Old Kingdom Egypt - Third Dynasty

Third Dynasty Pharaohs

Djoser (Netjerikhet), 2667 - 2648 B.C.

The second king of the 3rd Dynasty was Netjerykhet, also known as Djoser. He ruled for almost two decades and is accredited with building the Step Pyramid at Saqqara. The king's vizier, Imhotep, was the architect of that great tomb, and of the magnificent Funerary Complex of Djoser at Saqqara.

Egypt experienced a seven year famine during Djoser's reign, so he sought the counsel of Imhotep and one of his governors, Medir, and agreed to travel to Elephantine at Aswan. Once there he erected a temple to the god Khnum, who was said to controlled the flow of the Nile. The famine ended, miraculously enough, and people believed it was due to this act of faith.

Huni, 2637 - 2613 B.C.

Huni was the fifth and last king of the 3rd Dynasty. He is responsible for the construction of a fort at Elephentine Island as well as a pyramid at Meidum. He built the pyramid at Miedum on the edge of the Faiyum. However, it is still in dispute whether the pyramid was started by Huni and later finished by the Pharaoh Snefru, or whether Snefru started the Pyramid of Miedum. Unique to the pyramid; however, is the first square ground plan. This was an architectural invention which lasted well into the future of Egyptian pyramids.

His wife was Queen Meresankh I. She was the mother of his heir, Sneferu.

	Third Dynasty Pharaohs

	Djoser (Netjerikhet), 2667 - 2648 B.C. The second king of the 3rd Dynasty was Netjerykhet, also known as Djoser. He ruled for almost two decades and is accredited with building the Step Pyramid at Saqqara. The king's vizier, Imhotep, was the architect of that great tomb, and of the magnificent Funerary Complex of Djoser at Saqqara. Egypt experienced a seven year famine during Djoser's reign, so he sought the counsel of Imhotep and one of his governors, Medir, and agreed to travel to Elephantine at Aswan. Once there he erected a temple to the god Khnum, who was said to controlled the flow of the Nile. The famine ended, miraculously enough, and people believed it was due to this act of faith.









	Huni, 2637 - 2613 B.C. Huni was the fifth and last king of the 3rd Dynasty. He is responsible for the construction of a fort at Elephentine Island as well as a pyramid at Meidum. He built the pyramid at Miedum on the edge of the Faiyum. However, it is still in dispute whether the pyramid was started by Huni and later finished by the Pharaoh Snefru, or whether Snefru started the Pyramid of Miedum. Unique to the pyramid; however, is the first square ground plan. This was an architectural invention which lasted well into the future of Egyptian pyramids. His wife was Queen Meresankh I. She was the mother of his heir, Sneferu.