The Tenth Dynasty of ancient Egypt (Dynasty X) is often combined with the 7th, 8th, 9th and early 11th Dynasties under the First Intermediate Period.
Rulers of the Tenth Dynasty of Ancient Egypt
Egypt was not unified then, and there is some overlap between these and other local dynasties. The 9th Dynasty was founded at Herakleopolis Magna, and the 10th Dynasty continued there. The Turin Canon lists eighteen kings for this royal line, but their names are damaged, unidentifiable, or lost.
The following is a possible list of rulers of the Tenth Dynasty based on the Turin Canon, as Egyptologists have differing opinions about the order of succession within the two dynasties. Among them, only Wahkare Khety and Merykare are undoubtedly attested by archaeological finds:
| Name |
|---|
| Meryhathor |
| Neferkare VIII |
| Wahkare Khety |
| Merikare |
| [name lost] |
Meryhathor
Regarded as the Dynasty’s founder, Meryhathor should have begun his reign in c. 2130 BCE. His name is not mentioned in the Turin King List. Still, Djehutynakht II, a nomarch of the Hare nome residing in Hermopolis, ordered an ink graffito mentioning Meryhathor in the alabaster quarries at Hatnub: this is so far the only attestation of this king.
Neferkare VIII
The praenomen “Neferkare” suggests he considered himself a legitimate successor of Pepi II Neferkare of the 6th Dynasty, much like the many namesake Memphite kings of the Eighth Dynasty. He likely was the eighth king to bear this name – hence the “VIII” – although many of his predecessors are sometimes called by a combination of their praenomen and nomen (for example, Neferkare Tereru or Neferkare Khendu).
Wahkare Khety
The identity of Wahkare Khety is controversial. While some scholars believe that he was the founder of the 9th Dynasty, many others place him in the subsequent 10th Dynasty.
Merikare
Merikare (also Merykare and Merykara) was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the 10th Dynasty who lived toward the end of the First Intermediate Period.
Purportedly inspired by his father’s teaching, he embarked on a semi-peaceful coexistence policy with his southern rivals of the 11th Dynasty, focusing on improving the prosperity of his realm centred on Heracleopolis instead of waging an open war with Thebes. His policy was not rewarded, and shortly after his death, his kingdom was conquered by the Theban Mentuhotep II, marking the beginning of the Middle Kingdom. The existence of his pyramid has historically been ascertained, although it has not yet been discovered.
