Egyptian pyramids

The pyramids of Egypt, some of which are among the largest man-made constructions ever conceived {{an|pyramids_large_structures}}, constitute one of the most potent and enduring symbols of Ancient Egyptian civilization. Although no ancient Egyptian rulers have been found buried in an Egyptian pyramid, it is generally accepted by most archaeologists that they were constructed as burial monuments associated with royal solar and stellar cults, and most were built during the Old and Middle Kingdom periods{{an|when_pyramids_built}}. Egyptian homes were built on the east bank of the river, the land where the Sun rises. Egyptians built the pyramids on the west bank of the River Nile. They believed this was the land of the dead, because the Sun sets there.{{an|west_bank_hell}}

Historic development

By the time of the early Dynastic period of Egyptian history, those with sufficient means were buried in visually unremarkable bench-like structures{{an|mastaba_bench}} known as mastabas.{{an|mastabas_for_rich}}

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The first historically documented Egyptian pyramid is attributed to the architect Imhotep{{an|Imhotep_first_pyramid}}, who in constructing what Egyptologists believe to be a tomb for the pharaoh Djozer, it is theorised first conceived the notion of stacking a number of mastabas on top of each other — thereby creating an edifice comprised of a number of steps that decreased in size towards its apex. The result was the Step Pyramid of Djozer — which was designed to serve as a gigantic stairway by which the soul of the deceased pharaoh could ascend to the heavens. Such was the importance of Imhotep's achievement that he was deified by later Egyptians.{{an|Imhotep_deified}}.

Related Topics:
Imhotep - Djozer - Step Pyramid of Djozer

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The most prolific pyramid-building phase coincided with the greatest degree of absolutist pharaonic rule, during the early part of the Old Kingdom. Over time, as the exercise of pharaonic authority became less centralised and more bureaucratised, the ability and willingness to harness the resources required for construction on a massive scale was reduced, and later pyramids were smaller, less well built and often hastily constructed.

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Long after the end of Egypt's own pyramid-building period, a burst of pyramid-building occurred in what is present-day Sudan, after much of Egypt came under the rule of the Kings of Napata. Whilst Napatan rule was brief and ceased in 661 BC, the Egyptian influence had made an indelible impression, and during the later Sudanese Kingdom of Meroe (approximately in the period between 300 BC–AD 300) this flowered into a full-blown pyramid-building revival, which saw more than two hundred uniquely indigenous, but strongly Egyptian-inspired royal pyramid tombs constructed in the vicinity of the Meroitic capital city.

Related Topics:
Sudan - Napata - Meroe

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