Nebra

Nebra governed Egypt as the second ruler of the Second Dynasty, reigning for approximately fifteen years between around 2815 BC and 2800 BC, with chronological uncertainty of about fifty years. He succeeded Hotepsekhemwy and continued to rule the country from the capital city of Memphis.

His brief reign was situated in a stable phase of the Early Dynastic Period, sandwiched between Hotepsekhemwy and Ninetjer. He is historically noteworthy for being among the earliest kings to integrate the name of the solar deity Ra into his own royal title, reflecting the growing theological importance of solar worship. No royal mummy is known, and specific details about his family remain unrecorded.

Knowledge of Nebra relies largely on surviving seal impressions, later royal king lists, and stone vessel fragments. His disputed burial place is frequently identified with Gallery Tomb B at Saqqara, situated close to the subterranean complex of his predecessor.

Monuments

• Stela of Raneb (Metropolitan Museum of Art)

Explore further

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