While the structures of the fourth dynasty led to the belief that these tyrants were overflowing with cruelty, the pyramids of the fifth dynasty were seemingly entirely different in nature. Despite the dearth of evidence available on the facts of these rulers' lives, the perception of historians living during that period of time was that pharaohs of the fifth dynasty in Abusir were more humane than their predecessors of the fourth dynasty in Giza, as suggested by the structures of their pyramids. .
The pyramids of the fifth dynasty were not only mortuary complexes but had a greater purpose in that they were temples to the sun god, Ra or Re. The first king to start building at Abusir was Userkaf, the founder of the 5th Dynasty. Though Userkaf's pyramid is located at Saqqara, he built a unique structure we refer to today as a sun temple which he named, "Re's Stronghold". With this temple he created the impetus for most of the following 5th Dynasty kings to build their funerary monuments at Abusir (Winston 1). Sahure, the second Pharaoh of the fifth dynasty, built the second sun temple in Abusir, following in the example of his father Userkaf. These pyramid complexes introduced several new changes from the previous dynasty. The pyramids of Abusir were smaller with cores made of small stones and the mortuary temple was to the south of the pyramid (not to the east as was the norm). The reason for the latter is due to the increasing importance of the sun god to the south. The layout of this temple facilitated the pyramid being filled with many rays of sun throughout the day. After Sahure there were an additional five pyramids/temples built and all were dedicated to the sun god. Former Egyptian Minister of Antiquities, Dr. Zahi Hawass writes: "The sun would strengthen its beams to support the king on its celestial stair. Hence, the pyramid provided the only means for the pharaoh to take himself from the terrestrial world to the celestial world" (Hawass).
They rose from small step pyramids to rather complex and large pyramids. ... The pyramid of Userkaf, which was at Abusir, was already falling apart. ... Djoser's successors also built pyramids that were also step pyramids. ... The second pyramid is considered to be the first actual pyramid. ... This grand pyramid contains a Grand Gallery, which was in the lower part of the pyramid. ...