Menes

Egyptian History Early Dynasty Home

menes
Rulec 3000 BC.
PredecessorFather Narmer (presumed)
MotherNiethotep, wife of Narmer
Nomen (meaning of name)Established
Alternate NamesMeni
Dynasty1st
ConsortsBerenib
Neithotepe
Capital cityMemphis
AchievementsUnification of Egypt
BurialSaqqara
SuccesorSon Djer out of Queen Neithotepe
  • Menes was the first Pharaoh of Egypt, and the founding Pharaoh of the 1st Dynasty.
  • The most important political event in ancient Egyptian history was the unification of the two lands by Menes. With the emergence of a strong, centralized government under a god-Pharaoh, the country's nascent economic and political institutions became subject to royal authority. The central government, either directly or through major officials, became the employer of soldiers, retainers, bureaucrats, and artisans whose goods and services benefited the upper classes and the state gods.
  • Ancient Egypt's most predominant form of civilization began with his crowning, and did not end permanently until the beginning of the Roman era, which started with Augustus Caesar.
  • Menes founded the city of Memphis , and chose as its location an island in the Nile, so that it would be easy to defend.
  • He was also the founder of Crocodopolis.
  • During his time, the Egyptian army performed raids against Nubia in the south and expanded his sphere of influence as far as the First Cataract.
  • His death is a mystery, for, according to legend he was attacked by wild dogs and Nile crocodiles in Fayum . Menes' tomb resides at Saqqara, the famed necropolis of Memphis. He died at the age of Sixty Three.

    Page last updated: 15 Feb 2008
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