Nebka facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nebka |
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| Necherôchis, Necherôphes, likely identical with Sanakht | |
Cartouche name of Nebka on the Abydos King List
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| Pharaoh | |
| Reign | duration uncertain in the 27th century BCE, possibly six years if identical with Sanakht, 19 years according to the Turin Canon, 28 years following Africanus' epithome of the Aegytiaca. (Third Dynasty) |
| Predecessor | Sekhemkhet (most likely), Khaba or Khasekhemwy |
| Successor | Khaba, Huni or Djoser (less likely) |
Nebka was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh from the Third Dynasty. This was during the Old Kingdom period, around the 27th century BCE. His name means "Lord of the ka".
Many experts believe Nebka is the same person as Sanakht. Sanakht was another ruler of the Third Dynasty. Nebka's name also appears in later Egyptian records. These include king lists and an old story.
If a special seal from Beit Khallaf really shows Nebka's name, he might be the first king to use a cartouche. A cartouche is an oval shape that holds a pharaoh's name. If not Nebka, then King Huni was the first to use it.
We don't know for sure where Nebka's tomb is. Some possible places include a mastaba (a type of tomb) in Beit Khallaf. Another idea is a mudbrick building in Abu Rawash. The Unfinished Northern Pyramid of Zawyet El Aryan is also a possibility.
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Where We Find Nebka's Name
We learn about Nebka from several ancient sources. These records help us piece together his story.
Early Records
The oldest mention of Nebka is in the tomb of a high official named Akhetaa. Akhetaa lived during the late Third Dynasty. He held the important title of "priest of Nebka." This means he served Nebka's cult. Unfortunately, Akhetaa's tomb is now lost. This makes it hard to study further.
The Westcar Papyrus
Nebka is also mentioned in a famous story from the Westcar Papyrus. This papyrus dates to the Seventeenth Dynasty. However, the story itself was likely written much earlier. It probably comes from the late Middle Kingdom.
The story is called "Nebka and the crocodile." It shows King Nebka as a fair and strict judge. He punishes bad behavior and unfair actions. This story gives us a positive look at his character.
Later King Lists
Later historical records also mention Nebka. These include king lists from the Nineteenth Dynasty.
- The Royal Table of Saqqara lists a king named Nebkara. This name is likely a different version of Nebka. It places him after Sekhemket and before Huni.
- The Abydos King List and Turin Canon also mention Nebka. But they list him as the very first king of the Third Dynasty.
Manetho's History
An Egyptian priest named Manetho wrote a history of Egypt called the Aegyptiaca. This was in the 3rd century BCE. Manetho listed a king named Necherôchis as the founder of the Third Dynasty. Necherôchis is probably a Greek version of Nebka.
Manetho's original book is lost. We know about it from later writers. According to these writers, Necherôchis faced a rebellion. He is also said to have ruled for 28 years.
Who Was Nebka?
Many Egyptologists today believe that Nebka was the same person as Sanakht. Sanakht was another pharaoh of the Third Dynasty.
This idea comes from a small clay seal found in Beit Khallaf. This seal shows Sanakht's royal name, called a serekh. Next to it, there might be a part of a cartouche with the sign for "ka." Experts think this cartouche could have held the name "Neb."
Also, many other seals of Sanakht were found in a nearby tomb (K2) at Beit Khallaf. The archaeologist John Garstang thought this tomb belonged to Sanakht. If Nebka and Sanakht are the same, then Nebka would be one of the earliest kings to use a cartouche for his throne name.
Some earlier researchers disagreed with this idea. They pointed out that the seal fragment is very damaged. They thought the shape might not be a cartouche at all. Instead, it could be a symbol for a royal fortress.
When Did Nebka Rule?
Nebka's exact place in the Third Dynasty has been debated. The Turin and Abydos king lists put him as the first pharaoh of the Third Dynasty. Some experts tried to fit this with the evidence from Beit Khallaf. They suggested Nebka Sanakht ruled briefly between Khasekhemwy (last king of the Second Dynasty) and Djoser.
However, most archaeological findings now suggest a different order. They show that Djoser was likely the first ruler of the Third Dynasty. Sekhemkhet was probably his immediate successor.
For example, many seals of Djoser were found in Khasekhemwy's tomb. This suggests Djoser buried Khasekhemwy, who might have been his father. Also, Khasekhemwy's wife, Queen Nimaethap, was buried in a tomb that had many Djoser seals. She was called "Mother of a king" (singular). This suggests she had only one son who became king. This would mean Sanakht did not rule between Khasekhemwy and Djoser.
Also, the Turin Canon gives Nebka and Djoser the same reign length of 19 years. This might mean there was a mistake in placing Nebka's name. It could be that Djoser's years were accidentally given to Nebka. The Saqqara king list also places Nebka after Sekhemket, not before Djoser.
More clues come from the Papyrus Westcar. The story of "Nebka and the crocodile" is placed between tales about Djoser and Huni. This suggests Nebka ruled later in the Third Dynasty.
Given that Nebka is likely Sanakht, he probably ruled for about six years. This short reign fits with the few archaeological finds related to both Nebka and Sanakht.
Nebka's Tomb
We still don't know for sure where Nebka's tomb is located. The same is true for Sanakht.
Beit Khallaf
John Garstang thought that mastaba K2 at Beit Khallaf was Sanakht's tomb. This was because seals with Sanakht's name were found there. However, some experts now think K2 was the tomb of a private person, not a king. Still, some people support the older idea.
Abu Rawash
Some Egyptologists, like Nabil Swelim and Aidan Dodson, have suggested another place. They think a mudbrick building in Abu Rawash could be Nebka's tomb. This structure is very large. Its design looks like royal tombs from the late Second and early Third Dynasties. Pottery found there also dates to that period.
Zawyet El Aryan
Other experts have noticed that Nebka's name seems to be written in the Unfinished Northern Pyramid of Zawyet El Aryan. This name appears as Nebkara. This suggests that this pyramid might have been started by Nebka.
Inside the pyramid, there are graffiti (drawings or writings) made by workmen. Some of these graffiti mention the name "Nebkarâ." One inscription also mentions a possible royal name: Neb hedjet-nwb, meaning "Lord of the Golden Crown." Some experts think this might be the Horus name of King Huni or the Horus of Gold name of Nebka.
