have it on the flood plain and still avoid the water overflow, he constructed a gigantic dam that would divert the annual inundating floods that made the Nile delta so fertile.
In order to have the city exactly where he wanted it, King Menes built Memphis on the Nile's flood plain. In order to have it on the flood plain and still avoid the water overflow, he constructed a gigantic dam that would divert the annual inundating floods that made the Nile delta so fertile.
Worship and Rituals
Menes established worship in his new city, as well as
manners and graces of decoration and refined tastes. He
taught the residents of Memphis to cover their tables and
couches with beautiful and lavish cloths. He has been noted
as the first person to introduce the idea of elegant,
sumptuous living. These dramatic changes in the way of life
seem almost as if they were a gift of the gods bestowed upon
humanity.
Memes built the temple of Ptah, who was considered the potter and craftsman of the gods. It was believed that Ptah dreamt creation through his heart, and when he spoke it, the world came into being. Ptah then in turn created Atum to watch over his creation; although, this is in conflict with other sources that state Atum was self-created.
Memes built the temple of Ptah, who was considered the potter and craftsman of the gods. It was believed that Ptah dreamt creation through his heart, and when he spoke it, the world came into being. Ptah then in turn created Atum to watch over his creation; although, this is in conflict with other sources that state Atum was self-created.
Advances in Technology and Government
Having Upper and Lower Egypt united and further establishing its
culture, as well as having Memphis strategically located in the
most fertile place in all of Egypt, King Menes and his subjects
amassed surpluses of food. This no doubt, had a huge influence
upon the advancement of technology and government that continued
for approximately 1,000 years. Security, stability, good
nutrition, and luxury all contributed to this advancement. The
trade of food throughout the Mediterranean brought yet more
opulence to Memphis.
Crocodile Story or Myth
Crocodile Story or Myth
The story of the Pharaoh Menes being attacked by his own dogs
whil
hunting and then being saved after climbing upon the back
of a crocodile is most notably a myth; however, it is said that
due to this incident Pharaoh Menes then founded the City of
Crocodilopolis in order to give thanks. Scholars translate this
story as allegory.e
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