Berossus & Manetho · a new plain-English translation from the original language
F6. Since the dates of the Egyptian dynasties from Mestraim down to Nektanabo prove useful in many of the inquiries occupied with chronology, yet these, as taken from Manetho, have been handed down by the church historians in disagreement both as to the kings' names and as to the quantity of their regnal years — and as to under which of them Joseph governed Egypt, and after him Moses, who saw God, led Israel's journey out of Egypt — I judged it necessary to select the editions of the two most distinguished, and to set them beside one another: Africanus, I mean, and after him Eusebius called the son of Pamphilus, so that anyone applying himself rightly may learn which opinion comes nearer the truth of scripture; knowing this before all with precision, that Africanus adds twenty years to the times from Adam to the flood, and would have 2,262 years instead of 2,242 — which does not seem sound; while Eusebius set down 2,242 rightly, in agreement with scripture. But in the times from the flood to Abraham and Moses both went astray by the 130 years of the second Kainan, son of Arphaxad — a generation, the thirteenth from Adam, which stands in the divine evangelist Luke. Africanus, however, in the twenty years he had added between Adam and the flood, had already snatched these away in part, and in the matter of Kainan and what follows falls short by only 110; hence he reckoned 3,202 years to the first year of Abraham. Eusebius, subtracting the whole 130, gave out 3,184 to the first year of Abraham.
F6. On the dynasties of Egypt [after the flood], according to Africanus. First: after the spirits of the dead and the demigods, a first dynasty of eight kings is counted. Of these Menes the Thinite reigned first, 62 years; he was carried off by a hippopotamus and perished. 2. Athothis his son, 57 years: he who built the palace at Memphis; books of anatomy by him are in circulation, for he was a physician. 3. Kenkenes his son, 31 years. 4. Ouenephes his son, 23 years; in his time a great famine gripped Egypt. He raised the pyramids near Kochome. 5. Ousaphaidos his son, 20 years. 6. Miebidos his son, 26 years. 7. Semempses his son, 18 years; in his time a very great pestilence gripped Egypt. 8. Bieneches his son, 26 years. Together, 253 years. The matter of the first dynasty Eusebius also set out much as Africanus did.
F7. On the dynasties of the Egyptians [after the flood], according to Eusebius. After the spirits of the dead and the demigods they count a first dynasty of eight kings, among whom was Menes, who led them with distinction; beginning from him we shall write up the kings of each line, whose succession runs in this manner: 1. Menes the Thinite and his seventeen (in another copy, seven) descendants — whom Herodotus named Men — reigned 60 years (30 in the Latin). He led an expedition beyond the borders and was judged glorious, and was carried off by a hippopotamus. 2. Athothis his son ruled 27 years; he built the palace at Memphis, practiced medicine, and composed books of anatomy. 3. Kenkenes his son, 39 years. 4. Ouenephes, 42 years; in his time famine gripped the land; he also raised the pyramids near Kochome. 5. Ousaphais, 20 years. 6. Niebais, 26 years. 7. Semempses, 18 years; in his time many portents occurred, and a very great pestilence. 8. Oubienthes, 26 years. All together they reigned 252 years.
F7. After the spirits and the heroes they count a first dynasty of eight kings; first among them stood Menes, preeminent in the glory of administering the kingdom; beginning from him we shall write carefully the several families of the rulers, whose successive series is woven thus: Menes the Thinite and his seven descendants (whom Herodotus called Men). He reigned 30 years. He also advanced with an army beyond the borders of his own land, and became famous for his deeds; he was carried off by a hippopotamus spirit. Athothis his son held the kingdom 27 years; he built himself the royal palace at Memphis, cultivated the art of medicine, and wrote books on the dissection of bodies. Kenkenes his son, 39 years. Vavenephis, 42, in whose age famine seized the land; he raised the pyramids near the town of Cho. Ousaphais, 20 years. Niebais, 26. Mempses, 18; under him many prodigies and a very great plague occurred. Vibesthes, 26. Sum of the dominion: 252 years.
F7a. I. First reigned Menes the Thinite, whose name is interpreted 'everlasting'; he reigned 62 years. It was the year of the world 2,080. II. Second of the Thebans reigned Athothes, son of Menes, 59 years; his name is interpreted Hermogenes. Year of the world 2,162. III. Third of the Theban Egyptians reigned Athothes of the same name, 32 years. It was the year of the world 3,021. IV. Fourth of the Thebans reigned Diabies son of Athothes, 19 years; his name is interpreted 'lover of bulls.' It was the year of the world 3,053. V. Fifth of the Thebans reigned Pemphos, son of Athothes, which is Heracleides.
F8. Second dynasty: nine Thinite kings, of whom the first, Boethos, 38 years; in his time a chasm opened at Bubastis and many perished. 2. Kaiechos, 39 years; in his time the bulls — Apis at Memphis and Mnevis at Heliopolis — and the Mendesian goat were held to be gods. 3. Binothris, 47 years; in his time it was decided that women could hold the privilege of kingship. 4. Tlas, 17 years. 5. Sethenes, 41 years. 6. Kaires, 17 years. 7. Nefercheres, 25 years; in his time, as the tale goes, the Nile flowed mixed with honey for eleven days. 8. Sesochris, 48 years — his height was 5 cubits, 3 palms. 9. Chenephres, 30 years. Together, 302 years. Together, the first and second dynasties after the flood: 555 years, according to the second edition of Africanus.
F9. Second dynasty of nine kings. First Bochos, in whose time a chasm opened at Bubastis and many perished. After him, second, Kaiechos, when Apis and Mnevis and also the Mendesian goat were held to be gods. 3. Biophis, in whose time it was decided that women too could hold the privilege of kingship. And after these three others, in whose time nothing notable occurred. 7. Under the seventh, the tale goes that the Nile flowed mixed with honey for eleven days. 8. After him Sesochris, 48 years, who is said to have stood 5 cubits, 3 palms in stature. 9. Under the ninth nothing worth recording took place. And they reigned 297 years. Together, the first and second dynasties: 549 years, according to the edition of Eusebius.
F10. Second dynasty of nine kings. First Bochos; under him a huge chasm sank open at Bubastis and swallowed many mortals. After him Kechoos; in whose time Apis and Mnevis and the Mendesian goat were thought to be gods. Then Biophis, under whom it was established by law that women too could obtain royal dignity. Then three others, in whose age no notable deed was done. Under the seventh, the tellers of myth say the river Nile flowed with honey together with water for eleven days. Then Sesochris, 48 years, whom they call five cubits tall and three palms broad. Under the ninth, finally, nothing worth remembering was done. These reigned 297 years.
F11. ACCORDING TO AFRICANUS. Third dynasty: nine Memphite kings. 1. Necherophes, 28 years — under him the Libyans rose against the Egyptians, and when the moon waxed beyond reason, they surrendered themselves out of fear. 2. Tosorthros, 29 years: he is held to be Asclepius among the Egyptians for his medicine, and invented building with dressed stone; he also gave attention to writing. 3. Tyris, 7 years. 4. Mesochris, 17 years. 5. Soyphis, 16 years. 6. Tosertasis, 19 years. 7. Aches, 42 years. 8. Sephouris (no years given). 9. Kerpheres, 26 years. Together, 214 years. Together, the three dynasties according to Africanus: 769 years.
F12. Third dynasty: eight Memphite kings. 1. Necherochis, in whose time the Libyans revolted from the Egyptians, and when the moon waxed beyond reason, they surrendered themselves out of fear. 2. After him Sesorthos, who was called Asclepius among the Egyptians for his medicine; he invented building with dressed stone, and gave attention to writing besides. The remaining six did nothing worth recording. And they reigned 198 years. Together, the three dynasties according to Eusebius: 747 years.
F12. Third dynasty of eight Memphite kings. Necherochis, under whom the Libyans defected from the Egyptians; soon, terrified by a monstrously waxing moon, they returned to obedience. Then Sosorthos, who for his medical art was called Asclepius by the Egyptians; he was also the originator of building with cut stone, and devoted care to the writing of books. The remaining six did nothing worth telling. The reign lasted 197 years (198 in the Greek).
F13. VI. Sixth of the Theban Egyptians reigned Momcheiri the Memphite, 79 years; his name is interpreted 'a man of superfluous limbs, therefore irresistible.' It was the year of the world 3,090. VII. Seventh of the Theban Egyptians reigned Stoichos his son — that is, Ares the unfeeling — 6 years. Year of the world 3,169. VIII. Eighth reigned Gosormies, that is, 'demander of all,' 30 years. Year of the world 3,175. IX. Ninth reigned Mares his son, that is, Heliodoros, 26 years. Year of the world 3,205. X. Tenth reigned Anoyphis, that is, 'the reveller,' 20 years. Year of the world 3,231. XI. Eleventh reigned Sirios, that is, 'son of the pupil of the eye' — or, as others say, 'proof against the evil eye' — 18 years. Year of the world 3,251. XII. Twelfth reigned Chnoubos Gneuros, that is, Chryses son of Chryses, 22 years. Year of the world 3,269. XIII. Thirteenth reigned Rhauosis, that is, 'master-ruler,' 13 years. Year of the world 3,291. XIV. Fourteenth reigned Biyres, 10 years. Year of the world 3,304.
F14. Fourth dynasty: eight kings of Memphis, of another family. 1. Soris, 29 years. 2. Souphis, 63 years — he who raised the greatest pyramid, which Herodotus says was built by Cheops. He became a despiser of the gods, and composed the sacred book, which I acquired as a great treasure when I was in Egypt. 3. Souphis, 66 years. 4. Mencheres, 63 years. 5. Ratoises, 25 years. 6. Bicheris, 22 years. 7. Sebercheres, 7 years. 8. Thamphthis, 9 years. Together, 274 years. Together, the four dynasties after the flood: 1,046 years, according to Africanus.
F15. Fourth dynasty: seventeen kings of Memphis, of another royal family. The third of them was Souphis, who raised the greatest pyramid, which Herodotus says was built by Cheops; he became a despiser of the gods — yet repenting, he composed the sacred book, which the Egyptians treat as a great treasure. Of the rest nothing worth recording was written. And they reigned 448 years. Together, the four dynasties after the flood: 1,195 years, according to Eusebius.
F16. Fourth dynasty of seventeen Memphite kings, of another royal family: the third of whom, Souphis, was builder of the greatest pyramid — which Herodotus says was built by Cheops — a man who was arrogant toward the very gods; then, repenting of the deed, he wrote the sacred book, which the Egyptians hold as a great treasure. Of the remaining kings nothing memorable has been committed to writing. The reign lasted 448 years.
F17. XV. Fifteenth of the Theban Egyptians reigned Saophis, 'the reveller' — or, according to some, 'the money-getter' — 29 years. Year of the world 3,314. XVI. Sixteenth reigned Saophis the Second, 27 years. Year of the world 3,343. XVII. Seventeenth reigned Moscheres, 'given by the sun,' 31 years. Year of the world 3,370. XVIII. Eighteenth reigned Mosthes, 33 years. Year of the world 3,401. XIX. Nineteenth reigned Pammes, 'the ruler,' 35 years. Year of the world 3,434.
F18. Fifth dynasty: eight (properly nine) kings from Elephantine. 1. Ousercheres, 28 years. 2. Sephres, 13 years. 3. Nefercheres, 20 years. 4. Sisires, 7 years. 5. Cheires, 20 years. 6. Rathoures, 9 years. 7. Mencheres, 9 years. 8. Tancheres, 44 years. 9. Onnos, 33 years. Together, 248 years. With those set down before, the four dynasties' 1,046 years make 1,294 years.
F19. Fifth dynasty of thirty-one kings from Elephantine. The first of them was Othoes, who was killed by his bodyguards. The fourth, Phiops, beginning his reign at six years old, reigned until his hundredth year. So with those set down before, the four dynasties' 1,195 years make 1,295.
F19. Fifth dynasty of thirty-one kings of Elephantine, of whom the first was Othius, who was killed by his own attendants. The fourth was Phiops, who held the royal dignity from the sixth year of his age up to the hundredth.
F20. Sixth dynasty: six Memphite kings. 1. Othoes, 30 years, who was killed by his bodyguards. 2. Phios, 53 years. 3. Methousouphis, 7 years. 4. Phiops, crowned at six years old, continuing to his hundredth year. 5. Menthesouphis, one year. 6. Nitokris, the most spirited and most beautiful woman of her time, fair of complexion, who raised the third pyramid: she reigned 12 years. Together, 203 years. With those set down before, the five dynasties make 1,497 years.
F21. Sixth dynasty. A woman, Nitokris, reigned — the most spirited and most beautiful of her time, being fair of complexion — who is also said to have built the third pyramid. And they reigned three years; in another copy, 203. With those set down before, the five dynasties make 1,498 years.
F21. Sixth dynasty. A certain woman, Nitocris, reigned — of all the men of her age the bravest, and of the women the most beautiful, fair-haired with red cheeks. By her, it is said, the third pyramid was raised, bearing the look of a hill. By these too the reign lasted 203 years.
F22. XX. This one, as they say, reigned beyond his season 100 years. Year of the world 3,469. XXI. Twenty-first of the Thebans reigned Echeskosokaras, one year. Year of the world 3,569. XXII. Twenty-second of the Thebans reigned Nitokris, a woman in place of her husband — that is, Athena the victory-bearer — 6 years. Year of the world 3,570.
F23. Seventh dynasty: seventy Memphite kings, who reigned seventy days.
F24. Seventh dynasty: five Memphite kings, who reigned seventy-five days.
F24. Seventh dynasty of five Memphite kings, who ruled seventy-five years (thus the text; properly days).
F25. Eighth dynasty: twenty-seven Memphite kings, who reigned 146 years. With those set down before, the eight dynasties make 1,639 years.
F26. Eighth dynasty: five Memphite kings, who reigned one hundred years. With those set down before, the eight dynasties make 1,598 years.
F26. Eighth dynasty of nine (margin: nineteen) Memphite kings, whose dominion took up one hundred years.
F27. Ninth dynasty: nineteen Heracleopolite kings, who reigned 409 years. The first of them, Achthoes, proving more terrible than those before him, worked evils on the people in all Egypt, but afterward fell into madness and was destroyed by a crocodile.
F28. Ninth dynasty: four Heracleopolite kings, who reigned one hundred years. The first of them, Achthoes, proving more terrible than those before him, worked evils on the people in all Egypt, but afterward fell into madness and was destroyed by a crocodile.
F28. Ninth dynasty of four Heracleopolite kings, one hundred years. The first of them, Ochitois, was the most savage of the kings who had gone before him, and afflicted the whole of Egypt with dire calamities; at last he was seized by madness and slain by a crocodile.
F29. Tenth dynasty: nineteen Heracleopolite kings, who reigned 125 years.
F30. Tenth dynasty: nineteen Heracleopolite kings, who reigned 185 years.
F30. Tenth dynasty of nineteen Heracleopolite kings, 185 years (187 in Samuel).
F31. Eleventh dynasty: sixteen Diospolite kings, who reigned 43 years. After them, Ammenemes, 16 years. To this point Manetho has brought down his first volume. Together: 192 kings; 2,300 years, 70 days.
F32. Eleventh dynasty: sixteen Diospolite kings, who reigned 43 years. After them, Ammemenes, 16 years. To this point Manetho has brought down his first volume. Together: 192 kings; 2,300 years, 75 days.
F32. Eleventh dynasty of sixteen kings, 43 years. After these, Ammemenes, 16 years. Thus far Manetho carried his first book. The kings are 192, the years 2,300.
F33. XXIII. Twenty-third of the Thebans reigned Myrtaios, 'given by Ammon,' 22 years. Year of the world 3,576. XXIV. Twenty-fourth reigned Thyosimares, 'the mighty, which is the sun,' 12 years. Year of the world 3,610. XXVI. Twenty-sixth reigned Semphroukrates, that is, Heracles Harpocrates, 18 years. Year of the world 3,618. XXVII. Twenty-seventh reigned Chouther Tauros, 'the tyrant,' 7 years. Year of the world 3,636. XXVIII. Twenty-eighth reigned Meures, 'lover of glory,' 12 years. Year of the world 3,655. XXX. Thirtieth reigned Soikounios, 'tyrant like Ochos,' 60 years. Year of the world 3,656. XXXI. Thirty-first of the Thebans reigned Peteathyres, 16 years. Year of the world 3,726.