The Thirteenth Dynasty of ancient Egypt (notated Dynasty XIII) is often combined with Dynasties XI, XII and XIV under the group title of the Middle Kingdom. Some writers separate it from these dynasties and join it to Dynasties XIV through XVII as part of the Second Intermediate Period. Dynasty XIII lasted from approximately 1803 BC until about 1649 BC, i.e. for 154 years.
According to Kim S. B. Ryholt, the 13th Dynasty was a continuation through a female line of the preceding 12th Dynasty, with its first pharaoh, Sobekhotep I, a son of queen regnant Sobekneferu and her husband Amenemhat and not a son of Amenemhat IV, as often stated. Amenemhat IV, in reality, died childlessly. Kim Ryholt proposes that the distinction between the two dynasties reflects the rise of the independent 14th Dynasty in the eastern Delta, an event which, he suggests, occurred during Sobekneferu‘s reign. As direct heirs to the kings of the 12th Dynasty, pharaohs of the 13th Dynasty reigned from Memphis over Middle and Upper Egypt to the second cataract to the south. The power of the 13th Dynasty waned progressively over its 150 years of existence, and it finally ended with the conquest of Memphis by the Hyksos rulers of the 15th Dynasty, c. 1650 BC.
- Rulers of the Thirteenth Dynasty of Ancient Egypt
- Sekhemre Khutawy Sobekhotep
- Sonbef
- Nerikare
- Sekhemkare
- Ameny Qemau
- Hotepibre
- Iufni
- Amenemhat VI
- Semenkare Nebnuni
- Sehetepibre
- Sewadjkare
- Nedjemibre
- Khaankhre Sobekhotep
- Renseneb
- Hor Awibre
- Sekhemrekhutawy Khabaw
- Djedkheperew
- Sedjefakare
- Wegaf
- Khendjer
- Imyremeshaw
- Sehetepkare Intef
- Seth Meribre
- Sobekhotep III
- Neferhotep I
- Sihathor
- Sobekhotep IV
- Merhotepre Sobekhotep
- Sobekhotep VI
- Wahibre Ibiau
- Merneferre Ay
- Successors of the Thirteenth Dynasty
- Discover
Rulers of the Thirteenth Dynasty of Ancient Egypt
This Dynasty is usually described in later texts as an era of chaos and disorder. The period was undoubtedly characterized by decline, with many kings having short reigns and only a few attestations. However, the period may have been more peaceful than was once thought since the central government in Itj-tawy near the Faiyum was sustained during most of the Dynasty, and the country remained relatively stable. Unfortunately, the accurate chronology of this Dynasty is challenging to determine as there are few monuments dating from the period. Many kings’ names are only known from odd fragmentary inscriptions or scarabs. The names and orders in the table are based on Dodson, Hilton, and Ryholt.
Sekhemre Khutawy Sobekhotep
Sekhemre Khutawy Sobekhotep (appears in most sources as Amenemhat Sobekhotep; now believed to be Sobekhotep I; known as Sobekhotep II in older studies) was an Egyptian pharaoh of the 13th Dynasty during the Second Intermediate Period who reigned for at least three years c. 1800 BC. His chronological position is much debated, Sekhemre Khutawy Sobekhotep being either the founder of the Dynasty, in which case he is called Sobekhotep I, or its twentieth ruler, in which case he is called Sobekhotep II. In his 1997 study of the Second Intermediate Period, the Egyptologist Kim Ryholt makes a strong case for Sekhemre Khutawy Sobekhotep as the Dynasty’s founder. The hypothesis is now dominant in Egyptology.
Sonbef
Mehibtawy Sekhemkare Amenemhat Sonbef (also Amenemhat Senbef) was an Egyptian pharaoh of the 13th Dynasty during the Second Intermediate Period. According to Egyptologists Kim Ryholt, Jürgen von Beckerath and Darrell Bake”, he was the second king of the Dynasty, reigning from 1800 BC until 1796 BC.
Nerikare
Nerikare was an Egyptian pharaoh ofAy’s 13th Dynasty during the Second Intermediate Period. According to the Egyptologists Kim Ryholt and Darrell Baker, he was the third king of the Dynasty, reigning briefly in 1796 BC. Alternatively, Jürgen von Beckerath sees Nerikare as the twenty-third king of the 13th Dynasty, reigning after Sehetepkare Intef.
Sekhemkare
Sekhemkare Amenemhat V was an Egyptian pharaoh of the 13th Dynasty during the Second Intermediate Period. According to Egyptologists Kim Ryholt and Darrell Baker, he was the 4th king of the Dynasty, reigning from 1796 BC until 1793 BC. A minority of Egyptologists debate the identity of Amenemhat V, as he could be the same person as Sekhemkare Amenemhat Sonbef, the second ruler of the 13th Dynasty.
Ameny Qemau
Ameny Qemau was an Egyptian pharaoh of the 13th Dynasty during the Second Intermediate Period. Egyptologists Kim Ryholt and Darrell Baker said he was the 5th king of the Dynasty, reigning for two years over most of Egypt, except perhaps the eastern Nile Delta, from 1793 BC until 1791 BC.
Hotepibre
Depending on the scholar, Hotepibre Qemau Siharnedjheritef (also Sehetepibre I or Sehetepibre II) was an Egyptian pharaoh of the 13th Dynasty during the Second Intermediate Period. According to Egyptologists Kim Ryholt and Darrell Baker, he was the sixth king of the Dynasty, reigning for one to five years, possibly three years, from 1791 BC until 1788 BC. Alternatively, Jürgen von Beckerath and Detlef Franke see him as the ninth king of the Dynasty.
Iufni
Iufni (Jewefni) was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the 13th Dynasty during the Second Intermediate Period. According to the Egyptologists Kim Ryholt and Darrell Baker, he was the 7th king of the Dynasty, while Jürgen von Beckerath and Detlef Franke see him as the 6th ruler. This pharaoh reigned from Memphis briefly, c: 1788 BC or 1741 BC.
Amenemhat VI
Seankhibre Ameny Antef Amenemhat VI was an Egyptian pharaoh of the early Thirteenth Dynasty, ruling in the first half of the 18th century BC during a time referred to as the late Middle Kingdom or early Second Intermediate Period, depending on the scholar. Amenemhat VI certainly enjoyed a short reign, estimated at three years or shorter. He is attested by a few contemporary artefacts and is listed on two different king lists. He may belong to a more prominent family of pharaohs, including Amenemhat V, Ameny Qemau, Hotepibre Qemau Siharnedjheritef and Iufni.
Semenkare Nebnuni
Semenkare Nebnuni (also Nebnun and Nebnennu) is a poorly attested pharaoh of the early 13th Dynasty during the Second Intermediate Period. According to Egyptologists Darrell Baker and Kim Ryholt, Nebnuni was the ninth ruler of the 13th Dynasty. Alternatively, Jürgen von Beckerath and Detlef Franke see him as the eighth king of the Dynasty.
Sehetepibre
Sehetepibre Sewesekhtawy (also Sehetepibre I or Sehetepibre II, depending on the scholar) was an Egyptian pharaoh of the 13th Dynasty during the early Second Intermediate Period and the fifth or tenth king of the Dynasty.
Sewadjkare
Sewadjkare (more precisely, Sewadjkare I) was an Egyptian pharaoh of the 13th Dynasty during the early Second Intermediate Period. According to Egyptologists Kim Ryholt and Darrell Baker, he was the eleventh ruler of the Dynasty, reigning for a short time, c. 1781 BC. Alternatively, Thomas Schneider, Detlef Franke and Jürgen von Beckerath see him as the tenth king of the 13th Dynasty, with Schneider placing his reign at c. 1737 BC.
Nedjemibre
Nedjemibre was an ephemeral Egyptian pharaoh of the 13th Dynasty of Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period, reigning c. 1780 BC or 1736 BC.
Khaankhre Sobekhotep
Khaankhre Sobekhotep (now believed to be Sobekhotep II or Sobekhotep IV; known as Sobekhotep I in older studies) was a pharaoh of the Thirteenth Dynasty of Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period.
Renseneb
Renseneb Amenemhat (also known as Ranisonb) was an Egyptian pharaoh of the 13th Dynasty during the Second Intermediate Period. According to Egyptologist Kim Ryholt, Renseneb was the 14th king of the Dynasty, while Detlef Franke sees him as the 13th ruler and Jürgen von Beckerath as the 16th. Renseneb is poorly attested, and his throne name remains unknown.
Hor Awibre
Hor Awibre (also known as Hor I) was an Egyptian pharaoh of the 13th Dynasty from c. 1777 BC until 1775 BC or for a few months, c. 1760 BC or c. 1732 BC, during the Second Intermediate Period. Hor is known primarily thanks to his nearly intact tomb discovered in 1894 and the rare life-size wooden statue of the king’s Ka it housed.
Sekhemrekhutawy Khabaw
Sekhemrekhutawy Khabaw was an Egyptian pharaoh of the early 13th Dynasty during the Second Intermediate Period.
Djedkheperew
Djedkheperew (also known as Djedkheperu) was an Egyptian pharaoh of the 13th Dynasty, reigning for an estimated two-year period from c. 1772 BC until 1770 BC. According to Egyptologists Kim Ryholt and Darrell Baker, Djedkheperew was the 17th king of this Dynasty. Djedkheperew is this pharaoh’s Horus name; the prenomen and nomen of Djedkheperew, which modern conventions would typically employ to name a pharaoh, are unknown.
Sedjefakare
Sedjefakare Kay Amenemhat VII was an Egyptian pharaoh of the 13th Dynasty of ancient Egypt.
Wegaf
Khutawyre Wegaf (or Ugaf) was a pharaoh of the Thirteenth Dynasty of Egypt known from several sources, including a stele and statues. A general is known from a scarab with the same name, perhaps identical to this king.
Khendjer
Userkare Khendjer was the twenty-first pharaoh of the Thirteenth Dynasty of Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period. Khendjer possibly reigned for four to five years. Archaeological attestations show that he was on the throne for at least three or four years, three months and five days. Khendjer had a small pyramid built in Saqqara, so his capital was likely in Memphis.
Imyremeshaw
Smenkhkare Imyremeshaw was an Egyptian pharaoh of the mid-13th Dynasty during the Second Intermediate Period. Imyremeshaw reigned from Memphis, starting in 1759 BC or 1711 BC. The length of his reign is unknown; he may have reigned for five years and certainly less than ten years. Imyremeshaw is now attested by two colossal statues in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
Sehetepkare Intef
Sehetepkare Intef (also known as Intef IV or Intef V) was the twenty-third king of the 13th Dynasty during the second Intermediate period. Pharaoh Sehetepkare Intef reigned from Memphis for a short period, certainly less than ten years, between 1759 BC and 1749 BC or c. 1710 BC.
Seth Meribre
Seth Meribre was the twenty-fourth pharaoh of the 13th Dynasty during the Second Intermediate Period. The king reigned from Memphis, ending in 1749 BC or c. 1700 BC. The length of his reign is unknown; the Egyptologist Kim Ryholt proposes that he reigned for a short time, certainly less than ten years.
Sobekhotep III
Sobekhotep III (throne name: Sekhemre-sewadjtawy) was an Egyptian king of the Thirteenth Dynasty of Egypt who reigned for three to four years, c. 1740 BC or 1700 BC.
Neferhotep I
Khasekhemre Neferhotep I was an Egyptian pharaoh of the mid-thirteenth Dynasty, ruling in the second half of the 18th century BC during a time referred to as the late Middle Kingdom or early Second Intermediate Period, depending on the scholar. One of the best-attested rulers of the 13th Dynasty, Neferhotep I, reigned for 11 years.
The grandson of a non-royal townsman from a Theban family with a military background, Neferhotep I’s relation to his predecessor Sobekhotep III is unclear, and he may have usurped the throne. Neferhotep I was likely contemporaneous with kings Zimri-Lim of Mari and Hammurabi of Babylon. Little is known of his activities during his decade-long reign, and the most crucial document surviving from his rule is a stela from Abydos recounting the fashioning of an image of Osiris and Neferhotep’s determination that it be made “as instructed by the gods at the beginning of time”.
Towards the end of his reign, Neferhotep I shared the throne with his brother Sihathor, a coregency that lasted a few months to a year. Sihathor died shortly before Neferhotep, who probably appointed another brother, Sobekhotep IV, coregent. In any case, Sobekhotep IV succeeded Neferhotep I soon afterwards and reigned over Egypt for almost a decade. The reigns of the two brothers mark the apex of the 13th Dynasty.
Sihathor
Menwadjre Sihathor was a temporary ruler of the 13th Dynasty during the late Middle Kingdom. According to Egyptologist Kim Ryholt, he died in 1733 BC, while Detlef Franke dates his short reign to 1694 BC. Sihathor may never have enjoyed an independent authority, possibly only ruling for a few months as coregent with his brother Neferhotep I. His tomb will likely be the unfinished one between the burials of his brothers S9 and S10 in Abydos.
Sobekhotep IV
Khaneferre Sobekhotep IV was one of the more powerful Egyptian kings of the 13th Dynasty (c. 1803 BC to c. 1649 BC) who reigned for at least eight years. His brothers, Neferhotep I and Sihathor, were his predecessors on the throne, the latter having ruled as coregent for a few months.
Sobekhotep states on a stela found in the Amun temple at Karnak that he was born in Thebes. The king is believed to have reigned for around ten years. He is known for many monuments, including stelae, statues, seals, and other minor objects. There are attestations for building works at Abydos and Karnak.
Merhotepre Sobekhotep
Merhotepre Sobekhotep (also known as Sobekhotep V; Sobekhotep VI in older studies) was an Egyptian king of the 13th Dynasty during the Second Intermediate Period. According to Egyptologist Kim Ryholt, he was the thirtieth pharaoh of the Dynasty, while Darrell Baker believes instead that he was its twenty-ninth ruler. In older studies, Jürgen von Beckerath and Detlef Franke identified Merhotepre Sobekhotep with Merhotepre Ini, thereby making him Sobekhotep VI and the twenty-eighth ruler of the 13th Dynasty.
Sobekhotep VI
Khahotepre Sobekhotep VI (also known as Sobekhotep V) was an Egyptian king of the 13th Dynasty during the Second Intermediate Period. According to Egyptologist Kim Ryholt, he was the thirty-first pharaoh of the Dynasty, while Darrell Baker believes instead that he was its thirtieth ruler. Alternatively, Jürgen von Beckerath and Detlef Franke see him as the twenty-fifth king of the Dynasty.
Wahibre Ibiau
Wahibre Ibiau (throne name: Wahibre; birth name: Ibiau, also Ibiaw, Iaib, or Ia-ib) was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the 13th Dynasty who reigned c. 1670 BC for ten years, eight months and 29 days according to the Turin King List.
Merneferre Ay
Merneferre Ay (also spelt Aya or Eje, sometimes known as Ay I) was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the mid-13th Dynasty. The longest reigning pharaoh of the 13th Dynasty, he ruled a likely fragmented Egypt for over 23 years in the early to mid-17th century BC. A pyramidion bearing his name shows that he possibly completed a pyramid, probably located in the necropolis of Memphis.
Merneferre Ay is the last pharaoh of the 13th Dynasty to be attested outside Upper Egypt. Despite his long reign, the number of artefacts attributable to him is comparatively small. This may point to problems in Egypt at the time, and indeed, by the end of his reign, “the administration seems to have completely collapsed”. It is possible that the capital of Egypt since the early Middle Kingdom, Itjtawy, was abandoned during or shortly after Ay’s reign. For this reason, some scholars consider Merneferre Ay the last pharaoh of the Middle Kingdom of Egypt.
Following these kings, the remaining rulers of the 13th Dynasty are only attested by finds from Upper Egypt. This may indicate abandoning the old capital, Itjtawy, in favour of Thebes. Daphna Ben-Tor believes this event was triggered by the Canaanite rulers’ invasion of the eastern Delta and the Memphite region. For some authors, this marks the end of the Middle Kingdom and the beginning of the Second Intermediate Period. However, Ryholt and Baker reject this analysis. They note that the stele of Seheqenre Sankhptahi, reigning toward the end of the Dynasty, strongly suggests that he reigned over Memphis. Unfortunately, the stele is of unknown provenance.
Successors of the Thirteenth Dynasty
After allowing discipline at the southern forts to deteriorate, the government eventually withdrew its garrisons, and not long afterwards, the rising Nubian state of Kush reoccupied the fortifications. Lower Egypt was overrun in the north by the Hyksos, a Semitic people from across the Sinai. An independent line of kings created Dynasty XIV, which arose in the western Delta during the later Dynasty XIII. According to Manetho, into this unstable mix came invaders from the east called the Hyksos, who seized Egypt “without striking a blow; and having overpowered the rulers of the land, they then burned our cities ruthlessly, razed to the ground the temples of gods…” Their regime, called Dynasty XV, was claimed to have replaced Dynasties XIII and XIV in most of the country.
However, recent archaeological finds at Edfu could indicate that the Hyksos 15th Dynasty was already in existence by the mid-13th dynasty reign of King Sobekhotep IV. In a recently published paper in Egypt and the Levant, Nadine Moeller, Gregory Marouard, and N. Ayers discuss the discovery of an important early 12th dynasty Middle Kingdom administrative building in the eastern Tell Edfu area of Upper Egypt, which was in continual use in the early Second Intermediate Period until the 17th Dynasty, when a large silo court sealed up its remains.
Fieldwork by Egyptologists in 2010 and 2011 into the remains of the former 12th dynasty building, which was also used in the 13th Dynasty, led to the discovery of a sizeable adjoining hall which proved to contain 41 sealings showing the cartouche of the Hyksos ruler Khyan together with nine sealings naming the 13th dynasty king Sobekhotep IV. The preserved contexts of these seals show that Sobekhotep IV and Khyan were most likely contemporaries. This could mean that the 13th Dynasty did not control all of Egypt when Sobekhotep IV acceded to power and that there was a significant overlap between the 13th and 15th Dynasties since Sobekhotep IV was only a mid-13th dynasty ruler, although one of its most powerful kings.
Therefore, Manetho’s statement that the Hyksos 15th Dynasty violently replaced the 13th Dynasty could be a piece of later Egyptian propaganda. Instead, the 13th Dynasty’s authority must have collapsed throughout Egypt in its final decades, and the Hyksos state in the Delta region took over Memphis and ended the 13th Dynasty’s kingdom.
However, this analysis and the conclusions drawn from it are rejected by Egyptologist Robert Porter. He argues that Khyan ruled much later than Sobekhotep IV (a gap of c. 100 years exists between the two in conventional chronologies) and that the seals of a pharaoh were used long after his death. Thus, the seals of Sobekhotep IV might not indicate that he was a contemporary of Khyan.
Merneferre Ay was the last Egyptian ruler of the 13th Dynasty who was attested by objects in both Lower and Upper Egypt. Henceforth, his successors from Merhotepre Ini are only attested in Upper Egypt.
