The Egyptian Pyramids Builders in the Old Kingdom

The Egyptian Pyramids Builders | The Old Kingdom 2686-2181 BC

Dynasty    : 3
Period      : 2686-2616 BC
Pharaohs : Sanakhte -2686-2668
                    Djoser ( Netjerikhet ) -  2668-2649

Egyptian Pyramids Builders

During the old Kingdom Egyptian civilization really came of age. The power of Egypt expanded considerably through the four dynasties it comprised, probably due in large part to the increasing centralization of government and the creation of an efficient administrative system. The concept of kingship changed too, with greater emphasis being placed on the divine nature of the office; the king was considered to be the incarnation of Horus and, from the 5th Dynasty, son of the sun god Re. At the same time, the advances begun in previous centuries - in building, technology, hieroglyphic writing and artistic representation - reached new heights in the Old Kingdom, nowhere more clearly than in the spectacular programme of pyramid construction, which reached its apogee in the 4th Dynasty. Djoser's Step Pyramid at Saqqara, the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) at Giza and the famous Sphinx, thought to represent the 4th Dynasty king, Khafre (Chephren), are among some of the most remarkable structures in the world.

This prosperity could not be sustained, however, and the 6th Dynasty saw the decentralization of power and an increase in the might of local officials. The Old Kingdom ended, around 2181 BC, in political fragmentation and anarchy.

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