On his ascent to the thrown, Narmer ruled the largest area ever ruled by a single person. His name is even found on inscriptions in southern Palestine. To the later Greeks he was known as Menes. Later Egyptian kings considered him the founder of their dynasties.
Originally from the southern town of Naqada, he conquered the northern delta region of Egypt and founded a new city there called Memphis (near the modern Cairo). His wife was Neithhotep, a northern princess.
Depictions of Narmer show him wearing the white crown of Upper Egypt and the red crown of Lower Egypt. He is often designated as "the King of Both Lands and Bearer of Both Crowns". Under his rule many principles of central government were established.
In Egypt's complex royal history he is designated the first king of the First Dynasty (3050 BCE to 2890 BCE). His rule marked the beginning of written history for Egypt and the era of dynasties, which eventually numbered over 30. The dynasties lasted for nearly 3000 years and ended with the suicide of Cleopatra VII (known simply as Cleopatra) followed by the Roman army under Octavian (known as Augustus Caesar) taking Egypt in 30 BCE.
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Narmer
A brief description and history of Egypt's first king.
