Menes was the king from Upper Egypt who was the traditional founder of the united Egypt. He overthrew the government of the northern delta in about 3.100 BC and started the first dynasty. He came from Thinis (Egyptian: This) just north of Abydos. This story was told by Greek historian Manetho living in Egypt 200 BC. The true name of Menes is still concealed because the written remains give names of other kind. The illustration left (colours not genuine) gives his name from the Abydos king list from the 19th dynasty, 1800 years after his supposed reign. Some scholars consider him identical with Narmer interpreting the famous Narmer palette. Others promote Aha who has a single "Men" written beside his name on one occasion, and was the first king with substantial monuments from all over Egypt.           (Menes main text)