Egyptian pyramids
Historical development
- By the time of the early dynastic period of Egyptian history, those with sufficient means were buried in bench-like structures known as mastabas.[10][11]
- The second historically documented Egyptian pyramid is attributed to the architectImhotep, who planned what Egyptologists believe to be a tomb for the pharaoh Djoser. Imhotep is credited with being the first to conceive the notion of stacking mastabas on top of each other – creating an edifice composed of a number of "steps" that decreased in size towards its apex. The result was the Step Pyramid of Djoser – which was designed to serve as a gigantic stairway by which the soul of the deceased pharaoh could ascend to the heavens. Such was the importance of Imhotep's achievement that he was deified by later Egyptians.[12]
- The most prolific pyramid-building phase coincided with the greatest degree of absolutistpharaonic rule. It was during this time that the most famous pyramids, those near Giza, were built. Over time, as authority became less centralized, the ability and willingness to harness the resources required for construction on a massive scale decreased, and later pyramids were smaller, less well-built and often hastily constructed.
- Long after the end of Egypt's own pyramid-building period, a burst of pyramid-building occurred in what is present-day Sudan, after much of Egypt came under the rule of the Kings of Napata. While Napatan rule was brief and ceased in 661 BC, the Egyptian influence made an indelible impression, and during the later Sudanese Kingdom of Meroe (approximately in the period between 300 BC–300 AD) this flowered into a full-blown pyramid-building revival, which saw more than two hundred indigenous, but Egyptian-inspired royal pyramid-tombs constructed in the vicinity of the kingdom's capital cities.
- Al-Aziz Uthman, son of the great Saladin who crushed the Crusaders, tried to demolish the Great pyramids of Giza, but had to give up because the task was too big. However, he did succeed in damaging Menkaure's pyramid.
Construction dates
- The following table lays out the chronology of the construction of most of the major pyramids mentioned here. Each pyramid is identified through the pharaoh who ordered it built, their approximate reign and its location.
Pyramid / Pharaoh Reign Field Djoser c. 2630–2612 BC Saqqara Sneferu c. 2612–2589 BC Dashur Sneferu c. 2612–2589 BC Dashur Sneferu c. 2612–2589 BC Meidum Khufu c. 2589–2566 BC Giza Djedefre c. 2566–2558 BC Abu Rawash Khafre c. 2558–2532 BC Giza Menkaure c. 2532–2504 BC Giza Userkaf c. 2494-2487 BC Saqqara Sahure c. 2487–2477 BC Abu Sir Neferirkare Kakai c. 2477–2467 BC Abu Sir Nyuserre Ini c. 2416–2392 BC Abu Sir Amenemhat I c. 1991–1962 BC Lisht Senusret I c. 1971–1926 BC Lisht Senusret II c. 1897–1878 BC el-Lahun Amenemhat III c. 1860–1814 BC Hawara Piye c. 721 BC El-Kurru Taharqa c. 664 BC Nuri
