Society: Royal Titles
Nesut biti's name from Ramses II Usermaatra-setepenra Image credits: Khruner wikimedia commons
The titles adopted by kings are a significant source of confusion for those delving into Kemet's culture. The confusion doesn't stem from understanding the concept of a royal name but from the complexity and multitude of titles a king possesses and is recognized by.
Ordinary individuals were given a single name at birth. Some may have had a secret name known only to themselves, a practice that only appeared sporadically throughout history and has little bearing on our studies. The belief that knowing someone's name granted insight into all their secrets prompted many to seek a secret name, akin to the deities. This is exemplified in the tale where Aset learns Ra's secret name, gaining power over him.
Focusing on royal names, it's important to note that up to six different ones can be identified. To unravel this tangle of titles, we'll examine each one individually.
Initially, there is the birth name given to a king at his birth. From the Fourth Dynasty onward, this name was prefixed with 'Sa-Ra' (Son of Ra) and inscribed within a cartouche (serekh).
Additionally, there was a coronation name, referred to as the 'Nesut-bity' name or 'Two Ladies' name, which signified his reign over Upper and Lower Egypt. The 'Nebty' name, associated with the goddesses Nekhbet and Wadjet, symbolized the king's divine protection.
The 'Horus' name was another crucial title, indicating the king's divine embodiment of Horus, the falcon god who was considered the ruler of Kemet par excellence (surpassing even his father Osiris as the foremost deity). By adopting this title, the king aligned himself with Horus and legitimized his rule.
Stele of King Dyet with his name Jer (Horus) in the Louvre museum. Image credits: Guillaume Blanchard
At the same time he was named king, he was given a third title, 'nesut biti' (literally 'the reed and bee'), which signified sovereignty over Upper and Lower Kemet. This title symbolized the unification of the nation and the king's governance over all Kemet. It held significant importance because, prior to the era most studied by Egyptologists, the country was divided into two separate regions: north and south. This title is commonly seen in contemporary lists of kings. The origin of the name, as well as its connection to the reed and bee symbols of both regions, remains a mystery.
Additionally, there was a fourth title known as 'nebti' (the two ladies), linking the king with the two guardian goddesses of the country's north and south: Nekhbet and Wadjet. This designation was prevalent throughout various periods of Kemet's history but was considered a lesser title compared to others of greater significance.
A fifth title akin to 'nebti' is 'jer nub,' presently referred to as 'Golden Horus' (Golden Jer). Like 'nebti,' it was a title used extensively throughout most of Kemet's history but held a subordinate status in the standard royal titulary.
Lastly, there emerged a name from a certain point at the start of Kemet's unified history: 'Sa Ra' or 'son of Ra.' This appellation designated the king as the offspring of the deity Ra, thereby legitimizing his earthly authority during an era when Ra was the preeminent national god. Although it was the king's birth name, it gained legitimacy and association with Ra upon his ascension to the throne.
Thus, we see that there are five names used to refer to the kings (six if we count the transformation of the birth name into that of Sa Ra), but it is still unclear how a citizen or any official referred to their king. Under what name did they address him? Despite the king having five names, most were seldom used or known by the people. Therefore, we can establish the following criteria: First, the name of Jer, the one on the throne, followed by that of Nesut biti and that of Sa Ra once this name was established. Examples will clarify this further.
Selecting the most prominent king from the period known as the Old Kingdom, Neterjet Yeser, we observe that he is referred to by two names. Neterjet is his Jer name, adopted when he is crowned king, and Yeser is his Nesut biti name, symbolizing the unification of the two lands. This latter name was how the people knew him, despite his having other names. This blog follows these criteria when referring to kings.
Taking another example from a time when the Sa Ra name was already part of the royal title, we find King Neterjau Neferkara Pepi. The first name is his Jer name, the second is his Nesut biti name, and the third is his Sa Ra name, which was also his birth name.
Thus, although royal titles may initially seem very complex, adhering to these guidelines makes them completely understandable and allows us to view the kings' names in a more logical and rational manner. As always, there's a high risk of error due to numerous poor translations and transliterations of names today. However, by examining each name's correct translation, we can accurately refer to each king as they were known in ancient Kemet.
To enhance our understanding of historical nomenclature, it's pertinent to recognize that royal names were traditionally inscribed within what is contemporarily referred to as a cartouche. The term 'serej' denotes its original nomenclature. Consequently, the presence of text within such a cartouche invariably signifies that it pertains to a monarch's name.
Bibliography
Gentes del Valle del Nilo: la sociedad egipcia durante el período faraónico - José Miguel Parra Ortiz
Dones del cielo. Abeja y miel en el mediterráneo antiguo - Pilar Fenández Uriel
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