The Dawn of the Age of the Pyramids Part II

A simple jewellry box found in the tomb of Queen Hetepheres I

     It bears worth repeating that the idea of the pyramid was not a new-fangled conceived idea of the III dynasty architect Imhotep and his pharaoh, Djoser. It was an idea first conceived in their own creation myths. This idea of a pyramid is found in the Hermopolian and Hierkonopolian creation myths where out of the primordial waters called the Nun, came a mound called a ben ben. It is this ben ben where the Egyptians first thought of a pyramid like structure so Imhotep made this idea a reality with the construction of the Stepped Pyramid. Now, fast forward to the IV dynasty, we arrive at the rule and reign of Sneferu about whom we spoke in the last entry. This entry or part of the series entitled, "Dawn of the Age of the Pyramids"will continue the saga that is the IV dynasty and Sneferu's wife Hetepheres.

This the bed of Queen Hetepheres I

     In our last entry, we discussed the beginnings of the IV dynasty and the basis on which Sneferu was able to build his pyramids. Sneferu, the Bringer of Beauties, was unfortunately not a king by birthright but rather through a marriage to Hetepheres I. According to Toby Wilkinson, Hetepheres I was the daughter of Huni, wife of Sneferu and mother to Khnum-Kufu who, in the last entry, was the
owner of the Great Pyramid on Giza. She was king's daughter, king's wife and king's mother which made her powerful beyond belief at the beginning of the IV dynasty. What we lack in information concerning her life, is made up what was found in her tomb. Hetepheres I, certainly, lived a luxurious, lavish, and ostentatious lifestyle that would envy anyone of the day. Her power even influenced her son, Khufu for Wilkinson comments that, "Khufu took orders from only one person and that was his mother."

   

Two rings worn by the infamous Queen Hetepheres I

What is most intriguing about Hetepheres I is the amount of jewellry she wore. A figure of the queen on her carrying chair, if you will, shows her wearing 14 bracelets at once on her right arm. Wilkinson continues to say that there seems to even be evidence of "palace-hopping." Items like a separate canopy, two low chairs and a bed do seem to indicate that the family moved from one palace to another. This also reinforces the wealth and power (the monarchy imported silver because it was thought to be more valuable than gold) the IV dynasty truly possessed as well. W. Stevenson Smith and William Kelly Simpson of Yale University, state that the growing strength of the monarchy during dynasties I-III reached its peak in dynasty IV which is why the kings of the IV dynasty were able to build such opulent, massive pyramids whilst at the same time nearly depleting Egypt's resources. As a result of this, there are no more pyramids built on such a grand scale throughout Ancient Egypt's vast and enormous history. This also led the kings of the V dynasty to build smaller pyramids, mastabas and shift their attention to Sun Temples.

     In conclusion, Hetepheres I promoted the general Sneferu to kingship with their marriage thus establishing a new dynasty, the IV dynasty. She was the daughter of a king, wife of a king and mother of a king which truly made her one of Egypt's first and most powerful women in such an influential position. She also led a life opulence and ostentation that would definitely envy anyone who lived in Egypt. Her tomb reflects the power and wealth that the IV dynasty possessed and enjoyed when the Old Kingdom reached its peak of power and prestige allowing these kings to construct such majestic marvels that not only dominate the skyline of Egypt but command the desert as well.

The Dawn of the Age of the Pyramids Part I

Sneferu's Red Pyramid courtesy of ancientegyptonline.co.uk

     This will be the first in a three part series as the author attempts to construct a solid story or report revolving around Sneferu and his three pyramids. It is also an effort to explain to the reader why the first two pyramids failed but the third succeeded. The IV dynasty of the Old Kingdom is one of the most famous of Egyptian history and why shouldn't it be. Marvelous pyramids coupled with powerful kings and the introduction of women in political positions gave them the opportunity to influence Egypt on a grand scale. This blog will follow the life of a king called Sneferu who was the father of the ever more famous pharaoh Khufu or Khnum-Khufu which translates into Khnum (Potter God of Egypt) protects him. The following paragraphs are an attempt to unravel the life of this once immensely powerful and influential pharaoh that sparked an era known as the Age of the Pyramids.

Sneferu, first pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty
courtesy of historyarchaelogy

      Sneferu, whose name means Bringer of Beauties, was the first pharaoh of the IV dynasty however he did not receive the title of kingship by birthright. Sneferu was actually a general before he became pharaoh but what allowed him to inherit the throne? Well, it was not a king or a brother but a woman who had more royal blood than Sneferu. Her name was Hetepheres and she would give birth to the author of the Great Pyramid, Khufu. Now, Hetepheres deserves an entire blog dedicated to herself so suffice it to say, in this blog, she is the wife of Sneferu and the mother of Khufu. Sneferu would go on however to build not one, not two but three pyramids that dominate the skyline of Egypt today; the Bent Pyramid, Meidum Pyramid and finally the Red Pyramid pictured above. Sneferu already had a model on which to base his pyramid, the Stepped Pyramid of Djoser.
     
   
 It must be noted however that again there is some debate surrounding the pyramid of Meidum. Some Egyptologists think that it actually belongs to the pharoah Huni who was the final king of the III dynasty. Again this aspect will be for a later blog as well.

The throne of Hetepheres coutesy of  touregypt.com

       Continuing with the narration of Sneferu's life though, it bears worth repeating that he was not a king by birth. That was left up to his wife, Hetepheres, however upon taking the throne (hence the dynasty change) he did set out on changing Egypt politically and economically. Sneferu, like other pharaohs of this era, raided and pillaged foreign territory, particularly in Nubia towards the south and Libya towards the west however nothing notable except of course the three pyramids. He would go on to reign another 24 years and then his son Khufu would succeed to the throne.

       In conclusion, although it does seem that nothing of note during the reign of Sneferu happened, it must be made known that although he was a military commander he also inherited the throne through the wise and orchestrated marriage to Hetepheres. He conducted raids to the South and West against both Nubia and Libya that resulted in the swelling of the coffers of Egypt. Finally, he would go on to construct three large edifices that are very noticeable in the Egyptian desert which will be discussed later en détail.