|
|
|
Ancient Egyptians - Djer |
Profile of Pharaoh Djer Profile of Djer History Time Period: The Early Dynastic Period Dynasty: 1st DynastyPredecessor: Hor-Aha Parents: Hor-Aha and KhenthapDates of his Reign: Exact dates unknown - 31st century BC Principal Wife: Queen HerneithSuccessor: King Djet King Djer Ancient Egyptian King - Djer Fact Sheet Fact 1 on Djer: Name: This pharaoh of ancient Egypt was also known as Hor-Djer (Serekh-name). His name means "Horus who Succours". He was known to Manetho, the ancient Egyptian historian, as Athothis. Fact 2 on Djer: History: He ruled as the king of Egypt during the period in ancient Egyptian history known as the Early Dynastic Period and was a pharaoh of the 1st dynasty of kings by right of inheritance. He succeeded Pharaoh Hor-Aha to the throne of Egypt. Fact 3 on Djer: Family: His father was King Hor-Aha and his mother was Khenthap, one of his father's lesser wives. Fact 4 on Djer: Family: Djer married Herneith whose status and title was the "Consort of the Two Ladies" and the "Foremost of Women". It was acceptable for the king of Egypt to practise Polygamy, meaning he had more than one wife at the same time. Having several wives or concubines in the Royal Harem enabled the pharaoh to maintain the 1st dynasty and ensure the line of succession of his family. Fact 5 on Djer: Family: The names of his other wives were Nakhtneith, Seshemetka and Penebui. Fact 6 on Djer: Children: He had a son by Herneith called Djet who would succeed to the throne. They also had a daughter called Merneith who is believed to have been the first Egyptian queen who ruled in her own right. Fact 7 on Djer: The unification of Egypt was initiated by King Narmer who established the first dynasty, but unification was not completed until the end of the 2nd dynasty. The conflicts between the two lands continued and the first warrior kings of the dynasty, including Djer, persisted with their military campaigns aimed at extend his power and the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt. A drawing on a wooden docket holds the hieroglyphics representing the South and the North, as well as Djer’s name, indicating his progress in completing the unification of the country.. Fact 8 on Djer: As a warrior king Djer also conducted military campaigns in the Sinai, Nubia and against the Libyans. Fact 9 on Djer: The civilization of Ancient Egypt was becoming established. They had used a calendar for some time and the hieroglyphic form of writing was continuing to be enhanced and developed. Fact 10 on Djer: The central government was in the early stages of development and Djer initiated additional economic policies to increase the royal coffers. Ancient Egyptian King - Djer Fact Sheet Pharaoh Djer King Djer Ancient Egyptian King - Djer Fact Sheet Fact 11 on Djer: The Egyptians were already notable builders and the king extended building in the relatively new city of Memphis, building a palace to reflect the growing wealth and power of the new capital of ancient Egypt. Fact 12 on Djer: He is described by ancient historians as a physician who wrote medical and anatomical works. As a young man he would have received a good education from the priests in the temples. Ancient Egyptian temples included a type of hospital where the priests practised their form of medicine and magic. Medical wisdom records were kept in the temples of the god Heka, detailing knowledge of healing, diagnosis, medical procedures and remedies. This would have given the young prince the required background to produce such works. Fact 13 on Djer: The king's responsibilities included many religious duties including making daily offerings to the gods. During his reign Human Sacrificewas practised as part of the royal funerary rituals. Human sacrifice ensured the Pharaohshad servants in the Afterlife. Fact 14 on Djer: King Djer was buried in a large tomb at Abydos - and so were many of his servants. Evidence of human sacrifice has been discovered at his massive tomb complex which included 318 subsidiary graves. 76 of the graves belonged to women, 11 to men and 2 to dwarfs. Fact 15 on Djer: All of the kings of 1st Dynasty chose members of their royal household to be buried with them. The remains of men and women were found in the complex, who had died in order to accompany Djer in the Afterlife. Bodies found from this era show marks of the throat having been cut before the victims were decapitated. Fact 16 on Djer: The practise of human sacrifice ceased abruptly at the end of the 1st dynasty when 'shabtis' took the place of actual people. Fact 17 on Djer: By the Middle Kingdom his tomb at Abydos was converted into a cenotaph to the god Osiris. A cenotaph is a tomb or a monument erected in honor of a person whose remains are elsewhere. The tomb was regarded as the ultimate, quintessential, royal funerary memorial and as such attracted vast numbers of ancient Egyptian pilgrims who were followers of the cult of Osiris. Fact 18 on Djer: King Djer was succeeded by his son who continued the dynasty as King Djet. Ancient Egyptian King - Djer Fact Sheet Djer Djer |
