Kamose c. 1555–1550 BC
Probably a son of Seqenenre Tao, and the last king of the 17th Dynasty. Two stelae he set up at Karnak tell how he sailed north and attacked the Hyksos, reaching their capital Avaris. Ahmose I, probably his younger brother, finished the war and founded the New Kingdom.
Throne name: Wadjkheperre
wꜣḏ-ḫpr-rꜥ: “The form of Ra flourishes”
Sign by sign
- Sun N5rꜥ The sun, the sun god Ra. Day.
- Papyrus stem M13wꜣḏ Green, fresh, flourishing.
- Scarab beetle L1ḫpr To become, to come into being.
Birth name: Kamose
kꜣ-ms: “The bull is born”
Sign by sign
- Raised arms D28kꜣ The ka, a person's life force.
- Three fox skins F31ms To be born (as in Ramesses, Thutmose).
- Door bolt O34z The sound z (later s).
Read more about Kamose
- 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.
- The 17th Dynasty: Theban kings against the Hyksos The 17th dynasty of Egypt (c. 1580–1550 BC): Theban kings Seqenenre Tao and Kamose fight the Hyksos, and their names read in hieroglyphs.
- Ahmose I's name in hieroglyphs: the king who drove out the Hyksos Ahmose I's name in hieroglyphics: his birth name Ahmose and throne name Nebpehtyre read sign by sign, his war on the Hyksos, and where to see it today.
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).