Merneferre Ay

Merneferre Ay was a ruler of the Thirteenth Dynasty during the Second Intermediate Period. He reigned from roughly 1701 BC to 1677 BC, with dates subject to an uncertainty of around twenty-five years. Ruling for over twenty-three years, his tenure was by far the longest recorded for any monarch of his dynasty.

Governing from the northern capital at Itjtawy, Merneferre Ay witnessed the gradual decline of centralised power. Although the country was heading toward political division and the rise of local dynasties in the Delta, the king still held authority across both Upper and Lower Egypt for much of his reign.

Scholars know of Merneferre Ay principally through the Turin King List and numerous scarab seals found throughout Egypt. In addition, an inscribed pyramidion discovered near Faqus in the eastern Delta demonstrates royal funerary building, though his actual tomb remains undiscovered.

Monuments

• Pyramidion found at Faqus (Avaris region)
• Numerous scarab seals

Explore further

Try the name on the Cartouche Desk, or see where the reign falls on the timeline.