CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html><html lang="en" data-astro-cid-tnnyocjb> <head><meta charset="utf-8"><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1"><meta name="description" content="Titles and Epithets used by the pharaohs"><meta name="keywords" content="Titles,Epithets,pharaohs,hieroglyphic titles,hieroglyphic epithets,hieroglyph epithet"><meta name="generator" content="Astro v5.1.7"><meta name="color-scheme" content="light dark"><title>Titles and epithets in Ancient Egypt | Pharaoh.se</title><meta property="og:type" content="article"><meta property="og:title" content="Titles and epithets in Ancient Egypt"><meta property="og:site_name" content="Pharaoh.se"><meta property="og:description" content="Titles and Epithets used by the pharaohs"><meta property="og:url" content="https://pharaoh.se/ancient-egypt/titles-and-epithets/"><meta property="og:image" content="https://pharaoh.se/images/pharaohse-titles.webp"><meta name="twitter:card" content="summary"><meta name="twitter:site" content="@PharaohSE"><meta name="twitter:creator" content="@PharaohSE"><meta name="twitter:title" content="Titles and epithets in Ancient Egypt"><meta name="twitter:description" content="Titles and Epithets used by the pharaohs"><meta name="twitter:image" content="https://pharaoh.se/images/pharaohse-titles.webp"><meta name="author" content="Peter Lundström"><link rel="canonical" href="https://pharaoh.se/ancient-egypt/titles-and-epithets/"><link rel="sitemap" href="/sitemap-index.xml"><link rel="icon" type="image/png" sizes="32x32" href="/favicon.png"><link rel="preconnect" href="https://rsms.me/"><link rel="stylesheet" href="https://rsms.me/inter/inter.css"><link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com"><link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.gstatic.com" crossorigin><link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css2?family=Libre+Baskerville:ital,wght@0,400;0,700;1,400&family=Noto+Serif:ital,wght@0,100..900;1,100..900&display=swap" rel="stylesheet"><script type="application/ld+json">{"@context":"http://schema.org","@type":"Article","name":"Titles and epithets in Ancient Egypt","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Peter Lundström","url":"https://twitter.com/pharaohSE"},"datePublished":"2025-01-27T13:40:52.105Z","image":{"bild":"https://pharaoh.se/images/pharaohse-titles.webp"},"headline":"Titles and epithets in Ancient Egypt | Pharaoh.se","articleBody":"Titles and Epithets used by the pharaohs","url":"https://pharaoh.se/ancient-egypt/titles-and-epithets/","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"@PharaohSE"}}</script><style>.bless[data-astro-cid-oufm6so2] img[data-astro-cid-oufm6so2]{height:var(--size-8)}.bless[data-astro-cid-oufm6so2] td[data-astro-cid-oufm6so2],.bless[data-astro-cid-oufm6so2] thead[data-astro-cid-oufm6so2]{border-top:1px solid var(--text4);padding-block:var(--size-2);text-align:left}.kard[data-astro-cid-oufm6so2]{flex-grow:1;flex-basis:15rem;border-radius:.5rem;border-width:1px;--tw-border-opacity: 1;border-color:rgb(231 229 228 / var(--tw-border-opacity, 1));--tw-bg-opacity: 1;background-color:rgb(255 255 255 / var(--tw-bg-opacity, 1));padding:.5rem}@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark){.kard[data-astro-cid-oufm6so2]{--tw-border-opacity: 1;border-color:rgb(34 41 48 / var(--tw-border-opacity, 1));--tw-bg-opacity: 1;background-color:rgb(20 26 31 / var(--tw-bg-opacity, 1))}}.wkard[data-astro-cid-oufm6so2]{flex-basis:100%;border-radius:.5rem;border-width:1px;--tw-border-opacity: 1;border-color:rgb(231 229 228 / var(--tw-border-opacity, 1));--tw-bg-opacity: 1;background-color:rgb(255 255 255 / var(--tw-bg-opacity, 1));padding:.5rem}@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark){.wkard[data-astro-cid-oufm6so2]{--tw-border-opacity: 1;border-color:rgb(34 41 48 / var(--tw-border-opacity, 1));--tw-bg-opacity: 1;background-color:rgb(20 26 31 / var(--tw-bg-opacity, 1))}} </style> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/_astro/about.CB_kh6mP.css"> <link rel="stylesheet" href="/_astro/about.BfDi5rUy.css"> <style>#toppen[data-astro-cid-tnnyocjb]{display:none;position:fixed;bottom:2rem;right:2rem;z-index:99;cursor:pointer} </style></head><body id="body" data-astro-cid-tnnyocjb> <header class="w-full fixed top-0 z-50 print:hidden" data-astro-cid-tnnyocjb> <div class="navigation nav-container max-w-full items-center justify-around mx-auto flex flex-wrap p-4 bg-shark-900" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4> <div class="brand" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4> <a href="/" class="hover:no-underline" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><span class="text-4xl hover:text-yellow-300 hover:underline decoration-2 hover:decoration-egypt-600 font-black whitespace-nowrap uppercase bg-gradient-to-l from-amber-100 via-amber-500 to-amber-700 bg-clip-text text-transparent" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Pharaoh<span class="text-white text-2xl" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>.</span><span class="font-light text-2xl" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>se</span></span></a> </div> <nav data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4> <div class="nav-mobile" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a id="navbar-toggle" href="#" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><span data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4></span></a></div> <ul class="nav-list" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4> <a href="#!" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Pharaohs</a> <ul class="navbar-dropdown" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/pharaohs" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Pharaohs</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/dynasties" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Dynasties</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/period/old-kingdom" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Old Kingdom</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/period/first-intermediate-period" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>1st Intermediate</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/period/middle-kingdom" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Middle Kingdom</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/period/second-intermediate-period" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>2nd Intermediate</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/period/new-kingdom" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>New Kingdom</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/period/third-intermediate-period" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>3rd Intermediate</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/period/late-period" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Late Period</a></li> </ul> </li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4> <a href="#!" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>King lists</a> <ul class="navbar-dropdown" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/kinglists" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Overview</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/turin" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Turin King List</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/abydos-canon" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Abydos Canon</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/karnak-canon" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Karnak Canon</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/saqqara-canon" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Saqqara Canon</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/medinet-habu-canon" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Medinet Habu</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/ramesseum-canon" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Ramesseum</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/marseille" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Marseille table</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/other" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Minor king lists</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/manetho" class="font-bold border-t-2 dark:border-shark-800" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Manetho</a></li> </ul> </li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4> <a href="#!" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>More...</a> <ul class="navbar-dropdown" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/obelisks" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Obelisks</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/temples-and-monuments" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Monuments</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/hieroglyphs" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Hieroglyphs</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/cartography" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Cartography</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/egyptology" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Egyptology</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/titles-and-epithets" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Titles & epithets</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/book-series" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Important books</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/bibliography" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Bibliography</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/ancient-egypt/curiosities" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>Curiosities</a></li> <li data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4><a href="/about" class="font-bold border-t-2 dark:border-shark-800" data-astro-cid-ej6f5fy4>About</a></li> </ul> </li>  </ul> </nav> </div> <script> // Get references to elements const navbarToggle = document.getElementById("navbar-toggle"); const navbarUl = document.querySelector("nav ul"); const navbarDropdownItems = document.querySelectorAll("nav ul li a:not(:only-child)"); // Function to open and close the navigation menu (hamburger menu) function toggleNavbar() { navbarUl.classList.toggle("show"); navbarToggle.classList.toggle("active"); } // Event listener for the navbar toggle button navbarToggle.addEventListener("click", toggleNavbar); // Event listener for dropdown items navbarDropdownItems.forEach((item) => { item.addEventListener("click", function (event) { const dropdown = this.nextElementSibling; // Check if the dropdown exists if (dropdown && dropdown.classList.contains("navbar-dropdown")) { dropdown.classList.toggle("show"); // Close other dropdowns const otherDropdowns = document.querySelectorAll(".navbar-dropdown.show"); otherDropdowns.forEach((otherDropdown) => { if (otherDropdown !== dropdown) { otherDropdown.classList.remove("show"); } }); event.stopPropagation(); } }); }); // Event listener for clicks outside the dropdown document.addEventListener("click", function (event) { const dropdowns = document.querySelectorAll(".navbar-dropdown.show"); dropdowns.forEach((dropdown) => { // Close the dropdown if the clicked target is outside of the dropdown if (!dropdown.parentElement.contains(event.target)) { dropdown.classList.remove("show"); } }); }); </script> </header> <div class="container mx-auto pb-5 mt-32" data-astro-cid-tnnyocjb> <h1 class="pagetitle" data-astro-cid-tnnyocjb>Titles and epithets in Ancient Egypt</h1> </div> <div class="container mx-auto" data-astro-cid-tnnyocjb> <div class="block md:grid grid-cols-12 gap-10 px-3" data-astro-cid-tnnyocjb> <article class="text-base col-span-12 lg:col-span-9 z-10 max-w-3xl leading-7 font-normal" data-astro-cid-tnnyocjb> <section class="page-content" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <p class="lead" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> The most common <a href="/ancient-egypt/hieroglyphs" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>hieroglyphic</a> <b data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>titles</b> and <b data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>epithets</b> of the pharaohs. </p> <p data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <b data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Titles</b> are honourifics or adjectives that denote a characteristic to indicate the importance or position in the kingdom and usually placed <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>before</i> the cartouche. The pharaoh's titulary was an essential part of their identity and conveyed various aspects of their authority, divinity, and role in society. </p> <p data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <b data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Epithets</b> are descriptive phrases or adjectives used to supplement the titles or personal name, providing additional context and attributes, often of a religious or symbolic nature, and were placed <em data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>after</em> the cartouche. To link the pharaoh, who was regarded as a divine figure, with the people and the gods, unique epithets were coined for him upon his accession to the throne. </p> <h2 class="py-5" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>The fivefold titulary</h2> <p data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> The standard naming convention by the pharaohs of ancient Egypt is known as the fivefold titulary. We are largely unaware of the details involved in selecting the four names announced at the presumed coronation celebration, but it served as a mission statement for the monarch's reign, although it sometimes changed during their reign. No king from the Early Dynastic period and just a few from the Old Kingdom used all five names, and even the latter group did not always present them in the sequence we expect. </p> <h3 class="shine border-b pt-8 dark:border-shark-700" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>The Horus name</h3> <p data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="float-left my-2 h-36 pr-5 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/serekh2.svg" loading="lazy" alt="Horus name" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> First of the five titularies is the Horus name consists of a falcon  and a rectangular <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>serekh</i>  representing the god Horus and the royal palace respectively.<br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> The symbolism of Horus perched upon the palace establish a close relationship between the divine Horus and the earthly might of the King. The king’s name or title was written in the empty space of the serekh to to indicate which king sat on the throne. When part of a longer text, the serekh was practically never drawn, probably for aesthetic reasons. </p> <p class="p-0" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Consider these different representations of Ramesses II’s Horus name:</p> <div class="mx-auto w-full py-3 text-center" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> A <img class="my-2 inline h-36 pr-10 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/ramesses2v1.svg" loading="lazy" alt="Horus name vertical" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> B <img class="my-2 inline h-36 pr-10 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/ramesses2v2.svg" loading="lazy" alt="Horus name vertical without serekh" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> C <img class="my-2 inline h-10 pr-10 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/ramesses2h2.svg" loading="lazy" alt="Horus name horizontal" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> D <img class="my-2 inline h-10 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/ramesses2h1.svg" loading="lazy" alt="Horus name horizontal with serekh" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> </div> <p class="py-3" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> Variants <b data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>A</b>, <b data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>B</b>, and <b data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>C</b> are found in hieroglyphic texts, whereas <b data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>D</b> is generally only used in modern times to facilitate transcription when copying a hieroglyphic text. The Horus Name gradually lost some of its significance compared to the <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>prenomen</i> and <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>nomen</i> titles, but it remained a component of the formal titulary until the last pharaoh. </p> <h3 class="shine border-b pt-8 dark:border-shark-700" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>The Nebty name</h3> <p data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="float-left my-2 h-16 pr-5 dark:invert" loading="lazy" src="/svg/hiero/t_nebty.svg" alt="Nebty name" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> The cobra-headed goddess Wadjet was the matron and guardian of Lower Egypt in her cobra form. Her Upper Egyptian namesake was the vulture-headed Nekhbet. After the unification of Lower and Upper Egypt, they became Egypt’s shared protectors and patrons. The name comes from the goddesses, seated on baskets, which read as <tlit data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>nb.ti</tlit>, meaning the “Two Ladies”, signify unity of the Two Lands. </p> <h3 class="shine border-b pt-8 dark:border-shark-700" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>The Golden Horus name</h3> <p data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="float-left my-2 h-16 pr-5 dark:invert" loading="lazy" src="/svg/hiero/t_gold.svg" alt="Golden name" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> The meaning of this part of the titulary is somewhat uncertain. It has a falcon representing Horus perched on the symbol of ‘gold’, which was strongly linked to ‘eternity’. The Golden Falcon name may reflect the same idea of eternity, expressing the king's desire to be an eternal Horus. <br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> Gold was thought to be the flesh of the gods in Ancient Egypt, while silver was their bones. It is possible to see in this title an identification of the pharaoh with the divine Horus and of the sustainability of the monarchy. </p> <h3 class="shine border-b pt-8 dark:border-shark-700" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>The throne name</h3> <p data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="float-left my-2 h-16 pr-5 dark:invert" loading="lazy" src="/svg/hiero/t_nesut.svg" alt="Birth name" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> The fourth part of the titulary, the <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Throne name</i>, or <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Prenomen</i>, was created for the coronation of the new pharaoh. Represented by a papyrus plant and a bee, it read as <tlit data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>nsw-bi.ti</tlit> which translates to ‘King of Upper and Lower Egypt’, or ‘The Dual King’ referencing Egypt’s geographical duality. </p> <p data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> Royal names were enclosed by an elongated ring <img class="my-0 inline h-6 px-1 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/cartouche.svg" loading="lazy" alt="Cartouche" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> known as <tlit data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>šnw</tlit>, a <em data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Shenu</em> in ancient Egyptian, which offered the name eternal protection. The protection was only available to royalty and applied to both the <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>prenomen</i> and <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>nomen</i>. The modern name is for the ring is <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>cartouche</i>, from early 19th-century French scholars who thought they resembled paper gunpowder cartridges. </p> <h3 class="shine border-b pt-8 dark:border-shark-700" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>The personal name</h3> <p data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="float-left my-2 h-16 pr-5 dark:invert" loading="lazy" src="/svg/hiero/t_sara.svg" alt="Birth name" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> This was the personal name given at birth. It was preceded by the title ‘Son of Ra’ and followed by the name itself, protected inside of a cartouche. For most of history, the principal name used was the prenomen alone, or accompanied only by the nomen. We commonly call the ancient pharaohs by this name and use numbering (like "II" and "III") to tell apart those with identical names. In recent decades, it has become more usual to differentiate pharaohs by using their original (non-Hellenistic) prenomen and nomen. </p> <h2 class="py-5" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Epithets</h2> <p data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>To reinforce or emphasise a particular aspect or function of the king, epithets were added to the royal titles.</p>  <div class="flex flex-wrap gap-5 py-10" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <div class="wkard" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="mb-3 h-16 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/t_nesu.svg" loading="lazy" alt="King of Upper Egypt" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> King, King of Upper Egypt<br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Nesut</i><br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <tlit data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>nswt</tlit> <p class="p-2 text-sm" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2></p> </div> <div class="wkard" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="mb-3 h-16 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/t_netjernefer.svg" loading="lazy" alt="The Good God" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> The good god<br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Netjer nefer</i><br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <tlit data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>nṯr-nfr</tlit> <p class="p-2 text-sm" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>The ‘young god’ might be more accurate meaning than the traditional ‘good god’.</p> </div> <div class="wkard" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="mb-3 h-16 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/t_nebtawy.svg" loading="lazy" alt="Lord of the Two Lands" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> Lord of the Two Lands<br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Neb tawy</i><br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <tlit data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>nb-tꜢwy</tlit> <p class="p-2 text-sm" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> Sometimes found after the ‘Dual King’ <img class="inline h-4 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/nbtawy.svg" loading="lazy" alt="Lord of the Two Lands" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> but before the cartouche, further emphasising the duality of the king. </p> </div> <div class="wkard" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="mb-3 h-16 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/t_nebkhau.svg" loading="lazy" alt="Lord of Apparitions/Crowns" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> Lord of Apparitions/Crowns<br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Neb khau</i><br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <tlit data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>nb-ḫꜢw</tlit><br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <p class="p-2 text-sm" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> Sometimes found after the ‘son of Ra’ <img class="inline h-4 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/nbxaw.svg" loading="lazy" alt="Great Royal Wife hieroglyphs" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> but before the cartouche. </p> </div> <div class="wkard" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="mb-3 h-16 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/t_kanakht.svg" loading="lazy" alt="Strong bull" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> Strong bull<br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Ka nakht</i><br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <tlit data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>kꜢ-nḫt</tlit> <p class="p-2 text-sm" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Often part of the Horus name</p> </div> <div class="wkard" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="mb-3 h-16 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/t_ankhdjeta.svg" loading="lazy" alt="Life everlasting" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> Life everlasting<br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Ankh djeta</i><br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <tlit data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Ꜥnḫ-ḏt-tꜢ</tlit> <p class="p-2 text-sm" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Found after the cartouche.</p> </div> <div class="wkard" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="mb-3 h-16 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/t_maakheru.svg" loading="lazy" alt="True of Voice" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> True of Voice<br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Maa kheru</i><br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <span class="tlit" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>mꜢꜤ-ḫrw</span> <p class="p-2 text-sm" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Used to indicate that the king had died and become a god. Placed after the cartouche.</p> </div> <div class="wkard" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="mb-3 h-16 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/t_lph.svg" loading="lazy" alt="LPH" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> Life, Prosperity, Health<br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Ankh wedja seneb</i><br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <span class="tlit" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Ꜥnx-wḏꜢ-snb</span> <p class="p-2 text-sm" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Found after the names of the king, well-wishing phrase meaning ‘stay alive, be strong and healthy’.</p> </div> </div> <h2 class="py-5" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>The king’s family</h2> <div class="flex flex-wrap gap-5" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <div class="kard" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="mb-3 h-16 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/wrt.svg" loading="lazy" alt="Great Royal Wife hieroglyphs" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> The Great Royal Wife<br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Hemet Nesut Weret</i><br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <span class="tlit" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>hmt-nswt-wrt</span> <p class="p-2 text-sm" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Pharaoh’s main wife, as opposed to lesser wives and concubines.</p> </div> <div class="kard" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="mb-3 h-16 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/t_wife.svg" loading="lazy" alt="The King’s wife hieroglyphs" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> The King’s wife<br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Hemet Nesu</i><br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <span class="tlit" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>hmt-nsw</span> </div> <div class="kard" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="mb-3 h-16 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/t_mother.svg" loading="lazy" alt="The King’s mother hieroglyphs" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> The King’s mother<br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Mut Nesu</i><br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <span class="tlit" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>mwt-nsw</span> </div> <div class="kard" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="mb-3 h-16 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/t_father.svg" loading="lazy" alt="The King’s father hieroglyphs" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> The King’s father<br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>It Nesu</i><br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <span class="tlit" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>it-nsw</span> </div> <div class="kard" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="mb-3 h-16 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/t_son.svg" loading="lazy" alt="The King’s son hieroglyphs" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> The King’s son<br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Sa Nesu</i><br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <span class="tlit" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>sꜢ-nsw</span> </div> <div class="kard" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="mb-3 h-16 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/t_daughter.svg" loading="lazy" alt="The King’s daugher hieroglyphs" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> The King’s daughter<br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Sat Nesu</i><br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <span class="tlit" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>sꜢt-nsw</span> </div> <div class="kard" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="mb-3 h-16 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/t_brother.svg" loading="lazy" alt="The King’s brother hieroglyphs" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> The King’s brother<br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Sen Nesu</i><br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <span class="tlit" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>sn-nsw</span> </div> <div class="kard" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="mb-3 h-16 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/t_sister.svg" loading="lazy" alt="The King’s sister hieroglyphs" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> The King’s sister<br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Senet Nesu</i><br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <span class="tlit" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>snt-nsw</span> </div> <div class="kard" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="mb-3 h-16 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/t_crownprince.svg" loading="lazy" alt="The crown-prince hieroglyphs" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> The crown-prince<br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Inep</i><br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <span class="tlit" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>inp</span> </div> <div class="kard" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="mb-3 h-16 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/t_hereditaryprince.svg" loading="lazy" alt="The hereditary prince hieroglyphs" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> The hereditary prince<br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Repat</i><br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <span class="tlit" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>rpꜤt</span> </div> </div> <p class="pt-8" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> In hieroglyphic inscriptions, the associated titles and epithets provide insights into the roles and status of pharaohs, officials, priests, and gods and are essential for deciphering and understanding the rich history and culture of ancient Egypt. </p> <h2 class="py-5" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Other</h2> <p data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>There are number of common formulas and expressions, and otherwise well-known words origination in ancient Egypt.</p> <div class="flex flex-wrap gap-5 py-10" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <div class="kard" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="mb-3 h-16 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/htpdinsw.svg" loading="lazy" alt="King of Upper Egypt" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> An offering given by the king<br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Hotep di nesut</i><br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <tlit data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>ḥtp ḏi nsw</tlit> <p class="p-2 text-sm" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2></p> </div> <div class="kard" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <img class="mb-3 h-16 dark:invert" src="/svg/hiero/mummy-sah.svg" loading="lazy" alt="Mummy" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> Mummy<br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <i data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>Sah</i><br data-astro-cid-oufm6so2> <tlit data-astro-cid-oufm6so2>sꜤḥ</tlit> <p class="p-2 text-sm" data-astro-cid-oufm6so2></p> </div> </div> </section> <div class="py-10 my-5 print:hidden" aria-hidden="true"> <img src="/svg/thoth.svg" loading="lazy" class="mx-auto h-28 opacity-50 transition duration-300 hover:opacity-100" alt="Thoth" title="You have reached the end of the page. This is Thoth, the wise God of writing and hieroglyphs." srcset=""> <p class="text-center uppercase font-sans text-xs pt-3"> <abbr class="text-stone-400 dark:text-shark-700 no-underline" title="Latin for: Nothing comes from nothing">Ex nihilo nihil fit</abbr> </p> </div> <div class="hidden print:block print:py-20 text-center"> <h3>Original text from:</h3><a href="https://pharaoh.se{currentPath}" class="font-mono text-sm text-black"><img src="/svg/pharaohse.svg" alt="Pharaoh.SE" class="w-60 mx-auto block">https://pharaoh.se/ancient-egypt/titles-and-epithets/</a> </div> </article> <aside class="hidden lg:grid lg:col-span-3 print:hidden border-s border-stone-300 dark:border-shark-900 dark:bg-darky" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f> <div class="flex h-full px-5 overflow-y-auto sm:w-64 w-80 font-sans" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f> <nav class="-mx-3 space-y-8 pb-36" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f> <div class="space-y-1" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f> <label for="pharaohs" class="px-3 text-base font-bold text-stone-800 uppercase dark:text-shark-400" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Pharaohs</label> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/pharaohs" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Pharaohs</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/dynasties" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Dynasties</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/chronology" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Chronology</a> </div> <div class="space-y-1" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f> <label for="Egyptian king lists" class="px-3 text-base font-bold text-stone-800/80 uppercase dark:text-shark-400" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Egyptian king lists</label> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglists" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Overview</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/abydos-canon" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Abydos Canon</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/karnak-canon" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Karnak Canon</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/saqqara-canon" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Saqqara Canon</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/compare-canons" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Compare canons</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/medinet-habu-canon" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Medinet Habu Canon</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/ramesseum-canon" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Ramesseum Canon</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/marseille" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Marseille offering table</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/other" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Minor king lists</a> </div> <div class="space-y-1" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f> <label for="Turin king list" class="px-3 text-base font-bold text-stone-800/80 uppercase dark:text-shark-400" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Turin king list</label> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/turin" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Overview</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/turin-history" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>History</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/turin-contents" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Contents</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/turin-fragments" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Fragments</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/turin-vorlage" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Vorlage</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/turin-gallery" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Gallery</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/turin-recto" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Recto</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/turin/library" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Library</a> </div> <div class="space-y-1" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f> <label for="Historians" class="px-3 text-base font-bold text-stone-800 uppercase dark:text-shark-400" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Historians</label> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/herodotus" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Herodotus</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/manetho" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Manetho</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/manetho-king-list" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Manetho’s king list</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/africanus" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Africanus</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/eusebius" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Eusebius</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/josephus" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Josephus</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/diodorus" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Diodorus</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/jerome" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>St. Jerome</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/eratosthenes" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Eratosthenes</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/kinglist/syncellus" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Syncellus</a> </div> <div class="space-y-1" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f> <label for="Ancient Egypt: Miscellaneous" class="px-3 text-base font-bold text-stone-800 uppercase dark:text-shark-400" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Ancient Egypt</label> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/obelisks" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Obelisks</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/temples-and-monuments" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Monuments & Temples</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/hieroglyphs" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Hieroglyphs</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/cartography" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Cartography</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/egyptology" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Egyptology</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/titles-and-epithets" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Titles & epithets</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/book-series" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Important books</a>  <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/battle-of-kadesh" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Battle of Kadesh</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/bibliography" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Bibliography</a> </div> <div class="space-y-1" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f> <label for="Ancient Egypt Periods" class="px-3 text-base font-bold text-stone-800 uppercase dark:text-shark-400" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Periods</label> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/period/old-kingdom" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Old Kingdom</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/period/first-intermediate-period" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>First Intermediate</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/period/middle-kingdom" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Middle Kingdom</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/period/second-intermediate-period" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Second Intermediate</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/period/new-kingdom" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>New Kingdom</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/period/third-intermediate-period" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Third Intermediate</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/period/late-period" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Late Period</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/period/roman-emperors" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Roman Egypt</a> <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/period/unplaced-kings" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Unplaced kings</a> </div> <div class="space-y-1" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f> <label for="About these pages" class="px-3 text-base font-bold text-stone-800 uppercase dark:text-shark-400" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Pharaoh.se</label>  <a class="list-link" href="/ancient-egypt/curiosities" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Curiosities</a> <a class="list-link" href="/privacy" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>Privacy</a> <a class="list-link" href="/about" data-astro-cid-ssfzsv2f>About / Contact</a> </div> </nav> </div> </aside> </div> </div> <footer class="g2 text-stone-100 print:hidden"> <div class="text-center font-sans container mx-auto pb-20 sm:pb-0"> <div class="flex flex-col gap-x-10 sm:flex-row flex-wrap items-center justify-center min-h-[320px]"> <div class="flex-0 w-28 place-items-end my-5 sm:my-0"> <a href="/" class="no-underline"><img src="/svg/palm.svg" class="w-28 glow opacity-70 hover:opacity-100" loading="lazy" title="To the start of Pharaoh.SE" alt="Pharaoh.SE logo"><span class="hide">Back to the Homepage</span></a> </div> <div class="flex-1 max-w-fit text-sm text-softy"> A website mostly about the kings of ancient Egypt.<br>Information provided "as is".<br> <span class="text-amber-100">© 2011–2025 Peter Lundström | v. 4.5 </span><br>Errors & omissions are possible. <em>Always check the sources!</em><br>Designed for wide screens — but works on smaller screens too <div class="mt-3 text-sm flex w-fit mx-auto"> <a rel="noopener nofollow" class="text-center text-stone-300 hover:text-amber-200" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank"> <img src="/svg/by.svg" class="w-8 opacity-25 hover:opacity-75 mr-2" loading="lazy" alt="BY"></a> <a rel="noopener nofollow" class="text-center text-stone-300 hover:text-amber-200" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/" target="_blank"> <img src="/svg/cc.svg" class="w-8 opacity-25 hover:opacity-75 mr-2" loading="lazy" alt="CC"></a> <img src="/svg/gh.svg" class="w-8 opacity-50 mr-2" loading="lazy" alt="Github"> <img src="/svg/netlify.svg" class="w-8 opacity-50" loading="lazy" alt="Netlify"> </div> <p class="pb-10"> Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License   <a class="text-stone-300 hover:text-amber-200" href="/privacy">Privacy policy</a> </p> </div> <div class="flex-0 w-28 my-5 sm:my-0 shadow-lg text-sm text-softy"> PHARAOH.SE<img src="/svg/qr.svg" class="h-28 w-28" loading="lazy" alt="QR"> </div> </div> </div> </footer> <script src="/scripts/fancybox.js"></script> <button onclick="topFunction()" id="toppen" title="Go to top" class="print:hidden" data-astro-cid-tnnyocjb><svg class="inline print:hidden" width="24" height="24" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" data-astro-cid-tnnyocjb><path d="M17.6569 16.2427L19.0711 14.8285L12.0001 7.75739L4.92896 14.8285L6.34317 16.2427L12.0001 10.5858L17.6569 16.2427Z" fill="currentColor" data-astro-cid-tnnyocjb></path></svg> Back to top</button> <script> let butt = document.getElementById("toppen"); window.onscroll = function () { scrollFunction(); }; function scrollFunction() { if (document.body.scrollTop > 600 || document.documentElement.scrollTop > 600) { butt.style.display = "block"; } else { butt.style.display = "none"; } } // When the user clicks on the button, scroll to the top of the document function topFunction() { document.body.scrollTop = 0; // For Safari document.documentElement.scrollTop = 0; // For Chrome, Firefox, IE and Opera } </script> </body> </html>