The Turin King List, also known as the Turin Royal Canon
is an ancient hieratic papyrus believed to have been created during the rule of Ramesses II, the third monarch of ancient Egypt's 19th Dynasty.
The list, which resides in the Museo Egizio in Turin, is believed to be the most comprehensive catalogue of Egyptian rulers and is the foundation of most chronologies predating Ramesses II.
The Importance of the Turin King List in Egyptology
Despite enduring substantial damage, the Turin King List remains of critical importance among Egyptologists, as it closely aligns with Manetho’s historical assembly of ancient Egypt.
The list, however, offers more than just a dry chronicle of rulers.
According to the document, before the era of mortal Pharaohs, deities from the heavens ruled ancient Egypt for thousands of years.
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| The Turin King List. © Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons (CC-0) |
The Turin King List differs from other king lists, which were traditionally inscribed on temple walls and served more of a religious function than a historical one. The Turin Canon, on the other hand, was written on papyrus using the hieratic script, and is much more complete and historically accurate. It includes transient monarchs and their reign durations, which were typically omitted from other lists.
Challenges in Discovering and Reassembling the Turin Papyrus
The process of discovering and assembling the Turin King List was complex and painstaking. Originally procured by Italian diplomat and explorer Bernardino Drovetti in 1822, the papyrus was substantially intact upon acquisition, only to subsequently crumble into fragments during transport to Italy. It was then reconstructed with great difficulty. French Egyptologist Jean-Francois Champollion played a key role in piecing together about 48 fragments. Later, more fragments were joined by German and American archaeologist Gustavus Seyffarth. The task of unearthing and fitting together the fragments remains ongoing.
Divine Rule and Celestial Entities in Ancient Egypt: Pre-Menes Eras
Among the more controversial claims within the Turin King List is the rule of Gods, Demigods, and Spirits of the Dead for thousands of years. As per Manetho, the first human king of Egypt, Mena or Menes, assumed power around 4,400 BC. Prior to that, Egypt was ruled by divine entities. Despite skepticism within the scientific community, this record of extensive divine rule is echoed in other credible historical sources, including various Egyptian King Lists.
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| The Turin Canon Papyrus © Image Credit: Alfredoeye |
The Influence of Manetho’s Writings and the Armenian Texts
When considering the words of Manetho, the chief priest of the Egyptian temples, we must examine the texts where his work's fragments are preserved. A crucial text is the Armenian version of the Chronica of Eusebius, which states that it is derived from Manetho's Egyptian History, written in three books. These texts cover the Gods, Demigods, Spirits of the Dead, and mortal kings who ruled Egypt.
The Eras of Gods and Kings According to Manetho’s Timeline
Eusebius quotes Manetho, listing the gods of the Ennead of Heliopolis, such as Ra, Osiris, Isis, Horus, Set, and others. They were the first to govern Egypt, followed by an unbroken succession of rulers spanning 13,900 years. After the Gods, Demigods reigned for 1,255 years, followed by another line of kings for 1,817 years, then 30 more kings for 1,790 years, and ten more kings for 350 years. Lastly, the Spirits of the Dead ruled for 5,813 years, totaling 24,925 years. Manetho is often credited with the enormous figure of 36,525 years for the entire period of Egyptian civilization, from the times of the Gods to the end of the 30th dynasty of mortal kings.
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| Great_Ennead |
Many classical writers support Manetho's description, including Greek historian Diodorus Siculus, who visited Egypt in the first century BC. Diodorus relied on Egyptian priests as his sources and was informed that gods and heroes ruled Egypt for just under 18,000 years, with mortal kings ruling for nearly 5,000 years.
Classical Writers’ Support for Manetho’s Accounts of Egyptian Civilization
Herodotus, another famous Greek historian, also visited Egypt and spoke with priests. He references these traditions of a vast prehistoric period of Egyptian civilization in Book II of his History, noting that during this time, there were four instances of the sun rising and setting in different locations.
Intermediate Entities Between Gods and Humans: The Neteru and Urshu in Egyptian Belief
The priests mentioned the Urshu, intermediate beings between gods and men known as Watchers, and the Neteru, powerful divine beings who lived on earth with humans and ruled from Heliopolis and sanctuaries along the Nile. Some Neteru were male, others female, and they all had various supernatural powers. They could appear as men, women, or even animals, birds, reptiles, trees, or plants. Despite their extraordinary abilities, the Neteru were portrayed with human emotions and concerns, as well as being susceptible to sickness, death, or murder. Under certain circumstances.
In summary, the writings of Manetho and the interpretations by classical historians reveal a complex timeline that blends divine and mortal rulers over thousands of years in Egyptian history. These texts not only outline a vast succession of gods, demigods, and kings but also illustrate the unique Egyptian worldview, where divine entities like the Neteru coexisted with humans. Together, these accounts provide a fascinating glimpse into Egypt’s conception of time, power, and the enduring influence of its rulers across both mythological and historical ages.
For those who prefer visual content, you can watch the video below that covers the same topic in detail.
The gods descended from heaven and ruled Egypt for 36 thousand years │Egyptian gods