It is important to note that the Seventh Dynasty of Egypt is often considered a troubled and obscure period in Egyptian history. Due to the lack of historical and archaeological sources, it is difficult to give precise details about this period. However, I will try to provide you with as much information as possible.
The dark period of Egyptian history
The VIIth dynasty is part of the First Intermediate Period of Egypt, taking place approximately between 2181 and 2160 BC. This period was marked by political and economic decline, as well as by a fragmentation of central power. The stability and prosperity of the Old Kingdom was gone, giving way to infighting and the collapse of royal authority.
The enigmatic rulers
Due to the lack of archaeological evidence, little is known about the rulers of the Seventh Dynasty. Some scholars estimate there may have been as many as 70 pharaohs during this short time, while others believe the number was much lower. Among the rare names of pharaohs that have come down to us, we find Netjerkare Siptah et Menkare. However, their reigns and accomplishments remain largely unknown.
The decline of royal authority
One of the most striking aspects of the Seventh Dynasty is the decline of royal authority. The fragmentation of power led to a series of weak and weak pharaohs, unable to maintain order and stability in the country. The provincial governors, called nomarchs, took advantage of this situation to strengthen their power and their wealth at the expense of the monarchy.
The end of the Seventh Dynasty
The end of the Seventh Dynasty is also difficult to determine due to lack of evidence. The period is generally thought to have ended with the emergence of the Eighth Dynasty, which saw some restoration of royal authority and the reunification of the country. Nevertheless, the First Intermediate Period left an indelible imprint on Egyptian history, bearing witness to the challenges and power struggles that characterized that troubled time.
In conclusion, the Seventh Dynasty of Egypt remains a poorly understood period of Egyptian history. Fragmentary accounts and limited evidence make it difficult to reconstruct a clear and accurate picture of this era. Nevertheless, the Seventh Dynasty remains an important testimony to the ups and downs of Egyptian history and the complexity of ancient civilization.
List of Pharaohs of the Seventh Dynasty:
📋 LIST OF EGYPTIAN SOVEREIGNS 📋
Hotepsekhemwey / Sneferka / Nebra / ninetjer / Senedj / Noubnefer / Horus Ba / Peribsen / Sekhemib / Khasekhemwy / Neferkasokar / | |||
Djoser / Sanakht / Sekhemkhet / Spoon / Huni | |||
Sekhemre-Khutaouy Amenemhat-/Sobekhotep I/Sekhemkare Amenemhat-Senbef/Sekhemkare Amenemhat V/Ameny-Qemaou/Hotepibre Qémaou-Sa-Hornejhéritef/Ioufeni/Séânkhibrê Amény-Antef-Amenemhat (or Amenemhat VI)/Semenkarê Nebnoun/Sehotepibrê Sousekhtaouy | |||
Sekhaenre Yakbim/Nebuuserre Yaammou/Khauserre Qareh | |||
Semqen/Aper-Anat/Sakir-Har/Khyan/Apophis I/Apophis II?/Khamoudy | |||
/Sekhemre-Sementaouy Djehouty/Sekhemre-Sousertaouy Sobekhotep VIII | |||
Twenty-first dynasty | |||
Twenty-second dynasty | |||
Twenty-third dynasty | |||
Twenty-fourth dynasty | |||
1st Persian Dynasty | |||
Thirty-first dynasty (Achaemenid) | 2nd Persian Dynasty | ||