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Learn about the Egyptian Dynasties with our fast fact sheets. |
History of the 6th Dynasty and its Pharaohs from King Teti to Queen Nitocris Sixth Dynasty Dates: c2323–2181 B.C.E. Ancient Egyptian History - 6th Dynasty Fact Sheet Fact 1 on 6th Dynasty: The previous period of the "Sun Kings" saw the building of smaller pyramids and the construction of great Sun Temples dedicated to the Sun-god Ra. The power of the kings and the royal family declined when commoners were raised to exalted positions in the government and the priests became highly influential. The end of the era saw the rise in the funerary cult of Osiris and the inscription of the Pyramid Texts appearing in many burial chambers. Fact 2 on 6th Dynasty: This house of kings was founded by King Teti, who had married Queen Iput, who was a daughter of the previous King Unas. Fact 3 on 6th Dynasty: King Teti was surrounded by political intrigue in his court and the growing power of his courtiers. According to Manetho he was murdered by his own bodyguard, and the throne was seized by the usurper Userkare. Fact 4 on 6th Dynasty: Userkare was eventually ousted by Pepi, the son of the murdered king and the rightful heir to the throne, helped by two important courtiers called Weni and Fefi (aka Merefnebef). Fact 5 on 6th Dynasty: Weni and Fefi held much of the power in the court of King Pepi. Weni was the general of the army and Fefi was the vizier (Prime Minister). Fact 6 on 6th Dynasty: The reign of Pepi I was both prosperous and eventful. New trade routes were established via the Eastern Desert to the Red Sea and military campaigns, led by Weni, were launched in the gold-rich Nubia on the southernmost border of ancient Egypt and established garrisons and trading posts in the area. Fact 7 on 6th Dynasty: King Pepi and Weni also led troops against the Bedouins in Sinai and in Canaan. Fact 8 on 6th Dynasty: There was another 'harem conspiracy' when Queen Weret-yamtes (aka Amtes or Yamtisy) a consort of Pepi, was involved in a plot to overthrow the king and Queen Amtes disappeared from the court. Fact 9 on 6th Dynasty: King Pepi was a prolific builder and built his pyramid at Saqqara and built great temples at Abydos, Dendera, Tanis, Bubastis and Coptos. High ranking officials also started to build great tombs that rivalled those of the kings. Fact 10 on 6th Dynasty: Pepi II was succeeded by his son Merenre but the new king died at a young age. Merenre was succeeded by Pepi II, his young, underage brother. His mother Queen Ankhesenpepi II, the widow of Pepi I, ruled as regent until he reached maturity. Fact 11 on 6th Dynasty: Like his father before him, King Pepi II was also a prolific builder and undertook massive building projects including temples and small pyramids. Fact 12 on 6th Dynasty: As Pepi II lost control during his long reign, his spending on building projects spiralled out of control and the government was in turmoil, with rebellious officials leaving the royal court. King Pepi II died after an extremely long reign and was buried in his pyramid tomb. Fact 13 on 6th Dynasty: Merenre II succeeded his father Pepi I but only reigned briefly as a Pharaoh of Egypt. He was murdered as the result of a conspiracy and his sister Queen Nitocris swore revenge. Fact 14 on 6th Dynasty: According to Herodotus, Nitocris seized the throne. Queen Nitocris took her revenge. She invited the murderers of her brother to a banquet and then massacred them by flooding the sealed room with waters from the River Nile. Fact 15 on 6th Dynasty: Queen Nitocris then committed suicide so ending the reign of the 6th royal line of ancient Egyptian pharaohs and the period in ancient Egyptian history known as the Old Kingdom. Ancient Egyptian History - 6th Dynasty Fact Sheet Definition of the 6th Dynasty Sixth Dynasty Dates: c2323–2181 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 6th Dynasty Pharaohs 6th Dynasty Chronology - Succession and History of the Kings Chronology of the Kings Name - Dates of Reign King Teti - 2323–2291 BC King Userkare - 2291–2289 BCKing Pepi I - 2289–2255 BC King Merenre I - 2255–2246 BCKing Pepi II - 2246–2152 BC King Merenre II - Dates UnknownQueen Nitocris - Dates Unknown Chronology of the Kings6th 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 6th Dynasty Ancient Egyptian History |
