Nitocris (or Nitokris) is the supposed Greek name of Menka Re , the first Pharaon which did not leave traces in the History of the ancient Egypt. It belongs to and lived in the neighborhoods of -2180 Certains Egyptologists see in it Neith, one of the women of Pépi {{II}}. It would have succeeded her assassinated husband, Merenrê-Nemtyemsaf (Mérenrê {{II}}), and would have reigned during six to twelve years.

Many legends run on this mysterious woman, in particular because its reign marks the end (arbitrary) of the Ancient Empire. In fact, it is not very probable that Nitocris is directly implied in the fall of the Ancient Empire and it is rather necessary to seek the reasons of this forfeiture in the long reign of Pépi which exhausted the country and caused serious damage.

Among the legends, one can quote:

• the fact that it would have involved in its death the murderers of her husband; drowning these murderers after a splendid banquet to which they were invited, it would have then committed suicide.
• the fact that it would have been creative smaller pyramid, allotted to Mykérinos. However, it is not impossible that she asked so that she was restored.

Manéthon speaks about it in particularly eulogistic terms: There was a Nitocris woman who reigned; it was more courageous than all the men of its time, and it was most beautiful of all the women; it had the physique of a blonde to the pink cheeks.

According to the royal list of Abydos, it is Netjerkarê which would have succeeded to him.

Titulature

Reign

See too

See also: Family tree of the Life Egyptian dynasty