Manetho
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Manetho ( ; Manéthōn, gen.: Μανέθωνος, fl. 290–260 BCE ) was an Egyptian priest of the Ptolemaic Kingdom who lived in the early third century BCE, at the very beginning of the Hellenistic period. Little is certain about his life. He is known today as the author of a history of Egypt in Greek called the Aegyptiaca (History of Egypt), written during the reign of Ptolemy I Soter or Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285–246 BCE). None of Manetho’s original texts have survived; they are lost literary works, known only from fragments transmitted by later authors of classical and late antiquity. The fragments of the Aegyptiaca continue to be a valuable resource for Egyptian chronology. Until the decipherment of Ancient Egyptian scripts in the early 19th century CE, Manetho's fragments were an essential source for understanding Egyptian history. His work remains important in Egyptology.
Manetho ( ; Manéthōn, gen.: Μανέθωνος, fl. 290–260 BCE ) was an Egyptian priest of the Ptolemaic Kingdom who lived in the early third century BCE, at the very beginning of the Hellenistic period. Little is certain about his life. He is known today as the author of a history of Egypt in Greek called the Aegyptiaca (History of Egypt), written during the reign of Ptolemy I Soter or Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285–246 BCE). None of Manetho’s original texts have survived; they are lost literary works, known only from fragments transmitted by later authors of classical and late antiquity. The fragments of the Aegyptiaca continue to be a valuable resource for Egyptian chronology. Until the decipherment of Ancient Egyptian scripts in the early 19th century CE, Manetho's fragments were an essential source for understanding Egyptian history. His work remains important in Egyptology.
Name
, a senior official in the temple cult of Serapis (a Hellenistic appropriation of Osiris and Apis) from Roman Egypt, 230–240 CE, over three centuries after Manetho lived. The circlet with the seven-rayed sun disk in the hair identifies his position. Manetho was an authority on the temple cult of Serapis. Marble. Altes Museum, Berlin. Scholars agree that "Manetho" is a Greek transcription of an Egyptian name; however, there is no consensus on the original. Some speculate that it is a theophoric name invoking either the god Thoth or the goddess Neith, e.g. "Truth of Thoth", "Beloved of Neith", or similar. Another proposal is "I have seen the great god". Others propose an occupational name based on Egyptian Myinyu-heter ("Shepherd" or "Groom"). In Latin sources he is called Manethon, Manethos, Manethonus, and Manetos. The earliest attestations of his name, all in Greek, come from three sources: an inscription found in Carthage; the Hibeh papyrus; and the writings of Josephus. The name that he called himself in Greek was likely Manethôn.
Manetho's legacy
Manetho's unique legacy rests on the singular importance of his Aegyptiaca.
See also
Aegyptiaca (Manetho) Berossus Cory’s Ancient Fragments Fragmente der griechischen Historiker Hecataeus of Abdera List of lists of ancient kings Menander of Ephesus
References
Explanatory notes
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External links
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