1 Sneferu King of the pyramids

2 Outline Introduction Part I. Sneferu’s life a. His reign b. Sneferu and his family Part II. Sneferu’s achievement a. Meidum b. The Bent pyramid c. The Red Pyramid Conclusion References

3 Introduction First king of the 4th Dynasty, active military leader His campaigns against the Nubians and the Libyans are recorded on the Palermo Stone He began trade with the Mediterranean nations ; construction projects throughout Egypt Mortuary complex at Dahshur; the Meidum Pyramid, the Bent Pyramid, and the Red Pyramid He was deified by the kings of the 12th Dynasty, many rulers built their own mortuary complexes beside his

4 I. Sneferu ’ s life a. His reign King Sneferu ruled during the Fourth Dynasty ( B.C.), in the period known as the Old Kingdom ( B.C.) His reign perhaps: BC, but may have reigned forty-eight years

5 I. Sneferu ’ s life b. Sneferu and his family Enjoyed a very good reputation by later generations of ancient Egyptians Considered a benign ruler (highly unusual) His wife Queen Hetepheres, daughter of Huni, last king of the 3rd Dynasty, mother of his son, Khufu (Great Pyramid at Giza)

6 II. Sneferu ’ s achievement Sneferu credited with developing the pyramid into its true form Began by building a step pyramid at Meidum, which was later converted into a true pyramid But this effort met with disaster because of the pyramid's mass He built the Red and Bent Pyramids at Dahshur The Bent Pyramid was the first true pyramid The Red Pyramid is the first successful true pyramid built in Egypt

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8 II. Sneferu ’ s achievement 1. Meidum Five miles south of Saqqara stands the tower-like pyramid of Meidum First known attempt at the construction of a true pyramid; the strong interior of the pyramid was unaffected by the collapse The south side contains the smaller subsidiary pyramid which was possibly intended for the kings wife, Queen Hetepheres

9 Meidum

10 II. Sneferu ’ s achievement 2. The Bent pyramid in Dahshur Located in southern Saqqara stand the pyramids of Dhashur. Among them, the Bent Pyramid Starting at one angle (52 degrees), suddenly changes to a more gradual angle of 42 degrees: unique appearance (original height: 105m) The pyramid was finally abandoned after 20 years of construction as if was not safe

11 The Bent Pyramid

12 II. Sneferu ’ s achievement 3. The Red Pyramid in Dahshur The fourth highest pyramid ever built in Egypt First successful, true, pyramid built in Egypt Gets its common name from the reddish limestone used to build most of its core Construction begun between the twenty-second and twenty ninth year of Sneferu's reign

13 The Red Pyramid

14 Conclusion Sneferu is one of Egypt's most renowned pyramid builders Greatest builder of the Old Kingdom His achievements in pyramid building incorporated evolving religious beliefs (first real elements of the sun worship) Sneferu's later deification due to his status as an "ideal" king, who's deeds were emulated by later kings to justify their legitimacy to the throne Father of Cheops, builder of the Giza pyramid

15 References /TheBentPyramid.htm /TheBentPyramid.htm