Netjerkares

Netjerkares was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the Eighth Dynasty during the First Intermediate Period. His reign is sparsely documented, making it difficult to establish a precise chronology or extent of his rule. He is primarily known from his inclusion in the Turin King List, a vital source for Egyptian dynastic history.

Little is known about Netjerkares' family or his specific achievements. The Eighth Dynasty itself is characterized by a fragmentation of royal authority and a succession of short-lived rulers, often based in Memphis. The inscriptions and monuments from this period are scarce, which contributes to the limited information available about individual pharaohs like Netjerkares.

The Turin King List, compiled during the New Kingdom, lists Netjerkares among the rulers of the Eighth Dynasty. This list provides the names and durations of reigns, though the papyrus is damaged in places, leading to some uncertainty. His presence on this list confirms his status as a recognized pharaoh, however brief his rule may have been. Archaeological evidence directly attributable to Netjerkares is virtually nonexistent. The political instability of the First Intermediate Period meant that royal power was often localized, and pharaohs had limited resources to undertake large-scale building projects or expeditions that would leave lasting inscriptions. Therefore, Netjerkares remains a somewhat enigmatic figure in the annals of ancient Egypt.