The Kingship and the Moon from the Late 17th to Early 18th Dynasties

Abstract

Ancient Egyptian kingship was closely associated with the moon god at the end of the 17th Dynasty and at the beginning of the 18th Dynasty. Despite its apparent minor position within the pantheon, kings and their descendants were named after the moon god. There emerged two lunar dynastic lines, Ahmoside and Thutmoside, identified with the two foremost lunar gods, Iah and Thoth. Under the reigns of these kings, Egypt had a period of prosperity and the moon god became a feature of Theban kingship, playing a prominent role in the development of the monarchy.