The government of Egypt sought to utilize their great wealth to create memorials for the pharaohs. The wealth was gained by utilizing expeditions to go out and collect highly prized possessions in Africa and some of Asia. This time period is referred to as Old Kingdom Egypt or the “Memphite Regime”, and lasted for about 800 years. Also during this time many great inventions were coming out, such as the hieroglyphic script and a very effective 365-day calendar.

Overview of the first 6 dynasties of the pyramid age.

During the first four dynasties the p

In 2180 BC a noble family from Herakleopolis took over the government, and Memphis was out of the picture. This family virtually controlled all of Egypt, but in reality they only controlled everything except Upper Egypt.

With things starting to fall apart, it was apparent that something needed to be done. Nothing was ever really done about Egypt’s problems, and was to be conquered several times. These great projects sought after by the pharaohs cost extreme amounts of wealth and manpower. If the wealth had been put forth to keep the empire in shape things may have been different. None the less everything has to come to an end, the 6th dynasty was not the end, they continued to struggle for some 2000 years after this.

Sekhemkhet also built a similar step pyramid, but it was higher than Djoser’s and used larger stone blocks. Ramps were left behind which shows how the pyramid was constructed. This pyramid was also not completed, and tombs were now being called Sarcophaguses. Zawyet el Aryan is believed to have built a step pyramid near Saqqara, but no inscriptions were found inside the pyramid to prove that Zawyet was the owner.

The first pyramid built was for Djoser, this was a feat never attempted before. Basic layout was like steps, thus the name step pyramid. Imhotep whom wanted Djoser to have an “Eternal Home” monitored this project. When Djoser died the pyramid was not yet finished, and his predecessors were more interested in their own pyramids. Djoser’s successors also built pyramids that were also step pyramids. Djoser’s step pyramids rose 60 meters high, and built of mud-bricks.

Some topics in this essay:
Sarcophaguses Zawyet, Pepi II, Ancient Egypt, Works” Hemon, Imhotep Djoser, Userkaf Abusir, Kingdom Egypt, Grand Gallery, Nebhepetre-Mentuhotep Thebes, Upper Egypt, pepi ii, built pyramids, pyramids built, step pyramid, step pyramids, pyramids ancient egypt, decline egypt, pyramid built, building standards, conquered times, control egypt,