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.

References

Smith, Stevenson Smith (revised by William Kelly Simpson). 1998. The Art and Architecture of Ancient Egypt

Wilkinson, Toby. 2010. The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt