Pepi I

Fact 1 on Pepi I:

Name: This pharaoh of ancient Egypt was also known as Pepi I Meryre. His name means "beloved of Ra".
 

Fact 2 on Pepi I:

History: This young king had a chequered history as it is believed that after the murder of his father King Teti, the throne was usurped by his half-brother Userkare. Userkare only reigned for a short period of just three years when the kingdom of Egypt was restored to Pepi I, the rightful heir.
 

Fact 3 on Pepi I:

During this period in ancient Egyptian history the power of the pharaoh was in decline resulting in considerable political intrigue.
 

Fact 4 on Pepi I:

Family: His father was King Teti and his mother was Queen Iput. Queen Iput was the daughter of King Unas the last king of the 5th dynasty. The marriage between his parents would have helped to legitimize his family's original claim to the throne.
 

Fact 5 on Pepi I:

Queen Iput, helped by two important courtiers called Weni and Fefi, was instrumental in restoring the throne to the rightful heir, the young Pepi.
 

Fact 6 on Pepi I:

Queen Iput assumed the role as his regent in his first years.
 

Fact 7 on Pepi I:

Weni and Fefi held much of the power in the royal court of King Pepi. Weni 9aka Uni) was the general of the army and Fefi (aka Merefnebef) was the vizier (Prime Minister).
 

Fact 8 on Pepi I:

In the tomb of General Weni there is mention of “a secret charge in the royal harem against the Great of Sceptre”.  This 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 Pepi I:

The pharaoh was married to a number of wives whose names were Meritites IV, Nubwenet, Inenek-Inti, Mehaa and and Nedjeftet.
 

Fact 10 on Pepi I:

The names of two of his later and most important wives were sisters called Ankhesenpepi I and Ankhesenpepi II. Both of these sister queens gave birth to successors of Pepi. The son of Ankhenespepi I was Merenre I and the son of Ankhenespepi II was Pepi II. Ankhesenpepi I and Ankhesenpepi II were the daughters of a influential, non-royal man called Khuy of Abydos who held considerable power in the region of Thinis.
 

Fact 11 on Pepi I:

It was acceptable for the pharaoh to practise Polygamy, meaning he had more than one wife at the same time. Having several wives or concubines in the Royal Harem enabled the pharaoh to maintain his dynasty and ensure the line of succession of his family.
 

Fact 12 on Pepi I:

Ankhesenpepi I and Ankhesenpepi II were the daughters of a influential, non-royal man called Khuy (aka Khui) of Abydos who held considerable power in the region of Thinis. The son of Khuy called Djau was also raised to a high ranking official and served as an advisor to King Pepi.