Sixteenth Dynasty of Egypt facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sixteenth Dynasty of Egypt
1649 BC–1582 BC
The political situation in Egypt during the existence of the 16th Dynasty from c. 1650 until c. 1590 BC.
Capital	Thebes
Common languages	Egyptian language
Religion	ancient Egyptian religion
Government	Absolute monarchy
Historical era	Second Intermediate Period of Egypt
• Established	1649 BC
• Disestablished	1582 BC
Preceded by Succeeded by Fourteenth Dynasty of Egypt Thirteenth Dynasty of Egypt Seventeenth Dynasty of Egypt

The Sixteenth Dynasty was a group of pharaohs who ruled a part of ancient Egypt. They were in charge of the area around Thebes in Upper Egypt for about 70 years.

This dynasty, along with the Fifteenth and Seventeenth dynasties, is part of a time called the Second Intermediate Period. This period, from about 1650 to 1550 BC, was when Egypt was divided. The pharaohs in Thebes ruled Upper Egypt, while the Hyksos kings of the Fifteenth Dynasty ruled from a city called Avaris in Lower Egypt.

Understanding the Sixteenth Dynasty

Historians have different ideas about the Sixteenth Dynasty. Some ancient writers, like Manetho, described them as "shepherd kings" (Hyksos). But another writer, Eusebius, said they were from Thebes.

Today, some experts, like Kim Ryholt, believe the Sixteenth Dynasty kings were independent rulers based in Thebes. They think these kings controlled a kingdom in Upper Egypt. Other experts are not so sure and think there isn't enough proof to say they were fully independent.

Life During the Sixteenth Dynasty

The Sixteenth Dynasty faced many challenges. They were often at war with the Fifteenth Dynasty (the Hyksos). The Hyksos armies slowly took over towns from the southern kings. Eventually, they even threatened and conquered Thebes itself.

One king, Dedumose I, might have tried to make peace with the Hyksos. Another king, Nebiryraw I, seemed to have a more peaceful time during his rule.

Life was also hard because of famine. This was a time when there wasn't enough food, which had also happened in earlier dynasties. It was especially bad during and after the rule of Neferhotep III.

Who Were the Kings?

Historians have different lists of kings for this dynasty. One idea is that these kings were rulers who served the Hyksos. Another idea is that they were independent kings ruling from Thebes.

Most modern experts, like Kim Ryholt, believe the Sixteenth Dynasty was an independent kingdom based in Thebes. They have put together a list of 15 kings from ancient records. These kings likely ruled from Thebes, but some might have been local rulers from other important towns in Upper Egypt, like Abydos or Edfu.

By the time of King Nebiriau I, their kingdom stretched from a town called Hu in the north all the way to Edfu in the south.

Kings of the Independent Theban Kingdom

Here is a list of kings believed to be part of the Sixteenth Dynasty, ruling as an independent kingdom from Thebes. Their order is mostly based on the work of Kim Ryholt.

Sixteenth Dynasty as an independent Theban kingdom

King's Name	Image	Years Ruled	Notes
Unknown		1649–1648 BC	His name is missing from ancient records.
Sekhemre-sementawi Djehuti		1648–1645 BC
Sekhemre-seusertawi Sobekhotep VIII		1645–1629 BC
Sekhemre-seankhtawi Neferhotep III		1629–1628 BC
Seankhenre Mentuhotepi		1628–1627 BC
Sewadjenre Nebiryraw I		1627–1601 BC
Nebiriau II		1601 BC
Semenre		1601–1600 BC
Seuserenre Bebiankh		1600–1588 BC
Sekhemre Shedwaset		1588 BC
Unknown		1588–1582 BC	The names of five kings are missing from ancient records.

Some other kings are also thought to belong to this dynasty, but their exact place in the timeline is not certain. They might be the five kings whose names are missing from the ancient records.

Sixteenth Dynasty as an independent Theban kingdom (uncertain order)

King's Name	Image	Years Ruled	Notes
Djedhotepre Dedumose I			May have tried to make peace with the Hyksos.
Djedneferre Dedumose II
Djedankhre Montemsaf
Merankhre Mentuhotep VI
Seneferibre Senusret IV			Left a very large statue of himself in Karnak.

Images for kids

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  A block with the name of King Djehuti.

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  A stone tablet (stele) showing King Sobekhotep VIII.

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  A stele from King Neferhotep III's time.

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  A sphinx statue of King Seankhenre Mentuhotepi.

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  A scarab beetle amulet with King Nebiryraw I's name.

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  An axehead with King Semenre's name.

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  A dagger with King Seuserenre Bebiankh's name.

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  A small piece of an object from King Sekhemre Shedwaset's reign.

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  A stele from King Dedumose I.

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  A depiction of King Dedumose II.

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  A scarab beetle amulet with King Djedankhre Montemsaf's name.

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  A statue fragment of King Merankhre Mentuhotep VI.

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  A depiction of King Senusret IV.