The Identities of the Second Intermediate Period Dynasties in Egypt

Abstract

The composition of and the relationship between the Second Intermediate Period dynasties are still unclear. The present study proposes that Egypt is united during the first half of Dynasty 13 but divided following Merneferra Ay. The Middle Kingdom wꜥrwt system is applied to this division: late Dynasty 13 rules the District of the South (centered at Itjtawy), Dynasty 15 rules the District of the North (centered at Avaris), and Dynasty 16 the District of the Head of the South (centered at Thebes). Dynasty 14 consists of a conglomeration of kinglets in the Delta contemporary with Dynasty 15. Dynasty 17 evolves from the Thinite subdistrict and takes over half of the territory of Dynasty 16, at the end of the reign of Nebiryrau I. The number of kings for each dynasty can be reconstructed on the basis of a combination of the data in Manetho and in the Turin King List.