Abusir

pyramids of Abusir

Abusir a site south of Giza dating to the Fifth Dynasty (2465–2323 B.C.E.) and containing a tremendous burial ground and pyramidal edifices. The vast pyramid of SAHURÉ (r. 2458–2446 B.C.E.) commands the site that once contained 14 such structures, most now lessened to centers of rubble or, then again stone. Sahuré's pyramid has a thoroughfare, valley temple, and a trench in place. The colonnade of the valley sanctuary has eight segments and in addition a huge corridor given divider reliefs and a dark basalt asphalt. A sanctuary territory committed to the goddess Sekhmet seems to have been repaired as a holy place in later times, supporting in its preservation. Storerooms, hallways, and specialties shape two levels, what's more, red rock papyrus segments bolster the upper floor. Cultic chambers, an asylum with a holy place, and a rock false entryway were additionally found there. An intricate waste framework was consolidated into the mind boggling, utilizing lion-headed figures of grotesqueness and open channels. Copper-lined bowls were associated with underground copper pipes in this system. These are as yet noticeable. Called "the Soul of Sahuré Shimmers" at its devotion, this pyramid has a limestone center as the establishment, loaded with sand and rubble and confronted with fine stone.

The mastaba of the aristocrat Ptahshepses, a relative of Niuserré (r. 2416–2392 B.C.E.) and a court authority, is a completely created structure toward the north of Niuserré unfinished landmark. Ptahshepses' tomb has a colonnaded court with 20 columns, a porch, a corridor, and a chamber delineating family pictures. Niuserré's pyramidal complex was committed as "the Spots of Niuserré are Enduring." In raising his valley sanctuary, Niuserré usurped some portion of Kakai's unique structure. The center was made of limestone and incorporated a colonnaded court and cultic chamber.

The pyramid of Kakai (Neferirkaré; r. 2446–2426 B.C.E.) was worked out of mud block and finished by his successor. It was committed as "Kakai Has Become a Soul" or, on the other hand as "the Pyramid of the Ba-soul." Local limestone shaped the center, and the confronting was a fine limestone and red rock. The pyramid of Neferefré (r. 2419–2416 B.C.E.) is likewise situated on the site of Abusir. It was committed as "the Pyramid which is Divine of the Ba-spirits" however was never finished. It was a low hill of limestone, with no interstate or sanctuary. Another demolish at Abusir is related with Queen KHENTAKAWES, the partner of Shepsekhaf (r. 2472–2467 B.C.E.). Another tomb was as of late found at Abusir, dating to the Sixth Dynasty (2323–2150 B.C.E.) and worked for a judge named Inti. Expansive, with ground and underground levels, the tomb is a piece of a complex of locales having a place with Inti's family. Expand embellishments and statues have moreover been found.

Abu Rawash

The protect at Abu Rawash rests
in the shade of the internment
pit of the Pyramid of Djedefre

Abu Rawash is a site located in north of Giza. The principle landmark on the site dates to the Fourth Line, developed by Ra'Djedef (r. 2528–2520 B.C.E.), the child and successor of King Khufu(Cheops). Ra'djedef raised a pyramid at Abu Rowash, halfway encased in red rock and incomplete. A mortuary temple is on the eastern side of the pyramid and a valley temple was designated as a component of the complex. A watercraft pit on the southern side of the pyramid contained statues of Ra'djedef, the bring down piece of a statue of Queen Khentetka, and a sphinx shape, the main such sphinx frame found in a regal tomb. In the valley sanctuary of the complex a statue of Arsinoe (2), the partner of Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285–246 B.C.E.), was found. Likewise found were close to home objects of 'AHA (Menes, 2920 B.C.E.) and DEN (c. 2800 B.C.E.) of the In the first place Dynasty. A newfound mud-block pyramid on the site has not been recognized, but rather an Old Kingdom (2575–2134 B.C.E.) necropolis is apparent.

Kom el-Hisn

In Kom el-Hisn Relief with Hathor and pharaoh Necho II

Kom el-Hisn was a site in the western Delta of Egypt, south of Naukratis, present day Kom el-Hisn.A temple that was devoted to the cliques of the divinities Sekhmet and Hathor was raised at Imu by Senwosret I (r. 1971–1926 B.C.E.). A rectangular structure, the sanctuary likewise contained statues of Amenemhet III (r. 1844–1797 B.C.E.) and Ramses II (r. 1290–1224 B.C.E.), introduced in later administrations. Imu turned into the capital of the third nome of Lower Egypt. The necropolis related with the site contains tombs from the First Intermediate Period (2134–2040 B.C.E.) up to the New Kingdom (1550–1070 B.C.E.).

Pharaohs of the 5th Dynasty

Userkaf (2465—2458)

Sahure (2458—2446)

Neferirkare Kakai (2477—2467)

Shepseskare Ini (2426—2419)

Neferefre (2419—2416)

Niuserre Izi (2445-2421)

Menkauhor (2422—2414)

Djedkare Izezi (2388—2356)

Unas (2375—2345)

Mastaba of Queen Nebet

Mastaba of Queen Nebet

The Mastaba of Queen Nebet situated close to the Pyramid of Unas, not typically open Unas' ruler. Its separated into 3 rooms, the second contains perspectives of Nebet in the array of mistresses.

North of the pyramid of Unas and all around protected. Three rooms. Second room has scenes of Nebet in a collection of mistresses in the royal residence.

The Valley Temple of Unas

The Valley Temple was worked close to a lake situated toward the South-East of the fundamental pyramid and close to the passage of a Wadi that would be utilized to interface the Valley sanctuary to the funeral home sanctuary. Truth be told, it might well be that these two elements decided the decision of area for the whole intricate!

The Valley sanctuary, of which just parts still remain, was at one time a gigantic building. It was gotten to through an incline that opened onto a sectioned court. A tight entry offered access to a cross room, which thusly opened to a moment navigate room in the South, a live with two segments in the North and a third room in the North-West. This last room is associated with the highway, through an entryway situated in the North-West corner of the room. Toward the South of this room was a fourth live with three specialties and a few magazines

Pyramid of Unas

Pyramid of Unas

Pyramid of Unas Looking east down the thoroughfare of Unas

The pyramid itself looks unremarkable, minimal more than an expansive stack of rubble which is predominated by its more seasoned neighbor, the Step Pyramid of Djoser. The structure was first examined by Gaston Maspero in 1881 who had been gathering a corpus of writings found in other Dynasty V and VI pyramids and he was the first to enter Unas' underground loads. The pyramid and part of the funeral home sanctuary was uncovered by Alexandre Barsanti in the interest of Maspero at the turn of the twentieth century, and examination of the morgue sanctuary and thoroughfare was later proceeded by Cecil Firth, Jean-Philippe Lauer and others up to the present time.

The structure's center of harsh limestone pieces reduced in size towards the highest point of its six layers and had a packaging of squares of fine white limestone (now just staying on the most minimal levels).

The passageway to the pyramid was found on the north side, opening at ground level in the asphalt of the court underneath a little passageway house of prayer. A section slants down to meet a hallway and even entry which was initially hindered by three stone pieces. The waiting room lies underneath the focal point of the pyramid, with a room containing 3 specialties toward the east and the entombment chamber toward the west. Taking after the arrangement of different pyramids of this period the top of the internment load was gabled - yet the roof was painted with brilliant stars on a dark blue foundation to speak to the night sky. White alabaster lined the dividers of the entombment chamber. This was etched and painted on the west divider, with outlines in dark, white, yellow, blue and red, proposed to copy the wooden structure secured by reed tapestries of a regal castle or a niched bygone mastaba. All the more eminently, Unas was the main ruler to have writings engraved on the dividers of his last resting place.

The Unas causeway, looking east Cartouche of Unas (Wenis)
Columns of beautifully carved blue painted hieroglyphs on the remaining walls of the burial chamber, antechamber and parts of the passages depict 283 'spells' which were part of a body of texts known today as the 'Pyramid Texts'. These texts, comprising almost 800 known 'spells' or 'utterances', describe the different stages of royal rebirth and were intended to safeguard his (or her) journey from death to the Netherworld, presumably to be read by the deceased. It is thought that the texts were probably composed by the priests of the Heliopolitan sun cult, but may have had a predynastic origin. No single pyramid contains the whole collection of spells and there was no standard edition. One of the texts in Unas' pyramid (utterances 273-4) is referred to as the 'cannibal hymn', which describes 'swallowing the spirits of the gods'. It is suggested that this may be a remnant of an extinct funerary practice such as human sacrifice, though there is no evidence for this in Old Kingdom Egypt.

South-Western corner of the enclosure wall surrounding complex of Djoser at Saqqara. This pyramid complex is thus located at the opposite corner of Djoser's complex as the complex built by Userkaf, the first king of the 5th Dynasty, and between the complexes of Djoser and Sekhemkhet, both of the 3rd Dynasty, as part of the diagonal between the pyramid of Sekhemkhet in the southwest and the pyramid of Teti, which was to be built later, in the northeast.

The mortuary temple of this complex, which traditionally extends to the East of the main pyramid, was built on top of the substructure of the 2nd Dynasty tomb assigned to Hotepsekhemwi. It is very likely that almost nothing subsisted of this older tomb's superstructure at the time Unas had his monument built.
The name of this funerary complex was nfr-s.wt, "the (most) beautiful of places".

The complex consists of all the standard elements: a main pyramid, to the East of which are located a mortuary temple and a small satellite pyramid. A long causeway connects the mortuary temple to a valley temple, at some distance to the South-East of the pyramid. Parts of the valley temple are still preserved.
A Queen's pyramid has never been found, which suggests that Unas does not appear to have had a pyramid built for his queen(s).

Unas (2375—2345)

Unas or Wenis was the ninth ruler of the fifth Dynasty. He led Egypt from 2356 till 2323 BC. Amid his rule, fruitful exchange campaigns were directed with neighboring countries. An engraving raised at Elephantine demonstrates a giraffe that was conveyed to Egypt with other intriguing creatures for antiquated Egyptians, amid Wenis' rule. Another drawing found on a found vase indicates fight scenes amid his rule. There was a noteworthy starvation amid this time. Wenis had two spouses, Queen Nebet, who was the mother of Prince Wenisakh, and Queen Khenut. The ruler was covered in Saqqara in a brilliant tomb with dividers secured with the "Pyramid Texts".

The relationship of Unas with his antecedents or successors is not known. He was hitched to Khenut and to Nebit, however their relationship to Unas' antecedents is not known either, nor are the names of any kids that he would have had with them. It has once in a while been proposed, however, that Iput I was a little girl of Unas.

Both of Unas' Queens were covered in mastaba tombs outside of Unas' pyramid complex, which, in itself is unordinary since regularly in this period the Queens would be covered in littler pyramids close to their husband's.

According to the Turin King-list, Unas ruled for 30 years, or perhaps slightly more of part of the number is in the lacuna, which is confirmed by Manetho, who recorded 33 years. The highest recorded year from this reign, however, refers to the year of the 8th cattle count, which, in a regular biennal census, would be the 15th year of Unas' reign.

Despite his long reign, not much is known about Unas. His name has been found in Elephantine, at the Southern border of Egypt (Aswan), and also on an alabaster vessel found in Byblos, the latter perhaps indicating some commercial or diplomatic activities between Egypt and the Near East during this period. He seems not to have left any apparent heirs after his death, which may have resulted in some political instability following his death.

Unas is mostly known from his pyramid complex, which he built to the North-west of Djoser's at Saqqara. It is the oldest known royal tomb to have contained religious texts, the so-called Pyramid Texts, which are a collection of spells, litanies, hymns and descriptions of the King's life after death. These texts are the oldest known religious writings known to mankind!

Unas was venerated in the Saqqara district for a long time after his passing

Wenis was the ninth lord of the fifth Dynasty. He governed Egypt from 2356 till 2323 BC. Amid his rule, effective exchange campaigns were directed with neighboring countries. An engraving raised at Elephantine demonstrates a giraffe that was conveyed to Egypt with other outlandish creatures for antiquated Egyptians, amid Wenis' rule. Another drawing found on a found vase demonstrates fight scenes amid his rule. There was a noteworthy starvation amid this time. Wenis had two spouses, Queen Nebet, who was the mother of Prince Wenisakh, and Queen Khenut. The ruler was covered in Saqqara in a grand tomb with dividers secured with the "Pyramid Texts".

Pharaoh Unas is from numerous points of view a shadowy ruler in Egyptian history. His Horus name (picture right) was Wadj-tawy, signifying: "Horus, the prospering one of the Two Lands". Science does not know a lot of his exercises amid his long rule and his passing appears to have caused some kind of disarray and precariousness at the move into the following administration.

Mastaba of Ptah-hotep and Ankhti-hotep (North Saqqara)

Ptah-hotep, a cleric o Maat amid the rule of Djedkare

Ankh-ti-hotep his child, was the visioer, judge and administrator of the silos.

Reliefs are in different phases of fruition. Not painted.

*Mural aboe the passageway demonstrates the minister being manicured and pedicured when Europe was in the stone age.

May contain the main craftsman's mark - Ankhen-ptah, the central craftsman.

Ptah-hotep was a cleric of Maat, and held an essential position amid the regin of Djedkare. Akhti-hotep was his dad, and vizier, head of the treasurey and silo and also judge.

Littler than Ti's mastaba, and not entirely brightened.

Principle passage has reliefs on each side, on the left are line drawings in red and rectified in dark.

Reliefs in the tomb chamber are very much safeguarded, a portion of the best of the old kingdom. They hold some shading.

Roofs in the tomb chamber are the impersonation trunks of palm trees.

Akhti-hotep's chamber is less enriched and littler. There is a chamberon the left that contains a unidentified mummy.

Mortuary temple of Djedkare-Isesi

Djedkare's funeral home sanctuary lies on the eastern face of the pyramid, based on inclining ground which must be leveled before development could start. Two huge towers as an arch initially fronted the sanctuary, yet their motivation is as yet hazy and it creates the impression that they didn't contain any rooms.

Parts of reliefs found in the sanctuary range propose that it was once lavishly adorned, yet it has been seriously harmed and the zone has never been totally exhumed. The symmetrical arrangement is by all accounts like that of other pyramid sanctuaries of Dynasty V with a passage corridor and a focal colonnaded court with magazines on either side. The 16 pink stone sections in the court bore the names and titles of Djedkare-Isesi. The inward and external parts of the sanctuary were isolated by a transverse hallway, and past this was a chamber with five statue-specialties, a waiting room and an offering lobby and on the western side a false entryway was fused into the substance of the pyramid.

Complex Pyramid of Djedkare Izezi

Complex Pyramid of Djedkare Izezi

Initially called "Wonderful is Djedkare" . Today called Haram el-Shawaf, the "Sentinel Pyramid". Explored by Perring, and the Lepsius campaign . Entered in 1880 by Maspero to search for pyramid writings . Not went by again until the twentieth century, but rather the exploration was lost . The valley sanctuary has never been researched . Most likely worked under the supervision of Snedjemib, administrator of works . Djedkare was Menkauhor's successor in the fifth line. Most likely his child or his cousin.

The ruins of the valley temple lie under the edg eof the houses in the nearby villageSome granite stones are incorporated into the houses Causeway is not quite east-west A nearby necropolis for sacred snakes dates from the Late Period, and is near the upper end of the causeway The foundation slopes sharply on the east side, where the mortuary temple is located. A central courtyard with columned hall and alabaster walkway. The columns are pink granite palm columns.

The western part of the temple was incorporated into the masonry of the pyramid.
Very little remains of the decoration sor structure. Small cult pyramid near the southeast corner of the main pyramid is common. It has three coresw and a single underground chamber, entered from the north side, and enclosed in a small retaining wall.

Entrance is on the north side, but not on the pyramid face, but rather in the pavement of the courtyard and covered with a chapel. Private tombs are nearby, but they do not contain his family (they were buried in Abusir) A pyramid of an unknown queen, possibly of Djedkare, is almost integrated into the pyramid.

Basalt sarcophagus, with the head oriented to the north Fragments of canopic jars Mummified body of a man about 50 years old, possibly that of Djedkare

Core of six steps, currently missing the upper three layers 49 meters (163 feet) high (Currently only 24 meters tall) . Each step is approximately 7 meters  high, built of limestone with clay mortar. Casing is long gone, but the north side is well preserved "Pyramid of the Sentinel" 25m tall, open ot visitors, but very little to see Djedkare-Isesi was the penultimate king of Dynasty V, the predecessor to Unas. He was the first pharaoh to build a pyramid in the area to the south of the main Saqqara necropolis, moving away from the chosen burial grounds of his immediate ancestors at Abusir. Although Djedkare's ancestry is still unclear, it is known that he reigned for at least three decades, during which time he was responsible for reforming the administration of Upper and Lower Egypt and reorganising the mortuary cult at Abusir.

Pyramid of Djedkare-Isesi from the north   Pyramid of Djedkare-Isesi from the north
The pyramid of Djedkare, overlooking the modern village of Saqqara, is known today as 'The Sentinel' (el-Shawaf) but was originally named 'Beautiful is Djedkare'. It was visited by Perring, and recorded by Lepsius, but was first entered by Gaston Maspero in 1880 during his search for pyramid texts. In the 1940s the pyramid was excavated by Abdel Salam Hussein, although his work was never published. It has been sporadically investigated since then, especially in the area of the causeway, but due to the damage to the pyramid complex in antiquity little remains have been found there.

The funerary complex that Djedkare built at Saqqara followed the general standards of the time. To the West there was a pyramid, with its entrance facing North. There was a small Satellite Pyramid near the Southeast corner of the main pyramid. The king's mortuary temple extented to the East of the pyramid. The only surprise comes from the structure of the Queen's Pyramid complex, which is located to the Northeast of the King's Pyramid. It is the first to have contained all the elements that were standard in the funerary complex of a king: a pyramid, be it a small one, to the West, an even smaller satellite pyramid to the Southeast and a mortuary temple to the east

Djedkare Izezi (2388—2356)

Djedkare Izezi was the eighth ruler of the fifth Dynasty and ruled Egypt from 2388 till 2356 BC. He was an exceptionally keen and vivacious lord, and he could take full preferred standpoint of all the accessible mineral assets in Egypt at Wadi Hammamat and Sinai. His name was recorded at Wadi Maghara and Wadi Halfa. His beneficiary was his child, Prince Remkuy, who passed on before he expected the position of authority.

The relationship of Djedkare with his antecedents or successors is not known. As indicated by the Turin King-list he administered for a long time, albeit a few Egyptologists would want to peruse the number given as 38. The most elevated known year reference for this lord is the time of the 22nd cows number. In the event that the steers checks were held at general two year interims, this would be the 43rd year of Djedkare's rule. Manetho records 44 years for this ruler.

Djedkare's name has been found in the Sinai, demonstrating a continued Egyptian interest in this rich region, Abydos and Nubia. His reign is marked by some important changes: the solar cult, although not abandoned, loses some of its importance and predominance, and the power of the central government is weakened to the advantage of the provincial administration.

Another important change that occurred during Djedkare's reign is that he returned to Saqqara to build his funerary monument. This does not mean, however, that the funerary temples of Abusir were abandoned. The larger part of the papyri found in the funerary temple of Neferirkare are dated to Djedkare.

Izezi was the eighth king of the 5th Dynasty and ruled Egypt from 2388 till 2356 BC. He was a very smart and energetic king, and he was able to take full advantage of all the available mineral resources in Egypt at Wadi Hammamat and Sinai. His name was inscribed at Wadi Maghara and Wadi Halfa. His heir was his son, Prince Remkuy, who died before he assumed the throne
Djedkare, was the eighth ruler of dynasty five and was perhaps a son or another relative to his predecessor.

His Horus-name Djedkhawu is shown in picture right and the prenomen Isesi (or Issi) to the left. He had a son and heir named Remkuy who died before him. Though his long reign of about 30 years, surprisingly few facts of him has come forward. Like the pharaoh before him he probably did not build a sun temple and choose his tomb to be placed in the royal burial ground in Sakkara.

Two expeditions are recorded going to Sinai and an expedition to the mystical country Punt is also noted for in graffiti. He kept both the commercial and diplomatically contacts with the important trade centres in Syria. A few officials from his time are known and he is mentioned in contemporary letters as well as royal ones from the next dynast. The papyri records found in the funerary temple of the older king Neferirkare are dated to his time.

Djedkare's pyramid is situated at South Sakkara and today it's called "The Sentinel Pyramid". A mummy found within it is believed to be Djedkare himself, and estimated to be from a man about fifty years old, which correspond well to his reign.

After a few pretty much expert diggings throughout the years the pyramid was analyzed in the 1980s and discovered extremely harmed and hard to uncover. The valley sanctuary have had only a couple brief examinations and some remaining parts of dividers with reliefs from the boulevard have been found. At the Nile side the geography is a substantial incline and incredible endeavors have been taken to make the establishment to the funeral home sanctuary. Flanking the passage were two square gigantic, tower-like arches. The passageway corridor had extremely monstrous dividers, maybe to bolster a vaulted rooftop. The passage was once cleared in alabaster, the distance into the sanctuary yard.

 The name of his pyramid was: "The Beautiful Pyramid" (picture left) sometimes written with the king's name in front, to spread a little beauty over the owner too. The hieroglyph for "beautiful" (nefer) was by tradition an image of a animal's belly and windpipe (the blue sign).

Menkauhor (2422—2414)

Menkauhor on a stele from Louvre

Menkauhor was the seventh lord of the fifth Dynasty. He controlled Ancient Egypt from 2396 till 2388 BC, yet never accomplished the level of distinction that whatever remains of the rulers in his tradition did. He constructed a pyramid in Dahshur, however just its vestiges remain. There is a little alabaster statue of Menkauhor situated in the Egyptian historical center in Cairo. He is rumored as having sent his troops to Sinai with a specific end goal to secure materials for the development of his tomb.

The relationship of Menkauhor with his ancestors or successors is not known. As per the Turin King-list he governed for somewhere in the range of 8 years.

His reign is validated by an engraving in the Sinai and a seal from Abusir. His sun powered sanctuary, called Akhet-Re, and his pyramid are said in writings from private tombs, yet have not yet been distinguished. On the off chance that the presumption that his pyramid is to be situated at Dashur is right, this would infer a takeoff from Abusir.

Menkauhor was most likely the seventh leader of Egypt's fifth Dynasty. Menkauhor was this current ruler's honored position name, which signifies "Interminable are the Souls of Re". His original name was Kalu. Notwithstanding, he is likely the minimum very much validated leader of this administration and can be considered as a real part of the slightest verified rulers of any non middle period.

The relationship of Menkauhor with his predecessors or successors is not known. However, it is likely that he was either the brother or son of Niuserre, his predecessor. If he was Niuserre's son, it would probably have been by Niuserre's chief queen, Neput-Nebu. It is also likely that he was the father of Djedkare, who followed him to the throne. If not, he was almost certainly Djedkare's brother, with Niuserre being both king's father, or Djedkare's cousin, with Djedkare being the son of Neferefre, and Menkauhor being the son of Niuserre.

According to the Turin King-list he ruled for some eight years. References fairly consistently give his reign as lasting from about 2421 or 2422 until 2414.
His solar-temple, called Akhet-Re, and his pyramid are mentioned in texts from private tombs. This dynasty was famous for their solar temples, and Menkauhor's temple is probably located at either Abusir or Saqqara. It would have probably been the last such temple built, however, because his successors appear to have drifted away somewhat from the solar cult.

Menkauhor's pyramid has not been positively identified, but if the assumption that his pyramid is to be located at Dashur is correct, this would imply a departure from Abusir. However, some Egyptologists seem to strongly believe that his pyramid is the "Headless Pyramid", located in North Saqqara east of Teti's complex. There is mounting evidence to support this conclusion. B. G. Ockinga, for example argues that during the 18th Dynasty the Teti complex may have been associated with a cult belonging to a deified Menkauhor. Wherever it is located, his pyramid was called "Divine are the (cult) places of Menkauhor".

His reign is attested by an inscription in the Sinai at Magharah, indicating that he continued to quarry stone in that location as did his predecessors and successors. Given the lack of information on this king, we can also probably make some assumptions based on the activities of those predecessors and successors. For example, while he have no inscriptions as evidence, both Niuserre and Djedkare quarried stone northwest of Aswan, so it is likely that Menkauhor did as well. It is also highly likely that he continued commercial and diplomatic relations with Byblos, as did both Niuserre and Djedkare, and in fact we do find a few objects in the area near Dorak bearing his name. It is also likely that he had some sort of dealings with Nubia, but  whether he sent expeditions to Punt, as did Niuserre and Djedkare, is unknown
Otherwise, Menkauhor is also attested to by a small alabaster statue that is now located in the Egyptian museum in Cairo and by a relief of Tjutju adoring King Menkauhor and other divinities. This relief, owned by the Louvre, has been on loan to the Cleveland Museum of Art. We also have a seal bearing his name that was found at Abusir.

King Menkauhor was the seventh king of the 5th Dynasty. He ruled Ancient Egypt from 2396 till 2388 BC, but never achieved the level of fame that the rest of the kings in his dynasty did. He built a pyramid in Dahshur, but only its ruins remain.
There is a small alabaster statue of Menkauhor located in the Egyptian museum in Cairo. He is reputed as having sent his troops to Sinai in order to acquire materials for the construction of his tomb.

In the cartouche above left we can read Menkauhor's short nomen Kaiu and the name of his pyramid is known from hieroglyphic text:
 the humble meaning is - "Divine are the (cult) places of Menkauhor" and the king himself is sitting in front of his pyramid.