How Do You Spell NEFERIRKARE?

Pronunciation: [nˈɛfəɹˌɜːke͡ə] (IPA)

The correct spelling of the ancient Egyptian pharaoh's name, Neferirkare, can deceive non-Egyptologists. The first syllable sounds like "nefer," which corresponds with the word in Egyptian hieroglyphics that means "beautiful." The next sound relates to the consonant "r," then the vowel "i," followed by the consonants "rk" and "r." The final syllable correlates to the word "re," the pharaoh's name. Therefore, the phonetic transcription of the word is /ˌnefərɪrˈkɑːrɛ/ reflecting the correct sequence of sounds.

Meaning and Definition
Etymology
Basic Check Advanced Check

NEFERIRKARE Meaning and Definition

  1. Neferirkare, also known as Neferirkare Kakai, was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh who reigned during the Fifth Dynasty in the Old Kingdom period. The name "Neferirkare" can be translated as "Beautiful is the Soul of Ra." Neferirkare's full royal name was "Useribra Setepenre" which translates to "Vigorous is the Soul of Ra, Chosen of Ra."

    Neferirkare ascended the throne after the short reign of his predecessor, Nyuserre Ini. Not much is known about his reign, as there are limited archaeological findings and historical records available. It is believed that he ruled for a relatively short period, possibly around 2 to 6 years.

    During his reign, Neferirkare maintained the established traditions of the Fifth Dynasty. Many officials and high-ranking individuals held influential positions in the government, and the religious cults continued to flourish. Neferirkare's pyramid complex, located in Abusir, contained significant architectural features such as an entrance hall with decorated pillars, a mortuary temple, and a Valley Temple.

    Though his reign was brief, Neferirkare's legacy has been preserved through the ancient artifacts and inscriptions discovered over time. These artifacts provide partial insights into the religious and administrative practices of the Old Kingdom. However, much about Neferirkare's personal life and political achievements remains a mystery, primarily due to the limited historical evidence available.

Etymology of NEFERIRKARE

The word "Neferirkare" is an ancient Egyptian name, specifically the throne name of Pharaoh Neferirkare Kakai, who ruled during the Fifth Dynasty of ancient Egypt (approximately 2494–2345 BCE).

The name "Neferirkare" consists of two parts: "nefer" and "irkare".

1. "Nefer" means "beautiful" or "good" in ancient Egyptian. It is a common element used in many names and titles throughout ancient Egyptian history. In this context, it likely refers to the pharaoh's desired qualities of beauty or goodness.

2." is an epithet added to the name of several Egyptian pharaohs, which translates to "injuring the Ka of Re". The "Ka" refers to the life force or vital essence, while "Re" is the name of the sun god in ancient Egyptian mythology.