Nebiryraw I
| Sewadjenre Nebiriau | |
|---|---|
| Pharaoh | |
| Reign | 1627–1601 BC |
| Predecessor | Mentuhotep VI |
| Successor | Nebiriau II |
| Children | Nebiriau II? |
| Died | 1601 BC |
| Dynasty | 16th Dynasty |
Nebiriau or Nebiryerawet I was a pharaoh of Egypt of the 16th or 17th Theban dynasty based in Upper Egypt during the Second intermediate period. Nebiriau I reigned for 26 years according to the Turin Canon and was succeeded by Nebiriau II who may have been his son.[1] All the published seals of Nebiriau I were made of clay or frit rather than steatite which implies there were no mining expeditions dispatched to the Eastern Desert region of Egypt during his reign.[2] Two seals of this king were found at Lisht deep in Hyksos territory which might imply diplomatic contact between the Theban dynasty and the Hyksos during Nebiriau I's reign although this is uncertain.[3] A small stela showing the king in front of Maat is known in the Egyptian collection of Bonn.[4] His prenomen "Sewadjenre" means "The One whom Re causse to flourish."[5]
The Cairo Juridical Stela dates to Year 1 of his reign where the father of Sobeknakht II--a certain Sobeknakht himself--purchased the office of Governorate of Elkab from Kebsi. Kebsi, in turn, was the son of Governor (later Vizier) Aymeru and Grandson of Aya who was appointed Vizier in Year 1 of Merhotepre Ini of the 13th Dynasty. This suggests that the owner of the richly decorated tomb T10 at El-Kab was Sobeknakht II. Accordingly, if Sobeknakht I first purchased his office in Year 1 of Nebiriau I--who is given a reign of 26 Yrs by the Turin Canon--his son wld have served during the final years of Nebiriau I, Nebiriau II and probably Seuserenre Bebiankh (given 12 yrs by the Turin Canon).