Second Dynasty of Egypt


The Second Dynasty of ancient Egypt is the latter of the two dynasties of the Egyptian Archaic Period, when the seat of government was centred at Thinis. It is most known for its last ruler, Khasekhemwy, but is otherwise one of the most obscure periods in Egyptian history.
Though archaeological evidence of the time is very scant, contrasting data from the First and Third Dynasties indicates important institutional and economic developments during the Second Dynasty.

Rulers

For the first four pharaohs, sources are fairly close in agreement:
NameYears Reigned
Hotepsekhemwy25-29
Nebra 10–14
Nynetjer40
Senedj 20

But the identity of the next two or three rulers is unclear. Surviving sources might be giving the Horus name or the Nebty name and the birth names of these rulers. They may also be entirely different individuals, or could be legendary names. This might never be resolved.
Manetho's list of rulers is at odds with those usually given by Egyptologists:
Modern consensusManetho's List
Seth-PeribsenKaires
Nepherkheres
Sekhemib-PerenmaatSesokhris

With the last ruler, the sources return to an agreement:
NameYears Reigned
Khasekhemwy17-18

Manetho states Thinis was the capital, as in the First Dynasty. But the first three kings were buried at Saqqara, suggesting the center of power had moved to Memphis. Beyond this, little can be said about the events during this period as the annual records on the Palermo stone only survive to the end of the reign of Nebra and for parts of Nynetjer's. One important event possibly happened during the reign of Khasekhemwy. Many Egyptologists read his name, Khasekhemwy, as "the Two Powers arise". This might commemorate the union of Upper and Lower Egypt.