translated by I. P. Cory and E. Richmond Hodge
1828/1832 and 1876
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NOTE |
The Egyptian priest Manetho wrote in the middle of the third century BCE, and he produced a monumental history of Egypt in three volumes, of which only a bare-bones outline and a few excerpts survive. This text has been essential for Egyptologists in reconstructing the dynasties of Egypt, and other elements of the fragments have contributed to debates over the builders of the pyramids, the Exodus from Egypt, and other controversies of Biblical interest.
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OF THE WRITING OF MANETHO.
It remains, therefore, to make certain extracts concerning the dynasties of the Egyptians, from the writings of Manetho, the Sebennyte, the high-priest of the idolatrous temples of Egypt, in the time of Ptolemaeus Philadelphus. These, according to his own account, he copied from the inscriptions which were engraved, in the sacred dialect and hierographic characters, upon the columns set up in the Seriadic land by Thoth, the first Hermes, (Mercury); and after the Flood, were translated from the sacred dialect into the Greek tongue, in hieroglyphic characters, and committed to writing in books, and deposited by Agathodaemon, the son of the second Hermes, the father of Tat, (Taut of the Phoenician mythology), in the penetralia of the temples of Egypt. He has addressed and explained them to Philadelphus, the second king (of Egypt) who bore the name of Ptolemaeus, in the book which he has entitled Sothis, (or the Dog-star).
This epistle is as follows:--
This epistle is as follows:--
The Epistle Of Manetho, [1] the Sebennyte, to Ptolemy Philadelphus.
“To the great and august King, Ptolemy Philadelphus: Manetho, the High-priest and Scribe of the sacred adyta in Egypt, being by birth a Sebennyte and a citizen of Heliopolis, to his sovereign Ptolemy, humbly greeting:
“It is right for us, most mighty King, to pay due attention to all things which it is your pleasure we should take into consideration. In answer, then, to your inquiries concerning the things which shall come to pass in the world, I shall, according to your commands, lay before you what I have gathered from the sacred books written by Hermes Trismegistus, our forefather. Farewell, my Prince and Sovereign.” --Syncel. Chron. 40. --Euseb. Chron. 6.
“It is right for us, most mighty King, to pay due attention to all things which it is your pleasure we should take into consideration. In answer, then, to your inquiries concerning the things which shall come to pass in the world, I shall, according to your commands, lay before you what I have gathered from the sacred books written by Hermes Trismegistus, our forefather. Farewell, my Prince and Sovereign.” --Syncel. Chron. 40. --Euseb. Chron. 6.
THE EGYPTIAN DYNASTIES
The Dynasty of the Demigods.
The 1st of the Egyptian kings was Hephaestus, who reigned 724 and a half years and four days.
The 2nd was Helios (i.e. the Sun), the son of Hephaestus (who reigned) 86 years.
3rd, Agathodaemon, who reigned 56 and a half years and ten days.
4th, Kronus 40 and a half years.
5th, Osiris and Isis, 35 years.
6th, . . . years.
7th, Typhon, 29 years.
8th, Horus, the demigod, 25 years.
6th, Ares, the demigod, 23 years.
10th, Anubis, the demigod, 17 years.
11nth, Heracles the demigod, 15 years.
12th, Apollo, the demigod, 25 years.
13th, Ammon, the demigod, 30 years.
14th, Tithoes, the demigod, 27 years.
15th, Sosus, the demigod, 32 years.
16th, Zeus, the demigod, 20 years. — Syncel. Chron. 19. --Euseb. Chron. 7.
The 2nd was Helios (i.e. the Sun), the son of Hephaestus (who reigned) 86 years.
3rd, Agathodaemon, who reigned 56 and a half years and ten days.
4th, Kronus 40 and a half years.
5th, Osiris and Isis, 35 years.
6th, . . . years.
7th, Typhon, 29 years.
8th, Horus, the demigod, 25 years.
6th, Ares, the demigod, 23 years.
10th, Anubis, the demigod, 17 years.
11nth, Heracles the demigod, 15 years.
12th, Apollo, the demigod, 25 years.
13th, Ammon, the demigod, 30 years.
14th, Tithoes, the demigod, 27 years.
15th, Sosus, the demigod, 32 years.
16th, Zeus, the demigod, 20 years. — Syncel. Chron. 19. --Euseb. Chron. 7.
The Egyptian Dynasties After the Deluge
The First Dynasty.
After the dead demigods, the first dynasty consisted of eight kings.
1. The first was Menes the Thinite; he reigned 62 years, and perished by a wound received from a hippopotamus.
2. Athothis, his son, reigned 57 years; he built the palaces at Memphis, and left the anatomical books, for he was a physician.
3. Kenkenes, his son, reigned 31 years.
4. Venephes, his son, reigned 23 years. In his time a great plague raged through Egypt. He erected the pyramids near Cochome.
5. Usaphaedus, his son, reigned 20 years.
6. Miebidus, his son, reigned 26 years.
7. Semempsis, his son, reigned 18 years. In his reign a terrible pestilence afflicted Egypt.
8. Bieneches, his son, reigned 26 years.
The whole number of years amounted to 253 [or 263, according to the true reckoning].
The Second Dynasty
Consisted of nine Thinite kings.
1. Boethus the First reigned 38 years. During his reign a chasm of the earth opened near Bubastus, and many persons perished.
2. Kaeachos reigned 39 years. Under him the bulls, Apis in Memphis, and Meneus, (Mnevis), in Heliopolis, and the Mendesian goat, were appointed to be gods.
3. Binothris reigned 47 years. In his time it was decided that women might hold the imperial government.
4. Tlas reigned 17 years.
5. Sethenes reigned 41 years.
6. Chaeres {reigned) 17 years.
7. Nephercheres (reigned) 25 years. In his time it is said that the Nile flowed with honey during eleven days.
8. Sesochris, whose height was five cubits and his breadth three, (reigned) 48 years.
9. Cheneres 30 years.
The whole number of years is 302.
The Third Dynasty,
of Nine Memphite Kings.
1. Necherophes reigned 28 years. In his time the Libyans revolted from the Egyptians; but, on account of an unexpected increase of the moon, they surrendered themselves for fear.
2. Tosorthrus reigned 29 years. He is called Asclepius [i.e., Aesculapius], by the Egyptians, for his medical knowledge. He built a house of hewn stones, and greatly patronised writing.
3. Tyris reigned 7 years.
4. Mesochris 17 years.
5. Soiphis [or, Souphis] 16 years.
6. Tosertasis 19 years.
7. Achis [or, Aches] 42 years.
8. Siphuris 30 years.
9. Kerpheres 26 years. Altogether 214 years.
The Fourth Dynasty,
Of eight Memphite kings of a different race.
1. Soris reigned 29 years.
2. Suphis reigned 63 years. He built the largest pyramid, which Herodotus says was constructed by Cheops. He was arrogant toward the gods, and wrote the sacred book; which is regarded by the Egyptians as a work of great importance.
3. Suphis reigned 66 years.
4. Mencheres (Men-ke-ra) 63 years.
5. Ratoeses 25 years.
6. Bicheres 22 years.
7. Sebercheres 7 years.
8. Thamphthis 9 years.
Altogether 274 years [or 284, according to the correct computation.]
The Fifth Dynasty,
Consisting of nine Elephantine kings.
1. Usercheris reigned 28 years.
2. Sephres 13 years.
3. Nephercheres 20 years.
4. Sisiris 7 years.
5. Cheres 20 years.
6. Rathuris 44 years.
7. Mencheres 9 years.
8. Tarcheres [or, Tatcheres] 44 years.
9. Obnos [or, Onnos] 33 years. Altogether 248 years [or, 218 years.]
The Sixth Dynasty,
Consisting of six Memphite kings.
1. Othoes, 30 years, who was killed by his guards.
2. Phius reigned 53 years.
3. Methusuphis 7 years.
4. Phiops, who began to reign at six years of age, and reigned till he had completed his hundredth year.
5. Menthesuphis reigned one year.
6. Nitocris, who was the most handsome woman of her time, of a fair complexion; she built the third pyramid, and reigned 12 years.
Altogether 203 years.
The Seventh Dynasty,
Of seventy Memphite kings, who reigned 70 days.
The Eighth Dynasty,
Of twenty-seven Memphite kings, who reigned 146 years.
The Ninth Dynasty,
Of nineteen Heracleotic kings, who reigned 409 years.
1. The first was Achthoes, the worst of all his predecessors. He did much harm to all the inhabitants of Egypt, was seized with madness, and killed by a crocodile.
The Tenth Dynasty,
Consisting of nineteen Heracleotic kings, who reigned 185 years.
The Eleventh Dynasty,
Consisting of sixteen Diospolite, (or Theban), kings, who reigned 43 years.
Among them Ammenemes, who reigned 16 years.
The sum total of the above-named kings is 192, who reigned 2,308 years and 70 days. --From Syncellus Chronicon, 54 to 59 --Euseb. Chron., 14 and 15.
After the dead demigods, the first dynasty consisted of eight kings.
1. The first was Menes the Thinite; he reigned 62 years, and perished by a wound received from a hippopotamus.
2. Athothis, his son, reigned 57 years; he built the palaces at Memphis, and left the anatomical books, for he was a physician.
3. Kenkenes, his son, reigned 31 years.
4. Venephes, his son, reigned 23 years. In his time a great plague raged through Egypt. He erected the pyramids near Cochome.
5. Usaphaedus, his son, reigned 20 years.
6. Miebidus, his son, reigned 26 years.
7. Semempsis, his son, reigned 18 years. In his reign a terrible pestilence afflicted Egypt.
8. Bieneches, his son, reigned 26 years.
The whole number of years amounted to 253 [or 263, according to the true reckoning].
The Second Dynasty
Consisted of nine Thinite kings.
1. Boethus the First reigned 38 years. During his reign a chasm of the earth opened near Bubastus, and many persons perished.
2. Kaeachos reigned 39 years. Under him the bulls, Apis in Memphis, and Meneus, (Mnevis), in Heliopolis, and the Mendesian goat, were appointed to be gods.
3. Binothris reigned 47 years. In his time it was decided that women might hold the imperial government.
4. Tlas reigned 17 years.
5. Sethenes reigned 41 years.
6. Chaeres {reigned) 17 years.
7. Nephercheres (reigned) 25 years. In his time it is said that the Nile flowed with honey during eleven days.
8. Sesochris, whose height was five cubits and his breadth three, (reigned) 48 years.
9. Cheneres 30 years.
The whole number of years is 302.
The Third Dynasty,
of Nine Memphite Kings.
1. Necherophes reigned 28 years. In his time the Libyans revolted from the Egyptians; but, on account of an unexpected increase of the moon, they surrendered themselves for fear.
2. Tosorthrus reigned 29 years. He is called Asclepius [i.e., Aesculapius], by the Egyptians, for his medical knowledge. He built a house of hewn stones, and greatly patronised writing.
3. Tyris reigned 7 years.
4. Mesochris 17 years.
5. Soiphis [or, Souphis] 16 years.
6. Tosertasis 19 years.
7. Achis [or, Aches] 42 years.
8. Siphuris 30 years.
9. Kerpheres 26 years. Altogether 214 years.
The Fourth Dynasty,
Of eight Memphite kings of a different race.
1. Soris reigned 29 years.
2. Suphis reigned 63 years. He built the largest pyramid, which Herodotus says was constructed by Cheops. He was arrogant toward the gods, and wrote the sacred book; which is regarded by the Egyptians as a work of great importance.
3. Suphis reigned 66 years.
4. Mencheres (Men-ke-ra) 63 years.
5. Ratoeses 25 years.
6. Bicheres 22 years.
7. Sebercheres 7 years.
8. Thamphthis 9 years.
Altogether 274 years [or 284, according to the correct computation.]
The Fifth Dynasty,
Consisting of nine Elephantine kings.
1. Usercheris reigned 28 years.
2. Sephres 13 years.
3. Nephercheres 20 years.
4. Sisiris 7 years.
5. Cheres 20 years.
6. Rathuris 44 years.
7. Mencheres 9 years.
8. Tarcheres [or, Tatcheres] 44 years.
9. Obnos [or, Onnos] 33 years. Altogether 248 years [or, 218 years.]
The Sixth Dynasty,
Consisting of six Memphite kings.
1. Othoes, 30 years, who was killed by his guards.
2. Phius reigned 53 years.
3. Methusuphis 7 years.
4. Phiops, who began to reign at six years of age, and reigned till he had completed his hundredth year.
5. Menthesuphis reigned one year.
6. Nitocris, who was the most handsome woman of her time, of a fair complexion; she built the third pyramid, and reigned 12 years.
Altogether 203 years.
The Seventh Dynasty,
Of seventy Memphite kings, who reigned 70 days.
The Eighth Dynasty,
Of twenty-seven Memphite kings, who reigned 146 years.
The Ninth Dynasty,
Of nineteen Heracleotic kings, who reigned 409 years.
1. The first was Achthoes, the worst of all his predecessors. He did much harm to all the inhabitants of Egypt, was seized with madness, and killed by a crocodile.
The Tenth Dynasty,
Consisting of nineteen Heracleotic kings, who reigned 185 years.
The Eleventh Dynasty,
Consisting of sixteen Diospolite, (or Theban), kings, who reigned 43 years.
Among them Ammenemes, who reigned 16 years.
The sum total of the above-named kings is 192, who reigned 2,308 years and 70 days. --From Syncellus Chronicon, 54 to 59 --Euseb. Chron., 14 and 15.
THE SECOND BOOK OF MANETHO
The Twelfth Dynasty,
Of seven Diospolite, (or Theban), kings.
1. Geson Goses [or, Sesonchosis; or, Sesortosis; or, Sesortosis], the son of Ammanemes. He reigned 46 years.
2. Ammanemes reigned 38 years. He was slain by his eunuchs.
3. Sesostris 41 [or, 48] years. He conquered all Asia in nine years, and Europe as far as Thrace; everywhere erecting monuments of his conquests of those nations; statues of men among nations who acted bravely, but among the degenerate he erected figures of women, engraving their sexual organs upon the pillars. By the Egyptians he is supposed to be the first after Osiris.
4. Lachares 8 years, who built the Labyrinth in Arsenoite [sic] as a tomb for himself.
5. Ammeres reigned 8 years.
6. Ammenemes 8 years.
7. Skemiophris, his sister, 4 years. Altogether 160 years.
The Thirteenth Dynasty
Consisted of 60 Diospolite, (or Theban), kings, whose names are lost. They reigned 453 years (according to the Armenian copy of Eusebius).
The Fourteenth Dynasty.
Consisting of 76 Xoite kings, who ruled 184 [or, 484] years. (The number 484 is from the Armenian version of Eusebius.)
The names are entirely lost.
The Fifteenth [2] Dynasty
Of the Hyk-shos or Shepherd-Kings. There were six foreign, i.e., Phoenician or Canaanitish kings. This dynasty took Memphis, and built a city in the Sethroite nome, whence they made an invasion, and conquered all Egypt. Of these--
1. Saiites [or, Salatis] reigned 19 years, after whom the Saite nome or district is called.
2. Beon [or, Bnon] reigned 44 years.
3. Pachnan [or, Apachnas] 61 years.
4. Staan 50 years.
5. Archies [or, Assis] 49 years.
6. Aphobis [or, Apophis] 61 years. Altogether 284 years.
The Sixteenth Dynasty
Of 32 Grecian shepherds, who reigned 518 years.
The Seventeenth Dynasty
Consisted of 43 shepherd-kings and 43 Thebans, [or, Diospolites.]
The Shepherds and Thebans reigned altogether 151 years.
The Eighteenth Dynasty,
Of sixteen Diospolite, (or, Theban), kings.
1. Amos; in whose time Moses went forth from Egypt, as we have shown.
2. Chebros 13 years.
3. Amenophthis 24 years.
4. Amersis [or, Amensis] 22 years.
5. Misaphris 13 years.
6. Misphragmuthosis 26 years, in whose time the Flood of Deucalion happened.
7. Tuthmosis reigned 9 years.
8. Amenophis 31 years. He is supposed to be the Memnon, to whom the musical statue [3] (in Egypt) was erected.
9. Horus reigned 37 years.
10. Acherrhes [or, Akenchres] 32 years.
11. Rathos [or, Rathotis] 6 years.
12. Chebres 12 years.
13. Acherrhes [or, Akenchres] 12 years.
14. Armesses [or, Armais] 5 years.
15. Ramesses 1 year.
16. Amenoph [or, Amenophath] 19 years. Altogether 263 [or, 259].
The Nineteenth Dynasty,
Consisted of seven Diospolite, (or Theban), kings. 1. Sethos reigned 51 years.
2. Rapsakes [or, Rampses] 61 years.
3. Ammenephthes 20 years.
4. Rameses 60 years.
5. Ammenemnes [or, Ammenemes] 5 years.
6. Thuoris, who is called by Homer, Polybus.
7. Alcandrus, 7 years, in whose time Ilion, (i.e., Troy), was taken.
Altogether 209 years.
In this second book of Manetho are contained 96 kings, and 2121 years. --Syncel. Chron. 59 to 75. —Euseb. Chron. 15 to 17.
Of seven Diospolite, (or Theban), kings.
1. Geson Goses [or, Sesonchosis; or, Sesortosis; or, Sesortosis], the son of Ammanemes. He reigned 46 years.
2. Ammanemes reigned 38 years. He was slain by his eunuchs.
3. Sesostris 41 [or, 48] years. He conquered all Asia in nine years, and Europe as far as Thrace; everywhere erecting monuments of his conquests of those nations; statues of men among nations who acted bravely, but among the degenerate he erected figures of women, engraving their sexual organs upon the pillars. By the Egyptians he is supposed to be the first after Osiris.
4. Lachares 8 years, who built the Labyrinth in Arsenoite [sic] as a tomb for himself.
5. Ammeres reigned 8 years.
6. Ammenemes 8 years.
7. Skemiophris, his sister, 4 years. Altogether 160 years.
The Thirteenth Dynasty
Consisted of 60 Diospolite, (or Theban), kings, whose names are lost. They reigned 453 years (according to the Armenian copy of Eusebius).
The Fourteenth Dynasty.
Consisting of 76 Xoite kings, who ruled 184 [or, 484] years. (The number 484 is from the Armenian version of Eusebius.)
The names are entirely lost.
The Fifteenth [2] Dynasty
Of the Hyk-shos or Shepherd-Kings. There were six foreign, i.e., Phoenician or Canaanitish kings. This dynasty took Memphis, and built a city in the Sethroite nome, whence they made an invasion, and conquered all Egypt. Of these--
1. Saiites [or, Salatis] reigned 19 years, after whom the Saite nome or district is called.
2. Beon [or, Bnon] reigned 44 years.
3. Pachnan [or, Apachnas] 61 years.
4. Staan 50 years.
5. Archies [or, Assis] 49 years.
6. Aphobis [or, Apophis] 61 years. Altogether 284 years.
The Sixteenth Dynasty
Of 32 Grecian shepherds, who reigned 518 years.
The Seventeenth Dynasty
Consisted of 43 shepherd-kings and 43 Thebans, [or, Diospolites.]
The Shepherds and Thebans reigned altogether 151 years.
The Eighteenth Dynasty,
Of sixteen Diospolite, (or, Theban), kings.
1. Amos; in whose time Moses went forth from Egypt, as we have shown.
2. Chebros 13 years.
3. Amenophthis 24 years.
4. Amersis [or, Amensis] 22 years.
5. Misaphris 13 years.
6. Misphragmuthosis 26 years, in whose time the Flood of Deucalion happened.
7. Tuthmosis reigned 9 years.
8. Amenophis 31 years. He is supposed to be the Memnon, to whom the musical statue [3] (in Egypt) was erected.
9. Horus reigned 37 years.
10. Acherrhes [or, Akenchres] 32 years.
11. Rathos [or, Rathotis] 6 years.
12. Chebres 12 years.
13. Acherrhes [or, Akenchres] 12 years.
14. Armesses [or, Armais] 5 years.
15. Ramesses 1 year.
16. Amenoph [or, Amenophath] 19 years. Altogether 263 [or, 259].
The Nineteenth Dynasty,
Consisted of seven Diospolite, (or Theban), kings. 1. Sethos reigned 51 years.
2. Rapsakes [or, Rampses] 61 years.
3. Ammenephthes 20 years.
4. Rameses 60 years.
5. Ammenemnes [or, Ammenemes] 5 years.
6. Thuoris, who is called by Homer, Polybus.
7. Alcandrus, 7 years, in whose time Ilion, (i.e., Troy), was taken.
Altogether 209 years.
In this second book of Manetho are contained 96 kings, and 2121 years. --Syncel. Chron. 59 to 75. —Euseb. Chron. 15 to 17.
THE THIRD BOOK OF MANETHO
The Twentieth Dynasty,
Of 12 Diospolite, (or Theban), kings, who reigned 135 years.
The Twenty-first Dynasty,
Of seven Tanite kings.
1. Smedes [or, Smendes] reigned 26 years.
2. Psusenes, or Psuneses, 46 years.
3. Nephercheres 4 years.
4. Amenophthis 9 years.
5. Osochor 6 years.
6. Psinaches 9 years.
7. Susenes [or, Psusennes] 30 years.
Altogether 130 years.
The Twenty-second Dynasty,
Of nine Bubastite kings.
1. Sesonchis (or Shishak) [4] 21 years.
2. Osoroth [or, Osorthon] 15 years.
3, 4, 5. Three others reigned 25 years.
6. Takellothis [5] 13 years.
7, 8, 9. Three others 42 years.
Altogether reigned 120 years.
The Twenty-Third Dynasty,
Of four Tanite kings.
1. Petoubates reigned 40 years, in whose time the Olympiads began.
2. Osorcho 8 years, whom the Egyptians call Hercules.
3. Psammus 10 years.
4. Zeet 31 years.
Altogether 89 years.
The Twenty-Fourth Dynasty.
Bocchoris, [or Bonchoris], the Saite, reigned 6 years, in whose reign (a miracle occurred), for a sheep spoke.
Total 990 years.
The Twenty-Fifth Dynasty,
Consisted of 3 Ethiopic kings.
1. Sabbakon, who having taken Bocchoris captive, burnt him alive, and reigned 8 years.
2. Sevechus, [6] his son, who reigned 14 years.
3. Tarkos, or Tarakos [Tirhakah], [7] 18 years.
Altogether 40 years.
The Twenty-Sixth Dynasty,
Consisting of 9 Saite kings.
1. Stephinates reigned 7 years.
2. Nechepsos reigned 6 years.
3. Nechao (or Necho) 8 years.
4. Psammitichus 54 years.
5. Nechao, (or Necho), the 2nd reigned 6 years. He took Jerusalem, and carried away captive Joahaz, the king, to Egypt.
6. Psammuthis 6 years.
7. Vaphris (or Hophra) 19 years, to whom the remainder of the Jews fled when Jerusalem was taken by the Assyrians.
8. Amosis 44 years.
9. Psammacherites [8] 6 months. Altogether 150 years and six months.
The Twenty-seventh Dynasty,
Of eight Persian kings.
1. Cambyses reigned over Persia, his own kingdom, 5 years, and over Egypt 6 years.
2. Darius, the son of Hystaspes, 36 years.
3. Xerxes the Great 21 years.
4. Artabanus 7 months. [9]
5. Artaxerxes 41 years.
6. Xerxes 2 months.
7. Sogdianus 7 months.
8. Darius, the son of Xerxes, 19 years. Altogether 124 years and four months.
The Twenty-Eighth Dynasty.
Amyrteos, the Saite, reigned 6 years.
The Twenty-Nith Dynasty,
Consisting of four Mendesian kings.
1. Nepherites reigned 6 years.
2. Achoris 13 years.
3. Psammuthis 1 year.
4. Nephorites 4 months.
5. Muthis 1 year.
Altogether 20 years and four months.
The Thirtieth Dynasty,
Consisting of three Sebennyte kings. 1. Nectanebes reigned 18 years.
2. Teds 2 years.
3. Nectanebos 18 years. Altogether 38 years.
The Thirty-First Dynasty,
Consisting of three Persian kings.
1. (Darius) Ochus, who ruled Persia 20 years and Egypt two years.
2. Arses, or Arses Ochus, (or Artaxerxes), reigned 3 years.
3. Darius 4 years. Altogether 9 years. Total 1,050 years.
From Syncell. Chron. 73 to 78 and Euseb. Chron. 16, 17.
Of 12 Diospolite, (or Theban), kings, who reigned 135 years.
The Twenty-first Dynasty,
Of seven Tanite kings.
1. Smedes [or, Smendes] reigned 26 years.
2. Psusenes, or Psuneses, 46 years.
3. Nephercheres 4 years.
4. Amenophthis 9 years.
5. Osochor 6 years.
6. Psinaches 9 years.
7. Susenes [or, Psusennes] 30 years.
Altogether 130 years.
The Twenty-second Dynasty,
Of nine Bubastite kings.
1. Sesonchis (or Shishak) [4] 21 years.
2. Osoroth [or, Osorthon] 15 years.
3, 4, 5. Three others reigned 25 years.
6. Takellothis [5] 13 years.
7, 8, 9. Three others 42 years.
Altogether reigned 120 years.
The Twenty-Third Dynasty,
Of four Tanite kings.
1. Petoubates reigned 40 years, in whose time the Olympiads began.
2. Osorcho 8 years, whom the Egyptians call Hercules.
3. Psammus 10 years.
4. Zeet 31 years.
Altogether 89 years.
The Twenty-Fourth Dynasty.
Bocchoris, [or Bonchoris], the Saite, reigned 6 years, in whose reign (a miracle occurred), for a sheep spoke.
Total 990 years.
The Twenty-Fifth Dynasty,
Consisted of 3 Ethiopic kings.
1. Sabbakon, who having taken Bocchoris captive, burnt him alive, and reigned 8 years.
2. Sevechus, [6] his son, who reigned 14 years.
3. Tarkos, or Tarakos [Tirhakah], [7] 18 years.
Altogether 40 years.
The Twenty-Sixth Dynasty,
Consisting of 9 Saite kings.
1. Stephinates reigned 7 years.
2. Nechepsos reigned 6 years.
3. Nechao (or Necho) 8 years.
4. Psammitichus 54 years.
5. Nechao, (or Necho), the 2nd reigned 6 years. He took Jerusalem, and carried away captive Joahaz, the king, to Egypt.
6. Psammuthis 6 years.
7. Vaphris (or Hophra) 19 years, to whom the remainder of the Jews fled when Jerusalem was taken by the Assyrians.
8. Amosis 44 years.
9. Psammacherites [8] 6 months. Altogether 150 years and six months.
The Twenty-seventh Dynasty,
Of eight Persian kings.
1. Cambyses reigned over Persia, his own kingdom, 5 years, and over Egypt 6 years.
2. Darius, the son of Hystaspes, 36 years.
3. Xerxes the Great 21 years.
4. Artabanus 7 months. [9]
5. Artaxerxes 41 years.
6. Xerxes 2 months.
7. Sogdianus 7 months.
8. Darius, the son of Xerxes, 19 years. Altogether 124 years and four months.
The Twenty-Eighth Dynasty.
Amyrteos, the Saite, reigned 6 years.
The Twenty-Nith Dynasty,
Consisting of four Mendesian kings.
1. Nepherites reigned 6 years.
2. Achoris 13 years.
3. Psammuthis 1 year.
4. Nephorites 4 months.
5. Muthis 1 year.
Altogether 20 years and four months.
The Thirtieth Dynasty,
Consisting of three Sebennyte kings. 1. Nectanebes reigned 18 years.
2. Teds 2 years.
3. Nectanebos 18 years. Altogether 38 years.
The Thirty-First Dynasty,
Consisting of three Persian kings.
1. (Darius) Ochus, who ruled Persia 20 years and Egypt two years.
2. Arses, or Arses Ochus, (or Artaxerxes), reigned 3 years.
3. Darius 4 years. Altogether 9 years. Total 1,050 years.
From Syncell. Chron. 73 to 78 and Euseb. Chron. 16, 17.
OF THE SHEPHERD KINGS
“We had formerly a king whose name was Timaus. In his time it came to pass, I know not how, that God was displeased with us: and there came up from the East, in a strange manner, men of an ignoble race, who had the confidence to invade our country, and easily subdued it by their power, without a battle. ‘And, when they had our rulers in their hands, they burnt our cities, and demolished the temples of the gods, and inflicted every kind of barbarity upon the inhabitants, slaying some, and reducing the wives and children of others to a state of slavery. At length they made one of themselves king, whose name was Salatis: he lived at Memphis, and rendered both the upper and lower regions of Egypt tributary, and stationed garrisons in places which were best adapted for that purpose. But he directed his attention principally to the security of the eastern frontier; for he regarded with suspicion the increasing power of the Assyrians, who, he foresaw, would one day undertake an invasion of the kingdom. And, observing in the Saite nome, upon the east of the Bubastite channel, a city which from some ancient theological reference was called Avaris; and finding it admirably adapted to his purpose, he rebuilt it, and strongly fortified it with walls, and garrisoned it with a force of two hundred and fifty thousand armed men. To this city Salatis repaired in summer time, to collect his tribute, and pay his troops, and to exercise his soldiers, in order to strike terror into foreigners.
And Salatis died after a reign of nineteen years; after him reigned Beon forty-four years; and he was succeeded by Apachnas, who reigned thirty-six years and seven months; after him reigned Apophis sixty-one years, and Ianias fifty years and one month. After all these reigned Assis forty-nine years and two months. These six were the first rulers amongst them, and, during all the period of their dynasty, they made war upon the Egyptians, in hope of exterminating the whole race. All this nation was styled Hyk-shos, that is, the Shepherd-Kings; for the first syllable, Hyk, according to the sacred dialect, denotes king, and sos signifies a shepherd; but this according to the vulgar tongue; and, of these two words is compounded the term Hyk-shos, whom some say were Arabians. This people, thus denominated Shepherd-Kings, and their descendants retained possession of Egypt for the space of 511 years.
After these things, he (Manetho), relates that the kings of Thebais, and of the other parts of Egypt, made an insurrection against the Shepherds; and, that a long and mighty war was carried on between them, till the Shepherds were subdued by a king whose name was Alisphragmuthosis; and, that they were by him driven out of the rest of Egypt, and shut up within a space containing ten thousand acres, which was called Avaris. All this tract of country, (says Manetho), the Shepherds surrounded with a vast and strong wall, that they might retain all their possessions and their booty within a fortress.
And Thummosis, the son of Alisphragmuthosis, endeavoured to force them by a siege, and beleaguered the place with a body of four hundred and eighty thousand men; but, at the moment when he despaired of reducing them by siege, they agreed to a capitulation, that they would leave Egypt, and should be permitted to go out, without molestation, wheresoever they pleased. And, according to this stipulation, they departed from Egypt with all their families and effects, in number not less than two hundred and forty thousand, and bent their way through the desert towards Syria. But, as they stood in fear of the Assyrians, who had then dominion over Asia, they built a city, in that country which is now called Judaea, of sufficient size to contain this multitude of men, and named it Jerusalem.
(In another book of the Egyptian histories, Manetho says), That this people, who are here called Shepherds, in their sacred books were also styled Captives.
After the departure of this nation of Shepherds to Jerusalem, Tethmosis, the king of Egypt, who drove them out, reigned twenty-five years and four months, and then died; after him his son, Chebron, took the government into his hands for thirteen years; after him reigned Amenophis for twenty years and seven months; then his sister Amesses, 21 years and nine months.
She was succeeded by Mephres, who reigned 12 years and nine months; after him Mephramuthosis, who reigned 25 years and 10 months ; then Thmosis, who reigned nine years and eight months; after whom Amenophis reigned 30 years and 10 months; then Orus (Horus), who reigned 36 and five months; then his daughter Akenchres, who reigned 12 years and one month; and after her, Rathotis for nine years; then Akencheres 12 years and five months, and another Akencheres 12 years and three months; after him, Armais reigned four years and one month; and Ramesses (the Great) one year and four months; then Armesses, (i.e., Ramses), the son of Miammoun, who reigned 66 years and two months; after him Amenophis for 19 years and six months; he was succeeded by Sethosis, who is called Ramesses, who maintained an army of cavalry and a naval force.
This king, (Sethosis), appointed his brother Armais as his viceroy over Egypt. He also invested him with all the other authority of a king, but with the following restrictions, viz.—1st, That he should not wear the crown; 2nd, Nor interfere with the queen, the mother of his children; 3rd, Nor abuse the royal concubines. Sethosis then made an expedition against the island of Cyprus, and Phoenicia, and waged war with the Assyrians and Medes; and he subdued them all, some by force of arms, and others without a blow, by the mere terror of his power. And being puffed up with his success, he advanced still more confidently, and overthrew the cities, and subdued the countries of the East.
But Armais, who was left in Egypt, took advantage of the opportunity, and fearlessly committed all those acts which his brother had enjoined him not to do; he violated the queen, and continued an unrestrained intercourse with the concubines, and, at the persuasion of his friends, he assumed the diadem, and openly opposed his brother.
But the ruler over the priests of Egypt sent to Sethosis, and informed him of what had happened, and how his brother had set himself up in opposition to his power. Upon this Sethosis immediately returned to Pelusium, and recovered his kingdom. The country of Egypt took its name from Sethosis, who was called also Ægyptus, as was his brother Armais known by the name of Danaus.” [10]
--Joseph, contr. Ap. lib. I. c. 14, 15.
And Salatis died after a reign of nineteen years; after him reigned Beon forty-four years; and he was succeeded by Apachnas, who reigned thirty-six years and seven months; after him reigned Apophis sixty-one years, and Ianias fifty years and one month. After all these reigned Assis forty-nine years and two months. These six were the first rulers amongst them, and, during all the period of their dynasty, they made war upon the Egyptians, in hope of exterminating the whole race. All this nation was styled Hyk-shos, that is, the Shepherd-Kings; for the first syllable, Hyk, according to the sacred dialect, denotes king, and sos signifies a shepherd; but this according to the vulgar tongue; and, of these two words is compounded the term Hyk-shos, whom some say were Arabians. This people, thus denominated Shepherd-Kings, and their descendants retained possession of Egypt for the space of 511 years.
After these things, he (Manetho), relates that the kings of Thebais, and of the other parts of Egypt, made an insurrection against the Shepherds; and, that a long and mighty war was carried on between them, till the Shepherds were subdued by a king whose name was Alisphragmuthosis; and, that they were by him driven out of the rest of Egypt, and shut up within a space containing ten thousand acres, which was called Avaris. All this tract of country, (says Manetho), the Shepherds surrounded with a vast and strong wall, that they might retain all their possessions and their booty within a fortress.
And Thummosis, the son of Alisphragmuthosis, endeavoured to force them by a siege, and beleaguered the place with a body of four hundred and eighty thousand men; but, at the moment when he despaired of reducing them by siege, they agreed to a capitulation, that they would leave Egypt, and should be permitted to go out, without molestation, wheresoever they pleased. And, according to this stipulation, they departed from Egypt with all their families and effects, in number not less than two hundred and forty thousand, and bent their way through the desert towards Syria. But, as they stood in fear of the Assyrians, who had then dominion over Asia, they built a city, in that country which is now called Judaea, of sufficient size to contain this multitude of men, and named it Jerusalem.
(In another book of the Egyptian histories, Manetho says), That this people, who are here called Shepherds, in their sacred books were also styled Captives.
After the departure of this nation of Shepherds to Jerusalem, Tethmosis, the king of Egypt, who drove them out, reigned twenty-five years and four months, and then died; after him his son, Chebron, took the government into his hands for thirteen years; after him reigned Amenophis for twenty years and seven months; then his sister Amesses, 21 years and nine months.
She was succeeded by Mephres, who reigned 12 years and nine months; after him Mephramuthosis, who reigned 25 years and 10 months ; then Thmosis, who reigned nine years and eight months; after whom Amenophis reigned 30 years and 10 months; then Orus (Horus), who reigned 36 and five months; then his daughter Akenchres, who reigned 12 years and one month; and after her, Rathotis for nine years; then Akencheres 12 years and five months, and another Akencheres 12 years and three months; after him, Armais reigned four years and one month; and Ramesses (the Great) one year and four months; then Armesses, (i.e., Ramses), the son of Miammoun, who reigned 66 years and two months; after him Amenophis for 19 years and six months; he was succeeded by Sethosis, who is called Ramesses, who maintained an army of cavalry and a naval force.
This king, (Sethosis), appointed his brother Armais as his viceroy over Egypt. He also invested him with all the other authority of a king, but with the following restrictions, viz.—1st, That he should not wear the crown; 2nd, Nor interfere with the queen, the mother of his children; 3rd, Nor abuse the royal concubines. Sethosis then made an expedition against the island of Cyprus, and Phoenicia, and waged war with the Assyrians and Medes; and he subdued them all, some by force of arms, and others without a blow, by the mere terror of his power. And being puffed up with his success, he advanced still more confidently, and overthrew the cities, and subdued the countries of the East.
But Armais, who was left in Egypt, took advantage of the opportunity, and fearlessly committed all those acts which his brother had enjoined him not to do; he violated the queen, and continued an unrestrained intercourse with the concubines, and, at the persuasion of his friends, he assumed the diadem, and openly opposed his brother.
But the ruler over the priests of Egypt sent to Sethosis, and informed him of what had happened, and how his brother had set himself up in opposition to his power. Upon this Sethosis immediately returned to Pelusium, and recovered his kingdom. The country of Egypt took its name from Sethosis, who was called also Ægyptus, as was his brother Armais known by the name of Danaus.” [10]
--Joseph, contr. Ap. lib. I. c. 14, 15.
OF THE ISRAELITES
“This king, (Amenophis), was desirous of beholding the gods, since Horus, one of his predecessors in the kingdom had seen them. He communicated his desire to a priest of the same name with himself, Amenophis, the son of Papis; one who seemed to partake of the divine nature, both in his wisdom and in his knowledge of futurity.
Amenophis returned him for answer, that he might behold the gods if he would cleanse the land of all lepers, and other unclean persons that were in it. Well pleased with this information, the king gathered together out of the land of Egypt all that laboured under any defect of body, to the number of 80,000, and sent them to the quarries, (in the Mafra, or, Sinaitic peninsula), which are situated on the east side of the Nile, that they might work in them, and be separated from the rest of the Egyptians.
And he, (Manetho), says, there were among them some learned priests who were (also) infected with the leprosy. And Amenophis, the wise man and prophet, fearing lest the vengeance of the gods should fall, both on himself and on the king, should it appear that violence had been used towards them, added this also in a prophetic spirit;—that certain people would come to the assistance of these polluted wretches, and would subdue Egypt, and hold it in possession for thirteen years. These tidings however he dared not to communicate to the king, but left in writing an account of what should come to pass, and destroyed himself; at which the king was fearfully distressed.
‘(After which, he writes thus, word for word): When those that were sent to work in the quarries had continued for some time in that miserable state, the king was petitioned to set apart for their habitation and protection the city Avaris, which had been left desolate by the Shepherds; and he granted them their desire: now this city, according to the ancient theology, is a Typhonian [11] city.
When these men had taken possession of the city, and found it well adapted for a revolt, they appointed over themselves a ruler out of the priests of Heliopolis, [12] one whose name was Osarsiph, [13] and they bound themselves by oath that they would be obedient. Osarsiph then, in the first place enacted this law, that they should neither worship the [Egyptian] gods, nor abstain from {eating) any of those sacred animals which the Egyptians hold in the highest veneration, but sacrifice and slay them all; and that they should connect themselves with none but such as were of that confederacy. When he had made such laws as these, and many others of a tendency directly in opposition to the customs of the Egyptians, he gave orders that they should employ the multitude of hands in rebuilding the walls about the city (Avaris), and hold themselves in readiness for war with Amenophis the king; whilst he (Osarsiph) took into his confidence and counsels some others of the priests and unclean persons. He then sent ambassadors to the city called Jerusalem; to those Shepherds who had been expelled by Tethmosis, [14] whereby he informed them of the affairs of himself, and of the others who had been treated in the same ignominious manner, and requested they would come with one consent, to his assistance in this war against Egypt. He also promised in the first place to reinstate them in their ancient city and country, Avaris, and provide a plentiful maintenance for their numerous host, and fight for them as occasion might require. He informed them, moreover, that they could easily reduce the land (of Egypt) under their dominion. The Shepherds received this message with the greatest joy, and quickly mustered to the number of 200,000 men, and came up to Avaris. Now Amenophis, king of Egypt, when he was informed of their invasion, was in great consternation, remembering the prophecy of Amenophis, the son of Papis, and he assembled the armies of the Egyptians, and took counsel with the leaders, and commanded the sacred animals to be brought to him, especially those which were held in the greatest veneration in the temples, and particularly charged the priests to conceal the images of their gods with the utmost care. And his son Sethos, who was also called Ramesses from his father Rampses, being but five years old he committed to the protection of a friend. And he marched with the rest of the Egyptians, being three hundred thousand warriors, against the enemy, who advanced to meet him; but he did not attack them, thinking it would be to wage war against the gods, but he returned, and came again to Memphis, where he took Apis, (the sacred bull), and the other sacred animals he had sent for, and retreated immediately into Ethiopia, together with all his army, and all the multitude of the Egyptians: for the king of Ethiopia was under obligations to him, wherefore he received him kindly, and took care of all the multitude that was with him, while the country supplied all that was necessary for their food. He also allotted to him cities and villages during his exile, which was to continue from its beginning during the predestined thirteen years. Moreover, he pitched a camp for an Ethiopian army upon the borders of Egypt, as a protection to king Amenophis.
While such was the state of things in Ethiopia, the people of Jerusalem, having come down in company with the unclean of the Egyptians, treated the inhabitants with such barbarity that those who witnessed their impieties believed that their joint sway was more execrable than that which the Shepherds (alone) had formerly exercised. They not only set fire to the cities and villages, but committed every kind of sacrilege, and destroyed the images of the gods, and roasted and fed upon those sacred animals that were worshipped; and having compelled the priests and prophets to kill and sacrifice them, they cast them naked out of the country.
It is also said that the priest who ordained their polity and laws was by birth a native of Heliopolis, and that he was named Osarsiph, from Osiris, the god venerated at Heliopolis. He adds, however, that when he went over to these people his name was changed, and he was called Moyses (Mouses or Moses). Manetho again says, ‘after this Amenophis returned from Ethiopia with a great force, and Rampses his son also, with other forces, and encountering the Shepherds and the unclean people, they defeated them, and slew multitudes of them, and pursued the remainder to the borders of Syria (Judea).’”
--From Josephus against Apion. Book i., cap. 27.
Amenophis returned him for answer, that he might behold the gods if he would cleanse the land of all lepers, and other unclean persons that were in it. Well pleased with this information, the king gathered together out of the land of Egypt all that laboured under any defect of body, to the number of 80,000, and sent them to the quarries, (in the Mafra, or, Sinaitic peninsula), which are situated on the east side of the Nile, that they might work in them, and be separated from the rest of the Egyptians.
And he, (Manetho), says, there were among them some learned priests who were (also) infected with the leprosy. And Amenophis, the wise man and prophet, fearing lest the vengeance of the gods should fall, both on himself and on the king, should it appear that violence had been used towards them, added this also in a prophetic spirit;—that certain people would come to the assistance of these polluted wretches, and would subdue Egypt, and hold it in possession for thirteen years. These tidings however he dared not to communicate to the king, but left in writing an account of what should come to pass, and destroyed himself; at which the king was fearfully distressed.
‘(After which, he writes thus, word for word): When those that were sent to work in the quarries had continued for some time in that miserable state, the king was petitioned to set apart for their habitation and protection the city Avaris, which had been left desolate by the Shepherds; and he granted them their desire: now this city, according to the ancient theology, is a Typhonian [11] city.
When these men had taken possession of the city, and found it well adapted for a revolt, they appointed over themselves a ruler out of the priests of Heliopolis, [12] one whose name was Osarsiph, [13] and they bound themselves by oath that they would be obedient. Osarsiph then, in the first place enacted this law, that they should neither worship the [Egyptian] gods, nor abstain from {eating) any of those sacred animals which the Egyptians hold in the highest veneration, but sacrifice and slay them all; and that they should connect themselves with none but such as were of that confederacy. When he had made such laws as these, and many others of a tendency directly in opposition to the customs of the Egyptians, he gave orders that they should employ the multitude of hands in rebuilding the walls about the city (Avaris), and hold themselves in readiness for war with Amenophis the king; whilst he (Osarsiph) took into his confidence and counsels some others of the priests and unclean persons. He then sent ambassadors to the city called Jerusalem; to those Shepherds who had been expelled by Tethmosis, [14] whereby he informed them of the affairs of himself, and of the others who had been treated in the same ignominious manner, and requested they would come with one consent, to his assistance in this war against Egypt. He also promised in the first place to reinstate them in their ancient city and country, Avaris, and provide a plentiful maintenance for their numerous host, and fight for them as occasion might require. He informed them, moreover, that they could easily reduce the land (of Egypt) under their dominion. The Shepherds received this message with the greatest joy, and quickly mustered to the number of 200,000 men, and came up to Avaris. Now Amenophis, king of Egypt, when he was informed of their invasion, was in great consternation, remembering the prophecy of Amenophis, the son of Papis, and he assembled the armies of the Egyptians, and took counsel with the leaders, and commanded the sacred animals to be brought to him, especially those which were held in the greatest veneration in the temples, and particularly charged the priests to conceal the images of their gods with the utmost care. And his son Sethos, who was also called Ramesses from his father Rampses, being but five years old he committed to the protection of a friend. And he marched with the rest of the Egyptians, being three hundred thousand warriors, against the enemy, who advanced to meet him; but he did not attack them, thinking it would be to wage war against the gods, but he returned, and came again to Memphis, where he took Apis, (the sacred bull), and the other sacred animals he had sent for, and retreated immediately into Ethiopia, together with all his army, and all the multitude of the Egyptians: for the king of Ethiopia was under obligations to him, wherefore he received him kindly, and took care of all the multitude that was with him, while the country supplied all that was necessary for their food. He also allotted to him cities and villages during his exile, which was to continue from its beginning during the predestined thirteen years. Moreover, he pitched a camp for an Ethiopian army upon the borders of Egypt, as a protection to king Amenophis.
While such was the state of things in Ethiopia, the people of Jerusalem, having come down in company with the unclean of the Egyptians, treated the inhabitants with such barbarity that those who witnessed their impieties believed that their joint sway was more execrable than that which the Shepherds (alone) had formerly exercised. They not only set fire to the cities and villages, but committed every kind of sacrilege, and destroyed the images of the gods, and roasted and fed upon those sacred animals that were worshipped; and having compelled the priests and prophets to kill and sacrifice them, they cast them naked out of the country.
It is also said that the priest who ordained their polity and laws was by birth a native of Heliopolis, and that he was named Osarsiph, from Osiris, the god venerated at Heliopolis. He adds, however, that when he went over to these people his name was changed, and he was called Moyses (Mouses or Moses). Manetho again says, ‘after this Amenophis returned from Ethiopia with a great force, and Rampses his son also, with other forces, and encountering the Shepherds and the unclean people, they defeated them, and slew multitudes of them, and pursued the remainder to the borders of Syria (Judea).’”
--From Josephus against Apion. Book i., cap. 27.
NOTES
[1] This Epistle is now generally regarded as that of the pseudo-Manetho; not the Manetho who wrote the lists of kings, but one who assumed and abused his name.
[2] This is the Seventeenth Dynasty according to Eusebius.
[3] The researches of Pococke and Hamilton have long since proved this to be the Memnon of the Ancients, while the hieroglyphic labours of Champollion have established the claims of Amenoph to the statues he erected.
[4] See 1 Kings xi. 40.
[5] Perhaps Tiglath Pileser, king of Assyria, or some one ruling as a tributary to the Assyrian monarch.
[6] Called So, or Seve, in 2 Kings xvii. 4.
[7] 2 Kings xix. 9.
[8] Eusebius omits the last king, and inserts Ammeres at the beginning as the first.
[9] Eusebius omits Artabanus, and between Cambyses and Darius places the Magi, with a reign of seven months.
[10] Danaus was the first king of the Argives.
[11] Typhon was the Ahriman, or Satan, of the Egyptian theology. “Down to the time of Rameses, B.C. 1300, he was one of the most venerated and powerful gods. After about 970 B.C. he was regarded as the foe of Osiris and all the gods of Egypt.”—Bunsen’s Egypt’s Place, vol. i., p. 456.
[12] Called On in Genesis xli. 45, 50; An in Egyptian.
[13] By Osarsiph he means Moses, the Jewish lawgiver and deliverer.
[14] Tethmosis was a sovereign of the 18th dynasty, according to Eusebius.
[2] This is the Seventeenth Dynasty according to Eusebius.
[3] The researches of Pococke and Hamilton have long since proved this to be the Memnon of the Ancients, while the hieroglyphic labours of Champollion have established the claims of Amenoph to the statues he erected.
[4] See 1 Kings xi. 40.
[5] Perhaps Tiglath Pileser, king of Assyria, or some one ruling as a tributary to the Assyrian monarch.
[6] Called So, or Seve, in 2 Kings xvii. 4.
[7] 2 Kings xix. 9.
[8] Eusebius omits the last king, and inserts Ammeres at the beginning as the first.
[9] Eusebius omits Artabanus, and between Cambyses and Darius places the Magi, with a reign of seven months.
[10] Danaus was the first king of the Argives.
[11] Typhon was the Ahriman, or Satan, of the Egyptian theology. “Down to the time of Rameses, B.C. 1300, he was one of the most venerated and powerful gods. After about 970 B.C. he was regarded as the foe of Osiris and all the gods of Egypt.”—Bunsen’s Egypt’s Place, vol. i., p. 456.
[12] Called On in Genesis xli. 45, 50; An in Egyptian.
[13] By Osarsiph he means Moses, the Jewish lawgiver and deliverer.
[14] Tethmosis was a sovereign of the 18th dynasty, according to Eusebius.
THE EPITOME OF MANETHO FROM THE EXCERPTS IN BAD LATIN
translated from the Greek (c. 500) for the Merovingian Kings (c. 750)
Of all kingdoms, we find that of the Egyptians to be the most ancient; of whose beginning we purpose to write, according to the relation of Manetho.
The first dynasty was that of the Gods, who are classed by themselves; and I reckon their reigns thus:
Some say the God Ifestus reigned in Egypt 680 years. After him, the Sun, the son of Ifestus, 77 years. After him, Osinosiris, 420 years. After him, Oros Stoliarchus, 28 years. After him, Typhon, 45 years. The sum of the reigns of the Gods amounts to 1550 years.
Then succeeds the kingdom of the Demi-gods, thus: First reigned Anubes Amusira, who composed the writings of the Egyptians, 83 years. After him, Apion Grammaticus, who reigned 77 years. In his reign commenced the kingdom of Argos, under Inachus. Afterwards, the kings of the Encynii, by whom must be understood the Demi-gods. They reigned 2100 years. This is the end of the first volume of Manetho, which contains a period of 2100 years.
Mireus and seven of his descendants reigned 253 years. Then reigned eight others 302 years. Necherocheus and eight others reigned 214 years. Likewise seventeen others, 214 years. Likewise twenty-one others, 258 years. Othoi and seven others, 203 years. Likewise fourteen others, 140 years. Likewise twenty others, 409 years. Likewise seven others, 204 years. Dynasty of Diospolites, 9 years. Dynasty of Bubastites, 153 years. Dynasty of Tanites, 184 years. Dynasty of Sebennites, 224 years. Dynasty of Memphites, 318 years. Dynasty of Iliopolites, 221 years. Dynasty of Ermupolites, 260 years.
The second volume enumerates to the 17th dynasty, and contains a period of 1520 years.
These are the Dynasties of Egypt.
-- Excerpta Latini Barbari, fol. 38a.
The first dynasty was that of the Gods, who are classed by themselves; and I reckon their reigns thus:
Some say the God Ifestus reigned in Egypt 680 years. After him, the Sun, the son of Ifestus, 77 years. After him, Osinosiris, 420 years. After him, Oros Stoliarchus, 28 years. After him, Typhon, 45 years. The sum of the reigns of the Gods amounts to 1550 years.
Then succeeds the kingdom of the Demi-gods, thus: First reigned Anubes Amusira, who composed the writings of the Egyptians, 83 years. After him, Apion Grammaticus, who reigned 77 years. In his reign commenced the kingdom of Argos, under Inachus. Afterwards, the kings of the Encynii, by whom must be understood the Demi-gods. They reigned 2100 years. This is the end of the first volume of Manetho, which contains a period of 2100 years.
Mireus and seven of his descendants reigned 253 years. Then reigned eight others 302 years. Necherocheus and eight others reigned 214 years. Likewise seventeen others, 214 years. Likewise twenty-one others, 258 years. Othoi and seven others, 203 years. Likewise fourteen others, 140 years. Likewise twenty others, 409 years. Likewise seven others, 204 years. Dynasty of Diospolites, 9 years. Dynasty of Bubastites, 153 years. Dynasty of Tanites, 184 years. Dynasty of Sebennites, 224 years. Dynasty of Memphites, 318 years. Dynasty of Iliopolites, 221 years. Dynasty of Ermupolites, 260 years.
The second volume enumerates to the 17th dynasty, and contains a period of 1520 years.
These are the Dynasties of Egypt.
-- Excerpta Latini Barbari, fol. 38a.
Sources: I. P. Corey, Ancient Fragments, 2nd ed. (London: William Pickering, 1832), 94-135, 169-181 and E. Richmond Hodge, Cory’s Ancient Fragments (London: Reeves & Turner, 1876), 109-135.
