Apepi c. 1590–1550 BC
The best known Hyksos king, who reigned for about forty years and was the northern enemy of the Theban kings Seqenenre and Kamose. The Rhind Mathematical Papyrus in the British Museum was copied in year 33 of his reign by a scribe named Ahmose. The Greeks called him Apophis, and he changed his throne name at least twice.
Throne name: Aauserre
ꜥꜣ-wsr-rꜥ: “Great and strong is Ra”
His last throne name. Earlier he was Nebkhepeshre and Aaqenenre.
Sign by sign
- Sun N5rꜥ The sun, the sun god Ra. Day.
- Wooden column O29ꜥꜣ Great.
- Forearm D36ꜥ The sound ꜥ (ayin).
- Head and neck of a canine F12wsr Strong, powerful.
- Folded cloth S29s The sound s.
Birth name: Apepi
ipp(i)
Also written Ipepi, and Apophis in Greek. Some inscriptions add a seated man after the first reed.
Sign by sign
- Flowering reed M17i The sound i.
- Stool Q3p The sound p.
- Stool Q3p The sound p.
- Flowering reed M17i The sound i.
Where to see Apepi's name today
Egyptian Museum, Cairo
The Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square holds some of the most important inscribed objects in Egypt, from the Narmer Palette, with one of the first royal names, to the Merneptah Stela, with the first mention of Israel. You can follow the script here from its beginnings to long New Kingdom texts.
MuseumBritish Museum, London
The British Museum has one of the largest Egyptian collections outside Egypt, and you can read its hieroglyphs from the Rosetta Stone to painted coffins. Room 4 alone holds the stone and a colossal Ramesses II.
Read more about Apepi
- Pharaohs of Egypt in order: the best-known kings, dynasty by dynasty Pharaohs of Egypt in order: the best-known kings from Narmer to Cleopatra VII, period by period, with dates and what each one is remembered for.
Names of gods (Ra, Amun, Ptah) are written first out of respect, even when they are read later. Dates are approximate; we follow Ian Shaw (ed.), The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt (2000).