Earliest Historical Figure?
Here is a bit of a contest (but without fabulous prizes or money being awarded) for those inclined to participate:
Who is the first documented historical figure?
Without giving it much of a try I'm going with Menes, founder of the 1st Dynasty in Egypt, 3000 B.C.
As a rule I'm going to make any sources that are the inerrant word of God ineligible for submission. Sorry Adam.
I'd would have voted for a Sumerian. I think there were some kings older than Gilgamesh in the Sumerian 'list of kings' - now I'm off to consult the great oracle...
Posted by: Nate | January 25, 2006 at 05:09 PM
I got interested in this when I tried to find the answer and after an admittedly small effort it didn't pop up. All of my searches for things like, "Earliest Historical Figure" or "Earliest known person" were not getting the job done. Weird, I'd figure this would be a pretty popular thing... I mean it's the first known person after all.
Posted by: Non-Prophet | January 25, 2006 at 06:11 PM
The real crux of this thing seems to lie in the word "documented". My vote is for Narmer, also of Egypt, circa 32nd c. BC, if we're going for general archaelogical evidence; if we're talking more definitive proof of existence, I'm saying Enmebaragesi of Sumeria.
"The very first ruler of whom we have positive evidence is Enmebaragesi, king of Kish (circa 2700 b.c.)."
You're right, there's not a lot of information that's readily accessible on the subject, and it is a very interesting question. I'm curious about some of the early Chinese writings and figures, as well.
Posted by: Sansabelt Savior | January 25, 2006 at 08:03 PM
I think given the recent news, mentioned in the Economist about a Chinese globe (OK I just heard this second hand on the phone today - but from a reliable source) that pre-dates any previously known map...that you need to seek nominations from the Far East. Sorry, I don't have anyone coming to mind at the moment.
Posted by: Mica | January 26, 2006 at 08:37 PM
haha
I've ben trying to do the same thing. With similar results. I also came up with menes.
Posted by: Matt | September 27, 2006 at 04:51 PM
I once saw in the Guinness Book of World Records that the Egyptian king Sekhen (Scorpion) was the earliest historical figure. I see now on Wikipedia that he, under the name of Serket, is generally identified with Narmer.
Posted by: Martin | October 27, 2006 at 06:56 PM