Old Kingdom
Userkare
6th Dynasty · 2345-2181 BCE
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Userkare is a shadowy early Dynasty 6 ruler placed between Teti and Pepi I in several king lists. He has little secure contemporary documentation, and the length and nature of his reign are unknown. Later narratives have encouraged suggestions of a disputed succession, but this cannot be established with confidence. Because the evidence is so limited, it is safer to treat Userkare as a likely, briefly attested king than to give him a detailed programme or biography. His entry is important precisely because it highlights gaps between formal king lists and the archaeological record. Research: Old Kingdom king lists; Metropolitan Museum chronology.
Chronology: Shaw, Oxford History of Ancient Egypt (2000)
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The phantom king
Userkare is a highly enigmatic figure. His name appears on the Abydos King List, yet there are virtually no contemporary archaeological records to prove his existence. Because of this lack of evidence, many scholars suspect he was a usurper. If the rumors of Teti's assassination are true, Userkare may have been a conspirator who seized the throne for a year or less before Teti's true heir, Pepi I, could secure power.