ABSTRACT
Manetho describes the Third Dynasty as consisting of nine Memphite kings. In medicine Imhotep must have been preceded by others such as Athothis of the First Dynasty. Between the names of the Third Dynasty kings in Manetho and on the monuments, the most unmistakable equation is that of Tosorthros with Neterirykhet/Djoser—the most famous king of this dynasty. Manetho says that the Fourth Dynasty consisted of eight Memphite kings, “belonging to a different line.” The founder of the Fourth Dynasty, Nebmaat Snefru, was born in Upper Egyptian Nome XVI, which, therefore, was also known as Menat-Snefru. In general, as far as the monuments are concerned, the kings of the Fifth Dynasty build much smaller pyramids than their predecessors in the Fourth Dynasty, and most of these are found in the vicinity of Abusir, between Saqqara and Giza. For the Sixth Dynasty, Manetho gives six names and says that the rulers were Memphites.
