Peribsen

Peribsen ruled Egypt during the Second Dynasty, reigning for approximately fifteen years from around 2735 BC to 2720 BC, with dates uncertain by about fifty years. Unlike his immediate predecessors who ruled from Memphis and were buried at Saqqara, Peribsen based his court at Abydos in the southern heartland.

His reign is uniquely distinguished by a major religious and political departure: he chose to place the animal of Seth atop his serekh instead of the traditional Horus falcon. This decision has sparked debate among historians, who consider whether it represented regional religious rivalries, civil division, or a deliberate ideological reform. No royal mummy survives, and his family lineage remains unrecorded.

Archaeological evidence for Peribsen comes from seal impressions and official funerary remains. He broke with recent Second Dynasty custom by building Tomb P at Umm el-Qa'ab near Abydos, where finely carved granite stelae displaying the Seth animal above his name were found flanking his royal tomb.

Monuments

• Tomb P at Abydos
• Stelae of Peribsen

Explore further

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