Den (pharaoh)
| Den | |
|---|---|
| Udimu, Dewen | |
“MacGregor-Label” from Den's tomb in Abydos, EA 55586
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|
| Pharaoh | |
| Reign | 42 years, starting c. 2970 BC (1st Dynasty) |
| Coregency | Merneith |
| Predecessor | Djet, Merneith |
| Successor | Anedjib |
| Consort | Semat, Nakht-Neith ? Qua-Neith ? |
| Father | Djet |
| Mother | Merneith |
| Burial | Tomb T, Umm el-Qa'ab |
Den, also known as Hor-Den, Dewen and Udimu, is the Horus name of a pharaoh of the Early Dynastic Period who ruled during the First Dynasty of Egypt. He is the best archaeologically-attested ruler of this period. Den is said to have brought prosperity to his realm and numerous innovations are attributed to his reign. He was the first to use the title "King of Lower and Upper Egypt", and the first depicted as wearing the double crown (red and white). The floor of his tomb at Umm el-Qa'ab near Abydos is made of red and black granite, the first time in Egypt this hard stone was used as a building material. During his long reign he established many of the patterns of court ritual and royalty used by later rulers and he was held in high regard by his immediate successors.
The Ancient Egyptian historian Manetho called him “Oúsaphaîdos” and credited him with a reign of 20 years, whilst the Royal Canon of Turin is damaged and therefore unable to provide information about the duration of Den's reign.Egyptologists and historians generally believe that Den had a reign of 42 years, based on inscriptions on the Palermo Stone.
Den's serekh name is well attested on earthen seal impressions, on ivory labels and in inscriptions on vessels made of schist, diorite and marble. The artifacts were found at Abydos, Sakkara and Abu Rawash. Den's name is also attested in later documents. For example, the Medical Papyrus of Berlin (Ramesside era) discusses several methods of treatment and therapies for a number of different diseases. Some of these methods are said to originate from the reign of Den, but this statement may merely be trying to make the medical advice sound traditional and authoritative. Similarly, Den is mentioned in the Papyrus of Ani (also dated to Ramesside times) in chapter 64.
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