History of Ancient World

Netjerkare Siptah was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, the seventh and last ruler of the Sixth Dynasty. He reigned from 2184 to 2181 BC, at a time when the power of the pharaoh was crumbling and that of the local nomarchs was on the rise. Although he was male, Netjerkare Siptah is most likely the same person as the female ruler Nitocris mentioned by Herodotus and Manetho. Netjerkare Siptah was the son of Merenre II and his secondary wife Itakayet. He was a child when he ascended to the throne, and his mother served as regent during his early reign. Netjerkare Siptah was married to his half-sister, Twosret, who may have also served as regent after his death. Netjerkare Siptah's reign was marked by political instability and economic decline. He was unable to control the local nomarchs, who were increasingly asserting their independence. The country also suffered from a series of natural disasters, including floods and famines. Netjerkare Siptah died after a s

Pharaoh Merenre (also spelled Mernere or Merenrê) was the fourth king of the Sixth Dynasty of Egypt. He ruled for an estimated 6 to 11 years, from 2283 to 2278 BC or 2258 to 2251 BC, during the late Old Kingdom period. He was the son of Pepi I and Ankhesenpepi I, and was succeeded by his son, Pepi II. Merenre's reign was relatively short, but he was a successful ruler. He continued the expansion of Egypt's trade with Nubia, and he also built a number of new temples and monuments. (PYRAMID OF MERENRE) His most famous monument is his pyramid, which is located at Saqqara. The pyramid is known as the Khanefermerenre, and it is one of the best-preserved pyramids from the Old Kingdom. Merenre's death was a major turning point in Egyptian history. His successor, Pepi II, was only a child when he ascended to the throne, and his reign was long and troubled. The Old Kingdom eventually collapsed, and Egypt entered a peri

Pepi I Meryre, also known as Pepy I, was the third king of the Sixth Dynasty of Egypt. He ruled for over 40 years, from 2332 to 2283 BC, at the turn of the 24th and 23rd centuries BC. He was the son of Teti, the founder of the dynasty, and ascended the throne only after the brief intervening reign of the shadowy Userkare. His mother was Iput, who may have been a daughter of Unas, the final ruler of the preceding Fifth Dynasty. Pepi I was a successful ruler who oversaw a period of economic prosperity and cultural achievement. He expanded Egypt's trade networks and initiated a policy of intensive penetration of Nubia, south of the First Nile Cataract. (PYRAMID OF PEPI 1) He also built a number of important monuments, including his own pyramid at Saqqara, which is the second largest pyramid in Egypt after the Great Pyramid of Giza. Pepi I was succeeded by his son Merenre Nemtyemsaf I, with whom h

Userkare (also known as Woserkare) was the second pharaoh of the Sixth Dynasty of Egypt, reigning briefly, from 1 to 5 years, in the late 24th to early 23rd century BC. His name means "Powerful is the soul of Ra." Very little is known about Userkare's reign. He is not mentioned in any contemporary sources, and his name only appears on two later king lists: the Abydos King List and the Turin Canon. These lists indicate that he was the second pharaoh of the Sixth Dynasty, succeeding Teti and preceding Pepi I. The lack of contemporary sources for Userkare's reign has led to some speculation about his identity and relationship to Teti. Some scholars have suggested that he may have been Teti's son, while others have argued that he was a usurper who seized the throne after Teti's death. The only physical evidence that survives for Userkare's reign is a few cylinder seals and a copper ax head. These artifacts are inscribed with his name