King Narmer—The First Nesut-Bity
Today we meet King Narmer, a pivotal figure in ancient Egyptian history, who lived around 3150 BCE, and the inspiration for one of the most fun characters in the YA fantasy novel, Treasures of Egypt. He is celebrated as the first ruler to unify Egypt, marking the beginning of Egypt as a unified nation-state. Yet, Narmer's story is also entwined with another ruler, Menes, who is sometimes considered distinct from Narmer and at other times believed to be the same person. This duality of identity makes Narmer's early life and the exact process of unification subjects of considerable debate among Egyptologists.
Pre-Unification of Egypt
Before Narmer's reign, Egypt was divided into two regions: Upper and Lower Egypt, each with its own distinct culture and rulers. The process of unification likely began before Narmer's time, as evidenced by the activities of his predecessors, Ka and Iry-Hor, and perhaps even earlier with a ruler named Scorpion I. These earlier rulers showed evidence of exerting influence over Lower Egypt, although their inscriptions suggest more trade than political subjugation.
Narmer's Conquest and Unification
Narmer, however, took a more decisive role. The Narmer Palette, a significant archaeological find, depicts him wearing the crowns of both Upper and Lower Egypt, symbolizing his rule over the unified land. Think of the American Declaration of Independence but Egyptian and thousands of years old and you will have an idea of the palette’s cultural significance for the Egyptians. This artifact, along with others like cylinder seals, the Narmer Year Label, and the Narmer Boxes, highlight the importance Narmer placed on this unification. It's suggested that Narmer completed this process through the conquest of a polity in the North-West Delta, as depicted on the Narmer Palette.
The Narmer Palette
The Narmer Palette, discovered in 1898 at Hierakonpolis (Nekhen), is one of the most iconic artifacts from ancient Egypt. It is a ceremonial shield-shaped slate carved with intricate relief images. The palette's two sides show Narmer wearing the crowns of Upper and Lower Egypt, symbolically representing the unification of the two regions. One interpretation of the palette is that it commemorates Narmer's victory over the North and the unification of Egypt. However, some scholars argue that it may not directly represent historical events but rather symbolize the ritual defeat of chaos and establishment of Ma’at (balance/order), a fundamental role of the king.
Narmer's Legacy and Achievements
Narmer's reign left a lasting impact on Egyptian history and culture. His unification of Egypt laid the groundwork for one of the most influential civilizations in human history. Subsequent rulers emulated his accomplishments and paid homage to his reign. His name, inscribed in numerous locations across Egypt and beyond, shows his widespread influence and the active economic presence Egypt had under his rule during his reign.
Relationship with Neithhotep
Intriguingly, Narmer's name was found alongside that of Hor-Aha in what is believed to be the tomb of Neithhotep, suggesting she was Narmer's wife and mother of Hor-Aha. The tomb's location and the meaning of Neithhotep's name, "Neith is satisfied," indicate she might have been a princess from Lower Egypt, possibly consolidating the two regions through marriage. However, the exact nature of their relationship remains a subject of scholarly debate. What we do know however is that Neithhotep wasn’t simply the king’s wife but an important historical figure in her own right. Since she doesn’t appear in Treasures of Egypt, there isn’t going to be an entry for her in the Real History series. But I do encourage you to research this incredible queen. Here you will find a Twitter post of mine about her. I hope this would be a good starting point for your research.
Tomb and Artifacts
Narmer's tomb, located in Umm el-Qa'ab near Abydos in Upper Egypt, is a significant archaeological site. Despite being pillaged repeatedly over the millennia, important discoveries have been made in the tomb, including inscriptions, seal impressions, flint arrowheads, and fragments of an ebony chair leg. These findings are crucial for understanding the early history of Egypt and Narmer's place within it.
Controversies and Interpretations
A long-standing debate among Egyptologists revolves around whether Narmer and Menes are the same person. Menes is credited with unifying Egypt and founding the First Dynasty according to the Abydos King List commissioned by King Seti I. A study compiled a list of 69 Egyptologists' opinions on the matter, with a slight majority favoring Narmer as Menes. This debate exemplifies the complexities and challenges in understanding ancient Egyptian history.
The exact dates of Narmer's reign are hard to pin down due to the difficulties in establishing absolute dates for ancient Egypt. Estimates vary, but combining historical methods and radiocarbon dating suggests that Narmer's reign might have started between 3273 and 2987 BC.
Narmer's Enduring Influence
Narmer's influence persisted long after his reign, with his unification of Egypt being a defining moment in the country's history. His legacy is evident in the reverence subsequent rulers held for him, and his name became synonymous with the founder of the Egyptian civilization. To this day Egyptians still name their children “Mena” in honor of the man who founded their ancient country.
Narmer in Treasures of Egypt
Spoiler Warning: This section contains spoilers for the novel "Treasures of Egypt."
In "Treasures of Egypt," readers are introduced to a fictionalized portrayal of King Narmer. Set in the mystical city of Byblos in Duat, this version of Narmer differs from the historical figure, though his foundational backstory remains the same.
In the novel, Narmer has been dead for thousands of years by the time our protagonists, Nefiri and Khafset, encounter him. To these characters, Narmer is more a legend than a historical figure, a distant echo from a long-gone era. Yes, Egypt is so old that the ancient Egyptians had their own ancient Egyptians.
While Narmer's historical accomplishments as the unifier of Egypt are retained in the novel, his role in Byblos is entirely a creation of fiction. He is depicted as ruling over the Ennead of Byblos, an imaginary council composed of nine pharaohs. This council governs the city, adding a layer of mythical governance to the story's setting.
Another fictional aspect of Narmer in the novel is his fusion with Maat, the ancient Egyptian concept of truth, balance, order, harmony, law, morality, and justice. This fusion is a creative liberty taken by me to weave a more mystical narrative, blending historical elements with fantastical ones.
Conclusion
King Narmer's life and reign epitomize a fascinating and foundational era in Egyptian history. His remarkable achievements in unifying Egypt, coupled with the enduring legacy he crafted, captivate scholars, enthusiasts, and the hearts of Egyptians alike. It is a testament to his impact that, thousands of years after his journey to the afterlife, his name continues to resonate in the minds of his people.
Remember to cast the spell of regular updates to be the first to know about new posts, novels, and get many behind-the-scenes exclusives. If you would like to meet Narmer in the realm of fiction, consider checking out my YA fantasy novel “Treasures of Egypt: the Spear & the Scythe.”
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