6th Dynasty

Fact 1 on 6th Dynasty:

The previous period of the "Sun Kings" saw the building of smaller pyramids and the construction of great Sun Temples dedicated to the Sun-god Ra. The power of the kings and the royal family declined when commoners were raised to exalted positions in the government and the priests became highly influential. The end of the era saw the rise in the funerary cult of Osiris and the inscription of the Pyramid Texts appearing in many burial chambers.
 

Fact 2 on 6th Dynasty:

This house of kings was founded by King Teti, who had married Queen Iput, who was a daughter of the previous King Unas.
 

Fact 3 on 6th Dynasty:

King Teti was surrounded by political intrigue in his court and the growing power of his courtiers. According to Manetho he was murdered by his own bodyguard, and the throne was seized by the usurper Userkare.
 

Fact 4 on 6th Dynasty:

Userkare was eventually ousted by Pepi, the son of the murdered king and the rightful heir to the throne, helped by two important courtiers called Weni and Fefi (aka Merefnebef).
 

Fact 5 on 6th Dynasty:

Weni and Fefi held much of the power in the court of King Pepi. Weni was the general of the army and Fefi was the vizier (Prime Minister).
 

Fact 6 on 6th Dynasty:

The reign of Pepi I was both prosperous and eventful. New trade routes were established via the Eastern Desert to the Red Sea and military campaigns, led by Weni, were launched in the gold-rich Nubia on the southernmost border of ancient Egypt and established garrisons and trading posts in the area.
 

Fact 7 on 6th Dynasty:

King Pepi and Weni also led troops against the Bedouins in Sinai and in Canaan.
 

Fact 8 on 6th Dynasty:

There was another 'harem conspiracy' when Queen Weret-yamtes (aka Amtes or Yamtisy) a consort of Pepi, was involved in a plot to overthrow the king and Queen Amtes disappeared from the court.
 

Fact 9 on 6th Dynasty:

King Pepi was a prolific builder and built his pyramid at Saqqara and built great temples at Abydos, Dendera, Tanis, Bubastis and Coptos. High ranking officials also started to build great tombs that rivalled those of the kings.
 

Fact 10 on 6th Dynasty:

Pepi II was succeeded by his son Merenre but the new king died at a young age. Merenre was succeeded by Pepi II, his young, underage brother. His mother Queen Ankhesenpepi II, the widow of Pepi I, ruled as regent until he reached maturity.
 

Fact 11 on 6th Dynasty:

Like his father before him, King Pepi II was also a prolific builder and undertook massive building projects including temples and small pyramids.
 

Fact 12 on 6th Dynasty:

As Pepi II lost control during his long reign, his spending on building projects spiralled out of control and the government was in turmoil, with rebellious officials leaving the royal court. King Pepi II died after an extremely long reign and was buried in his pyramid tomb.
 

Fact 13 on 6th Dynasty:

Merenre II succeeded his father Pepi I but only reigned briefly as a Pharaoh of Egypt. He was murdered as the result of a conspiracy and his sister Queen Nitocris swore revenge.
 

Fact 14 on 6th Dynasty:

According to Herodotus, Nitocris seized the throne. Queen Nitocris took her revenge. She invited the murderers of her brother to a banquet and then massacred them by flooding the sealed room with waters from the River Nile.
 

Fact 15 on 6th Dynasty:

Queen Nitocris then committed suicide so ending the reign of the 6th royal line of ancient Egyptian pharaohs and the period in ancient Egyptian history known as the Old Kingdom.