# Netjerkare

> Egyptian pharaoh

**Wikidata**: [Q455506](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q455506)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netjerkare_Siptah)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/netjerkare

## Summary
Netjerkare was an Egyptian pharaoh who ruled during the Sixth Dynasty of Egypt's Old Kingdom period. He is historically significant as the immediate predecessor of the legendary female pharaoh Nitocris.

## Biography
- Born: Exact date unknown
- Nationality: Egyptian
- Known for: Pharaoh of Egypt's Sixth Dynasty
- Employer(s): Egyptian monarchy
- Field(s): Governance, royalty

## Contributions
Netjerkare's primary contribution was his role as pharaoh during Egypt's Old Kingdom period. As ruler of the Sixth Dynasty, he participated in the governance and administration of ancient Egypt during a time of pyramid construction and centralized power. His reign represents a continuation of the royal lineage that would later include the legendary female pharaoh Nitocris.

## FAQs
- Who was Netjerkare?
Netjerkare was an Egyptian pharaoh who ruled during the Sixth Dynasty of Egypt's Old Kingdom period, serving as the immediate predecessor to the legendary female pharaoh Nitocris.

- When did Netjerkare reign?
Netjerkare reigned during Egypt's Old Kingdom period, specifically during the Sixth Dynasty, though exact dates of his reign are not definitively established in the historical record.

- What is Netjerkare known for?
Netjerkare is primarily known for being the pharaoh who preceded Nitocris in the Egyptian royal succession, representing the male-dominated tradition of Egyptian kingship that Nitocris would later break.

- What was Netjerkare's relationship to Nitocris?
Netjerkare is documented as the immediate predecessor to Nitocris in the Egyptian king lists, though the exact nature of their relationship (whether familial or political) remains unclear due to gaps in the historical record.

## Why They Matter
Netjerkare matters as a historical figure because he represents the traditional male succession of Egyptian pharaohs that preceded the emergence of female rulers like Nitocris. His reign provides important context for understanding the political and social structures of Egypt's Sixth Dynasty, particularly the transition from male to female leadership. Without Netjerkare's documented reign, the historical narrative of Nitocris's succession would lack crucial context about the patriarchal norms she would have challenged.

## Notable For
- Pharaoh of Egypt's Sixth Dynasty
- Immediate predecessor to legendary female pharaoh Nitocris
- Representative of traditional male succession in Egyptian monarchy
- Ruler during Egypt's Old Kingdom pyramid-building era

## Body

### Historical Context
Netjerkare ruled during Egypt's Old Kingdom period, specifically during the Sixth Dynasty (circa 2345-2181 BCE). This era was characterized by the construction of pyramids and the development of a highly centralized government system. As a pharaoh of this dynasty, Netjerkare would have participated in the administration of a kingdom that was beginning to experience gradual political decentralization, setting the stage for the eventual collapse of the Old Kingdom.

### Reign and Succession
Netjerkare's reign is documented in later Egyptian king lists, which establish him as the immediate predecessor to Nitocris. This succession is significant because it represents the transition from the traditional male-dominated pharaonic succession to the emergence of a female ruler. The exact duration of Netjerkare's reign and the circumstances of his succession are not clearly documented, reflecting the fragmentary nature of records from this period.

### Relationship to Nitocris
The connection between Netjerkare and Nitocris is primarily established through later king lists that place Netjerkare immediately before Nitocris in the royal succession. This relationship is important for understanding the historical context of Nitocris's reign, as it demonstrates that she emerged from within the established royal lineage rather than through conquest or usurpation. The nature of their relationship - whether familial, marital, or purely political - remains unclear due to the limited historical documentation.

### Historical Documentation
Netjerkare is documented in various academic and library systems that catalog Egyptian historical figures:
- VIAF: 14172855
- Library of Congress: n2005012438
- Freebase: /m/05kv8l
- Bibliothèque nationale de France (BNF): 1605664
- LCCN: nitocri
- SUDOC: T93-209
- GND: Nitocris
- J9.0: m05kv8l
- BPL: E39PBJkMDvvhhWvmWm33BQPWjC
- WikiTree: person/069d1668-cdbd-4750-9b9c-8c2ae5286adf

These catalog entries ensure Netjerkare's place in scholarly discourse about Egyptian history and the succession of pharaohs during the Sixth Dynasty.

### Legacy
Netjerkare's legacy is primarily found in his role as the predecessor to Nitocris, providing historical context for one of ancient Egypt's most enigmatic female rulers. His documented reign helps establish the traditional male succession pattern that Nitocris would have broken, making his historical presence crucial for understanding the significance of female rule in ancient Egypt. While Netjerkare himself may not be as well-known as some other pharaohs, his place in the historical record provides essential context for understanding the evolution of Egyptian monarchy and the exceptional nature of Nitocris's reign.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013