Wadjkare

Wadjkare (also known as Wadjakare) was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the Eighth Dynasty, during the First Intermediate Period (c. 2181-2055 BC). His existence is primarily attested through the Turin Canon, a fragmented king list from the Ramesside period. He is listed there in column 5, entry 10.

Beyond the Turin Canon, direct contemporary evidence for Wadjkare's reign is scarce, and little is definitively known about his life or the extent of his power. As pharaoh of the Eighth Dynasty, Wadjkare likely ruled from Memphis over a severely weakened and fragmented Egypt. The centralized power of the Old Kingdom had collapsed, leading to political instability and economic hardship. Control was often limited to the Memphite region and possibly parts of Upper Egypt, with local governors gaining increasing autonomy.

Due to the limited information available, the precise dating and length of Wadjkare's reign remain uncertain, and he is considered one of the more obscure rulers of this turbulent period.