Seqenenre Tao c. 1560–1555 BC
A Theban king who began the war against the Hyksos kings in the north. His mummy, found in the Deir el-Bahari cache, shows axe and dagger wounds to the head: he probably died in battle or was killed soon after one. Kamose, probably his son, and Ahmose carried on the fight.
Throne name: Seqenenre
sqnn-rꜥ: “He whom Ra has made brave”
Sign by sign
- Sun N5rꜥ The sun, the sun god Ra. Day.
- Door bolt O34z The sound z (later s).
- Sandy hill N29q The sound q.
- Ripple of water N35n The sound n. Also means 'of, to'.
- Ripple of water N35n The sound n. Also means 'of, to'.
Birth name: Taa
tꜣ-ꜥꜣ
Also written Tao, and read by some as Djehuty-aa, "Thoth is great". The reading of the second sign is debated.
Sign by sign
- Bread loaf X1t The sound t. Also the feminine ending.
- Enclosure of Nekhen O47nḫn Plan of an old enclosure at Nekhen (Hierakonpolis). Writes the town's name.
- Wooden column O29ꜥꜣ Great.
- Forearm D36ꜥ The sound ꜥ (ayin).
- Papyrus roll Y1 Determinative for writing and abstract ideas.
Read more about Seqenenre Tao
- 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).