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Learn about the Egyptian Dynasties with our fast fact sheets. |
History of the 5th Dynasty and its Pharaohs including King Sahure and King Unas Fifth Dynasty Dates: 2467–2323 B.C.E. Ancient Egyptian History - 5th Dynasty Fact Sheet Fact 1 on 5th Dynasty: The 4th royal house of Egypt included Khufu aka Cheops who built the Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Fact 2 on 5th Dynasty: The pharaohs of the 4th royal house were autocratic rulers only delegating power and responsibilities to members of the royal family but this all changed when the 5th royal line of the sun kings came to power. Fact 3 on 5th Dynasty: An old prophecy had told how children of a priest of the sun-god Ra would overthrow the 4th royal house of Egypt. This legend might have emerged as it is unclear how the first King of the 5th dynasty, Userkhaf, came to power. But the period is referred to as the era of the Solar Cults or the Sun Kings. Fact 4 on 5th Dynasty: The end of the previous royal line had seen the growing influence of the priests of the sun-god Ra. Fact 5 on 5th Dynasty: Userkhaf took the throne and built a sun temple at Abusir, a few miles north of Saqqara. The capital was based at Memphis in Lower Egypt although the Elephantine in Upper Egypt also rose in prominence. Fact 6 on 5th Dynasty: Userkhaf also built his pyramid tomb at Abusir. A total of 14 pyramids on the Abusir pyramid complex, which served as the main royal necropolis during this period. The Abusir pyramids were Step Pyramids and much smaller that the great pyramids that had been built at Giza. The "Sun Kings" also built solar pyramid complexes at Abydos. Fact 7 on 5th Dynasty: A significant change occured in Egyptian religion during this period when the sun-god Ra became the closest equivalent to an Egyptian "state" god. As the influence of Ra increased so did the influence, power and wealth of the sun-god's priests Fact 8 on 5th Dynasty: The sun temple of Heliopolis, the "City of the Sun", was the most important cult centre of Egypt. It was one of five great temples built at Heliopolis that were famous for their size and beauty. Over 10,000 priests and slaves served in the massive sun temple of Heliopolis. Continued... Ancient Egyptian History - 5th Dynasty Fact Sheet Definition of the 5th Dynasty Fifth Dynasty Dates: 2467–2323 B.C.E. Ancient Egyptian Dynasties Ancient Egytian Dynasties Early Dynastic Period: 1st - 2nd Dynasties The Old Kingdome 3rd - 6th Dynasties 1st Intermediate Period 7th - 10th Dynasties The Middle Kingdom 11th - 12th Dynasties 2nd Intermediate Period 13th - 20th Dynasties The New Kingdom 18th - 20th Dynasties Post Empire 21st - 31st Dynasties History of the 5th Dynasty Pharaohs Ancient Egyptian History - 5th Dynasty Fact Sheet Fact 9 on 5th Dynasty: Another extremely important change during the era was that, rather than members of the royal family being granted exclusive rights to the exalted positions in the government of Egypt, these roles became open to commoners. This reduced the autocratic power of the pharaohs and the influence of the nobles and the royal family. Fact 10 on 5th Dynasty: Sahure, the second king, successfully extended trading opportunities by investing in building new boats for the navy and sending trading missions to Canaan and the Land of Punt. Fact 11 on 5th Dynasty: Sahure was also a military leader and launched campaigns against the Libyans in the Western Desert. He is famous for the Sahure Pyramid complex at Abusir. Fact 12 on 5th Dynasty: King Niuserre, another military leader, led campaigns in the west in the Sinai and in the Western Desert. Fact 13 on 5th Dynasty: Another religious change took place in the reign of Djedkare Isesi. Djedkare did not build his own sun temple. The popularity of Ra was now rivalled by the cult of Osiris, the ancient Egyptian god of the Underworld.. Fact 14 on 5th Dynasty: The last king in this family of monarchs was Unaswho continued to expand trade in lands beyond Nubia. His popularity and credibility as the ruler of Egypt dramatically declined when a terrible famine hit Egypt. Fact 15 on 5th Dynasty: At the end of this period the priests of Egypt increased their power further by producing magical spells that would help the pharaoh during his journey through the Underworld. These spells were inscribed on the walls of the pyramids. They became known as the Pyramid Texts and the majority of the text related to solar and celestial subjects. The Pyramid texts honored both the sun god Ra and also Osiris. Fact 16 on 5th Dynasty: The five pyramids at Saqqara with Pyramid texts are those of the King Unas, the last king of the 5th Dynasty, and five kings of the Sixth Dynasty. Fact 17 on 5th Dynasty: The death of Unas saw the end of this line of the ancient Egyptian kings. Ancient Egyptian History - 5th Dynasty Fact Sheet 5th Dynasty Chronology - Succession and History of the Kings Chronology of the Kings Name - Dates of Reign King Userkaf - 2467–2458 BC King Sahure - 2458–2446 BCKing Neferirkare Kakai - 2446–2426 BC King Shepseskare Ini - 2426–2419 BCKing Neferefre (aka Raneferef) - 2419–2416 BC King Niuserre - 2416–2392 BCKing Menkauhor - 2396–2388 BC King Djedkare Isesi (aka Izezi) - 2388–2356 BCKing Unas (aka Unis & Weni) - 2356–2323 BC Chronology of the Kings5th Dynasty History Ancient Egyptian History Egytian Time Periods Prehistoric Egytpt 5000 - 3100BCE Early Dynastic Period: 3100 - 2686 BCE The Old Kingdom 2686 - 2181 BCE 1st Intermediate Period 2181 - 2134 BCE The Middle Kingdom 2134 - 1782 BCE 2nd Interm ediate Period 1782 - 1550 BCE The New Kingdom 1550 - 1069 BCE 3rd Interm ediate Period 1069 - 664 BCE The Late Period 664 - 332 BCE Ptolemaic Egypt 332 - 30 BCE Roman & Byzantine Egypt 30 BCE - 641 CE 5th Dynasty Ancient Egyptian History |