Dodecarchy. Dodecarchy. _Psammetichus_ of Sais, sole _Psammetichus_ of Sais, sole ruler. ruler. This comparative table demonstrates evidently, not only that Herodotus's line is often interrupted, but likewise that it is impossible to establish any continuous chronology, since Diodorus, more than once leaves the number of generations undetermined. Great importance, nevertheless, attaches to the date fixed by Herodotus, ii, 13, where he declares that king Moeris flourished 900 years before his own visit to Egypt: consequently between B.C. 1500 and 1450. And if, as seems highly probable, the age of Sesostris was the 15th century B.C. (see ZOEGA, _de Obeliscis_), it cannot be denied but that we have some general epochs; and with these we must remain content until more satisfactory information can be discovered on the monuments. It should likewise be observed, that the discrepancy between the names of the kings mentioned by Herodotus and Diodorus, and those furnished by Manetho, may be accounted for by the fact, that the sovereigns were distinguished by different names on the monuments and in common life. Of the dynasties of Manetho, the 18th, 19th, 20th, and 22nd, belong to this period; more especially the two first, which contain the most important of the Pharaohs. 1. The following period, nearly to its termination, was the brilliant age of Egypt, during which it formed but one empire; the kings being represented as sovereign lords of the whole country. And, indeed, it was natural that the expulsion of the invaders should be followed by a period in which the military force and ardour of the nation would be developed, and directed to external conquest. The capital of the empire was, no doubt, Thebes, the great monuments of which were erected in this period; that honour, however, seems to have alternately belonged to Memphis, Herodotus's line of kings being deduced from the monuments of that city, and more especially from the temple of Phtha. The more powerful of the Pharaohs of this period, and the founders of the most important monuments of Upper Egypt, on which their names are found, are the following: belonging to the 18th dynasty, somewhere about 1600-1500. _Amenophis I._ His name is likewise found beyond Egypt on the temple of Amada, in Nubia. _Thutmosis I._ Commencement of the expulsion of the Hyksos. _Amenophis II._ The Memnon of the Greeks. Complete expulsion of the Hyksos, and commencement of several of the great edifices. His name is also found on the monuments of Thebes, Elephantine, and even in Nubia, on the distant temple of Soleb. Builder of the palace of Luxor. _Thutmosis II._ His name found in Carnac, and on the obelisk at the Lateran. _Ramesses I._ Supposed to be the Danaus of the Greeks. Expelled by his brother: