Fifth dynasty of Egypt

Fifth dynasty of Egypt

The Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Dynasties of ancient Egypt are often combined under the group title, Old Kingdom.

Rulers

Known rulers, in the History of Egypt, for the Fifth Dynasty are as follows:

Manetho writes that the Fifth Dynasty kings ruled from Elephantine, but archeologists have found evidence clearly showing that their palaces were still located at Ineb-hedj ("White Walls").

As before, expeditions were sent to Wadi Maghara and Wadi Kharit in the Sinai to mine for turquoise and copper, and to quarries northwest of Abu Simbel for gneiss. Trade expeditions were sent south to Punt to obtain malachite, myrrh, and electrum, and archeological finds at Byblos attest to diplomatic expeditions sent to that Phoenician city. Finds bearing the names of a several Fifth Dynasty kings at the site of Dorak, near the Sea of Marmara, may be evidence of trade but remain a mystery.

Userkaf

How Pharaoh Userkaf founded this dynasty is not known for certain. The "Papyrus Westcar", which was written during the Middle Kingdom, tells a story of how king Khufu of the Fourth Dynasty was given a prophecy that triplets born to the wife of the priest of Ra in Sakhbu would overthrow him and his heirs, and how he attempted to put these children -- named Userkaf, Sahura, and Neferirkara -- to death; however in recent years, scholars have recognized this story to be at best a legend, and admit their ignorance over how the transition from one dynasty to another transpired.

During this dynasty, Egyptian religion made several important changes. The earliest known copies of funerary prayers inscribed on royal tombs (known as the Pyramid Texts) appear. The cult of the god Ra gains added importance, and kings from Userkaf through Menkauhor built temples dedicated to Ra at or near Abusir. Then late in this dynasty, the cult of Osiris assumes importance, most notably in the inscriptions found in the tomb of Unas.

Djedkare

Amongst non-royal Egyptians of this time, Ptahhotep, vizier to Djedkare Isesi, won fame for his wisdom; "The Maxims of Ptahhotep" was ascribed to him by its later copyists. Non-royal tombs were also decorated with inscriptions, like the royal ones, but instead of prayers or incantations, biographies of the deceased were written on the walls.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt — ← 760 BC–656 BC …   Wikipedia

  • Fourth dynasty of Egypt — The fourth dynasty of Ancient Egypt is characterized as a golden age of the Old Kingdom. The fourth dynasty lasted from from ca. 2575 to 2467 BCE. It was a time of peace and prosperity as well as one during which trade with other countries is… …   Wikipedia

  • Sixth dynasty of Egypt — The Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Dynasties of ancient Egypt are often combined under the title Old Kingdom .RulersKnown rulers of the Sixth Dynasty are as follows (the absolute dates given are suggestions rather than facts, as the error margin… …   Wikipedia

  • Nineteenth dynasty of Egypt — Dynasties of Ancient Egypt Early Dynastic • 1st Dynasty (c. 3050 – 2890 BC) • 2nd Dynasty (2890 – 2686 BC) …   Wikipedia

  • Twenty-second dynasty of Egypt — The Twenty First, Twenty Second, Twenty Third, Twenty Fourth and Twenty Fifth Dynasties of ancient Egypt are often combined under the group title, Third Intermediate Period.RulersThe known rulers, in the History of Egypt, for the Twenty Second… …   Wikipedia

  • Twenty-fourth dynasty of Egypt — The Twenty First, Twenty Second, Twenty Third, Twenty Fourth and Twenty Fifth Dynasties of ancient Egypt are often combined under the group title, Third Intermediate Period.RulersThe Twenty Fourth Dynasty was a short lived group of pharaohs who… …   Wikipedia

  • Twenty-first dynasty of Egypt — The Twenty First, Twenty Second, Twenty Third, Twenty Fourth and Twenty Fifth Dynasties of ancient Egypt are often combined under the group title, Third Intermediate Period.RulersThe known rulers, in the History of Egypt, for the Twenty First… …   Wikipedia

  • Third dynasty of Egypt — Third Dynasty The Third Dynasty of ancient Egypt is the first dynasty of the Old Kingdom. Other dynasties of the Old Kingdom include the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth. The capital during the period of the Old Kingdom was at Memphis.RulersWhile Manetho… …   Wikipedia

  • Egypt — • Provides information on history, religion, and literature Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Egypt     Egypt     † …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Egypt, ancient — Introduction  civilization in northeastern Africa dating from the 3rd millennium BC. Its many achievements, preserved in its art and monuments, hold a fascination that continues to grow as archaeological finds expose its secrets. This article… …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”