Fourteenth Dynasty of Egypt facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fourteenth Dynasty of Egypt
ca. 1725 BC–ca. 1650 BC
Orange shading indicates the territory possibly under control of the 14th Dynasty, according to Ryholt.
Capital	Avaris
Common languages	Egyptian language
Religion	ancient Egyptian religion
Government	Absolute monarchy
Historical era	Second Intermediate Period of Egypt
• Established	ca. 1725 BC
• Disestablished	ca. 1650 BC
Preceded by Succeeded by Twelfth Dynasty of Egypt Thirteenth Dynasty of Egypt Fifteenth Dynasty of Egypt Sixteenth Dynasty of Egypt Abydos Dynasty

The Fourteenth Dynasty of Egypt was a group of rulers who governed the Nile Delta region of Egypt. This was during a time known as the Second Intermediate Period. This dynasty lasted for about 75 to 155 years, from around 1725 BC to 1650 BC. Their main city was probably Avaris.

The 14th Dynasty ruled at the same time as the 13th Dynasty, which was based in Memphis. Some of the kings of the 14th Dynasty had names that suggest they came from Canaan (a region in the Middle East). For example, names like Ipqu, Yakbim, Qareh, and Yaqub-Har are similar to names from that area. There were also rulers with names linked to Nubia, like King Nehesy ("The Nubian") and Queen Tati.

When Did the 14th Dynasty Rule?

The 14th Dynasty is usually seen as part of the Second Intermediate Period. This period also includes the 13th, 15th, 16th, and 17th Dynasties.

Historians don't fully agree on the exact dates for the 14th Dynasty. The dates can change by as much as 75 years depending on the expert.

Different Ideas About the Start Date

One expert, Kim Ryholt, thinks the 14th Dynasty started around 1805 BC. This was when the 12th Dynasty was ending. He believes that people from Canaan living in the eastern Delta region decided to become independent. They managed to stay separate from the 13th Dynasty kings in Memphis. According to Ryholt, the 14th Dynasty ruled for about 155 years, until the Hyksos 15th Dynasty took over around 1650 BC.

However, other experts like Manfred Bietak and Daphna Ben Tor disagree. They think the 14th Dynasty couldn't have started before 1720 BC. This was after the reign of King Sobekhotep IV of the 13th Dynasty. They say that evidence from ancient sites shows the 14th Dynasty only existed at the same time as the 13th Dynasty during its last 50 years. This would be after 1700 BC.

The End of the Dynasty

Most experts agree that after the very short rule of King Nehesy, the Delta region faced big problems. There was a long period of famine (not enough food) and possibly a plague. This lasted until the end of the 14th Dynasty. The 13th Dynasty also faced problems around this time. Both kingdoms were weak, which might explain why they were quickly defeated by the rising Hyksos power around 1650 BC.

Where Was Their Capital City?

Ancient writings suggest the 14th Dynasty had many kings and ruled from a city called Xois. However, excavations at Avaris have found a large royal palace from this time. This palace even had a huge statue of a king or important official. The statue had features that were not typically Egyptian.

Because of these findings, most experts, including Kim Ryholt, believe that Avaris was the true capital of the 14th Dynasty, not Xois.

How Far Did Their Kingdom Reach?

We don't know the exact borders of the 14th Dynasty's kingdom. This is because there aren't many monuments left from their time. Kim Ryholt believes their territory mainly covered the Nile Delta. Their borders were probably near Athribis in the west and Bubastis in the east.

Small seals from the 14th Dynasty have been found in other parts of Egypt. They have even been found as far south as Dongola, in Nubia. To the north, seals have been found in the southern Levant, along the Mediterranean coast. This shows that the 14th Dynasty traded with the 13th Dynasty, cities in Canaan, and Nubia. Ryholt also suggests that King Sheshi, a 14th Dynasty ruler, married a Nubian princess named Tati. This marriage might have helped strengthen their relationship with the Kushite kingdom in Nubia.

Who Were the Rulers?

The order of the 14th Dynasty rulers is mostly known from an ancient document called the Turin Royal Canon. However, the first five rulers are a bit debated. Kim Ryholt identified them by studying their seals. Other experts, like Daphna Ben Tor, have different ideas about when these first five kings ruled. She thinks some of them might have been minor rulers under the Hyksos 15th Dynasty.

Early Rulers (Debated)

14th Dynasty Pharaohs (Debated)

Name of King	Image	Dates	Notes
Yakbim Sekhaenre		1805 BC – 1780 BC or after 1650 BC	His exact time of rule is debated. He might have been a ruler under the 15th Dynasty.
Ya'ammu Nubwoserre		1780 BC – 1770 BC	His exact time of rule is debated.
Qareh Khawoserre		1770 BC – 1760 BC	His exact time of rule is debated.
'Ammu Aahotepre		1760 – 1745 BC or after 1650 BC	His exact time of rule is debated. He might have been a ruler under the 15th Dynasty.
Sheshi Maaibre		1745 BC – 1705 BC or after 1650 BC	Many seals have been found with his name. He might have married Queen Tati, who was from Nubia. His exact time of rule is debated. He might have been a ruler under the 15th Dynasty.

Main Rulers (Accepted)

The following kings are generally accepted as 14th Dynasty rulers. Their names come from the Turin Canon, and some are also known from other ancient objects.

14th Dynasty Pharaohs (Accepted)

Name of King	Image	Dates	Notes
Nehesy Aasehre		1705 BC	The best-known king of this dynasty. His name means "The Nubian."
Khakherewre		1705 BC	-
Nebefawre		1704 BC	Ruled for 1 year, 5 months, and 15 days.
Sehebre			Ruled for over 3 years.
Merdjefare		ending 1699 BC	Known from a stone slab found in the Delta.
Sewadjkare III			Ruled for 1 year.
Nebdjefare		ending 1694 BC	-
Webenre		ending 1693 BC	-
Unknown			Name is missing from the Turin king list.
[...]djefare			-
[...]webenre		ending 1690 BC	-
Awibre II			-
Heribre			-
Nebsenre			Known from a jar with his name. Ruled for at least 5 months.
Unknown			Name is missing from the Turin king list.
[...]re			-
Sekheperenre			One of the few 14th Dynasty kings known from other ancient sources.
Djedkherewre			-
Sankhibre II			-
Nefertum[...]re			-
Sekhem[...]re			-
Kakemure			-
Neferibre			-
I[...]re			-
Khakare			-
Akare			-
Hapu[...] Semenenre			-
Anati Djedkare			-
Babnum [...]kare			-
Unknown			Eight names are missing from the Turin king list.
Senefer...re			-
Men[...]re			-
Djed[...]re			-
Unknown			Three names are missing from the Turin king list.
Ink [...]			-
'A[...]			-
'Ap[...]			Possibly King Apophis I.
Unknown			Five names are missing from the Turin king list.

Images for kids

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  A scarab seal of King Nuya.

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  A scarab seal of King Sheneh.

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  A scarab seal of King Shenshek.

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  A scarab seal of King Wazad.

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  A scarab seal of King Khamure.

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  A scarab seal of King Yakareb.

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  A scarab seal of King Yaqub-Har.

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  A scarab seal possibly belonging to King Apophis I.