Sahure

Ancient Egyptian King - Sahure Fact Sheet

Ancient Egyptian King - Sahure Fact Sheet

Fact 13 on Sahure:

His pyramid was called Sekhet-Re, meaning the "Field of Re."
 

Fact 14 on Sahure:

The stone used to build his pyramid complex was sourced from the local stone quarry and the fine white limestone used for the casings were from the Tura quarry.
 

Fact 15 on Sahure:

His pyramid complex consisted of:

The Pyramid
The cult, or subsidiary, pyramid
Mortuary Temple
The causeway (a raised roadway) that led to the Valley Temple
A canal linked the Valley Temple to the River Nile
 

Fact 16 on Sahure:

The pyramid complex was connected to the Nile River via a canal. This access to water enabled the ancient Egyptians to build a highly elaborate drainage system with a network of underground copper pipes.  
 

Fact 17 on Sahure:

His pyramid was much smaller and less expensive to build that the great pyramids of Giza, but it was still impressive. His pyramid is just over 78 meters (255 feet) high, whereas the Great Pyramid of Giza soared to over 146 metres (480 feet).
 

Fact 18 on Sahure:

His successful military campaigns, his fleet of navy vessels and his hunting expeditions were depicted as vividly painted low reliefs on his pyramid and temple.
 

Fact 19 on Sahure:

The purpose of the cult, or subsidiary pyramid, is still unclear. Scholars have theorized that it was a tomb for the queens, the resting place for the king's Ka or an additional location of rituals relating to the cult of the dead pharaoh and the daily offerings made on his behalf by the priests.
 

Fact 20 on Sahure:

Ancient Egyptian gargoyles. The water and drainage system at Abusir included rainspouts shaped as lion heads. Lion-headed gods, such as Sekhmet,  were associated with Ra the sun god.

Picture of Sekmet
 

Fact 21 on Sahure:

Sekhmet was the sun goddess of war and protector of the pharaohs. Sekhmet was the warrior manifestation of the sun, causing flames to devour the enemies of Egypt. Her figure was engraved on the walls of Sahure's Temple at Abusir. As a lioness Sekhmet represented the fiercest hunter known to the ancient Egyptians.
 

Fact 22 on Sahure:

Sahure’s pyramid complex at Abusir was later used in the 18th Dynasty as a sanctuary for the goddess Sekhmet.
 

Fact 23 on Sahure:

His mortuary temple was connected to his pyramid where sun priests of Ra performed daily funerary rites and presented offerings to the dead king’s Ka. His mortuary temple consisted of an entrance hall, an open, columned courtyard, alcoves for his statues,  storage chambers and an inner temple, or sanctuary.
 

Fact 24 on Sahure:

The great causeway (raised roadway) was also beautifully decorated and served as a processional road that connected his pyramid complex to the Valley Temple and on to the River Nile. The causeway ran for 235 meters (770 feet).
 

Fact 25 on Sahure:

The 'Valley Temple' was located on the shores of Abusir lake and contained statues of Sahure and was the starting point of the funeral ceremonies and rituals. The picture below provides an excellent depiction of the temple, its roof terrace and its access to the causeway.
 

Fact 26 on Sahure:

The floor of the 'Valley Temple' was paved with black basalt, its wall were decorated with hunting scenes featuring King Sahure and its ceiling was decorated with star patterns.