04 - History of Egypt by Frederick C. H. Wendel

The great king who first united Upper and Lower Egypt into one country, lived not later than thirty two hundred b C. How many years earlier he lived, we have no means of saying. He may have lived five hundred or even a thousand years earlier, But until we can assign him an accurately correct date, it is best to retain the one here given. Naturally, he occupies a high place in Egyptian tradition, being regarded as the first human king of the country. His birthplace was the small town

of Tenny, Greek, this near Abydos. This town was, not, however, favorably located for the capital of a great empire. Somna left it and moved the seat of the government to the city of Memphis, which lay on the Nile, a little to the south of the apex of the Delta. This city was the home of the god Ta, who thus became the official head of the Egyptian pantheon. The site of this city was on the left bank of the Nile, a little above the modern city of Cairo,

at the modern village of Mitraheen. A few mounds of rubbish and some scattered ruins still mark the place where once stood one of the greatest and richest cities of all antiquity. The Egyptian name of the city was Menapher, the good or beautiful abode, from which the Greek name Memphis by which we designate the city was derived. Every city of ancient Egypt had two names, a common or profane name and a sacred name, derived either from the name of its god or from some mythological event located

at it. The sacred name of Menapher was Hetka Ta, the abode of the spirit of Ta. It was defended by a citadel called Ambuhitch the White Wall. The city itself was probably far older than the time of Mena, but in transferring the capital to it. The king naturally greatly enlarged it and came to be considered first its benefactor and later on its founder. What we know of this king has come to us through the Greek historians and Manetho. All that is usually a scribed to the

founders of empire is ascribed to him. The legends related of him are mostly absurd. He is said to have founded the Temple of ta At Memphis, which was the first Egyptian temple, to have first organized the temple ritual, and to have introduced the cult of the APIs Bull, all of which stories are alike incredible. As above noted, Memphis and its cult existed long before Mena's time. He

is also said to have invented the alphabet. The most absurd story is that told by Diadorus, who relates that the king had once upon a time, when pursued by his own hounds, fled into Lake Maurus, and had been brought to shore by a crocodile, and, ingratitude for this rescue, he had built Crocodilopolis on the lake shore, had instituted the crocodile cult, and given over the lake to these Saurians. Then he had built a pyramid here for his tomb,

and had founded the celebrated labyrinth. In reality, the lake did not yet exist in these early times, having been built by Amenhetep the Third, almost two thousand years later Crocodilopolis. The pyramid and the labyrinth were built by this same pharaoh. Footnote. The word pharaoh, which was taken over into the modern languages from the Bible, is derived from the Egyptian word pereea. The great house, a common designation of the king and footnote.

Almost as absurd is the legend that he was an effeminate king devoted to the pleasures of the table, and had first taught his subjects to take a reclining posture while eating. In the first place, founders of empire are not made of such stuff, and in the second place, the custom in Egypt was not to recline, but to sit at table. The king is also represented as a patron of poets. More trustworthy is what Manetho tells us of this king. He was a mighty warrior who campaigned

in Libya and was killed by a hippopotamus. This agrees well with what we would expect of a founder of empire. He was a warlike ruler and was killed while hunting. According to Manetho, he ruled about sixty years. Teta, whom the Greek writers called Atathus the First, succeeded Mena. According to the extract from Manetho made by Africanus, he ruled fifty seven years. According to that made by Eusebius, he reigned only twenty seven. Manetho relates that he built a

citadel of Memphis and wrote a work on anatomy. This latter notice is to some extent confirmed by a passage of the medical papyrus Ebers, in which a hair restorer is said to have been invented by Shesh, the mother of our ruler. A two headed crane is said to have appeared in his reign, a phenomenon that presaged a long period of prosperity of Atte Atathus the second, whom Manetho called Cancnnies. Nothing is known beyond the fact that

he ruled thirty two years. In the reign of Attah the Oenephaes of Manetho, who ruled twenty three years, a great famine prevailed in Egypt. He is said to have erected a pyramid at Cochome near Sakara. Hesepti the usa Faides of Manetho, who ruled twenty years, is quite a literary character among these kings. A remedy for leprosy, which was afterward copied in a medical papyrus preserved in Berlin, and in the papyrus Ebers, is said to date from

his reign. Numerous copies of the sixty fourth chapter of the Book of the Dead assert that this chapter was discovered in his reign and not in that of Myceerenos, while all copies agree that the one hundred and thirtieth chapter dates from this reign. Merbapin the Miebidos of Manetho reigned nineteen years. He must have been quite an important ruler, for the list of kings discovered at Sakara begins with his name. Sementa. The Semempsis of Manetho ruled eighteen years.

It is related that many miracles took place in his reign and that a great plague almost depopulated the land of Kebhu. The Bienchies of Manetho we know only that he ruled twenty six years. Section two. The second dynasty Nedderbaou, the ret Ja'ou of the list of kings found at Abydos. The Boethos of Manetho reigned thirty eight years. Manetho relates that during his reign an earthquake at Bubastis swallowed up many people. Kakahu, the Kaichos of Manetho, reigned twenty nine years.

According to Manetho, he introduced the cult of the APIs bull at Memphis, that of the Meneves Bull at Heliopolis, and that of the ram at Mendes. This legend is incredible and unhistorical. These cults were all as old as the cities in which they were practiced, and antedated the union of the two countries by many centuries. Bah and Neter, whom Manetho calls Benathrus, reigned forty seven years. He seems

to have been an important lawgiver. If we can credit the account of Manetho, it was this pharaoh who first legalized the succession in the female line. This was of great importance throughout the course of Egyptian history, for according to this law, a woman could sit on the Egyptian throne, and many a dynasty based its right to the throne on the law of female succession of watchness. The Thlas

of Manetho, we know only that he reigned seventeen years. Scent, called Sethhanus by Manetho, who ruled forty one years, is said to have revised a medical treatise written in the reign of Hessepti Perabsen, possibly the Chayras of Manetho reigned seventeen years. Nephrikara, the Nefercheres of Manetho, is said to have ruled twenty five years under him. Manetho says the

Nile ran honey for eleven days. Maspero, following Mariette, places in this dynasty some monuments which are certainly older than the times of the Fourth dynasty. They are few in number, but show certain striking peculiarities which prove that they belong together. But we cannot fully verify this very plausible hypothesis until we have more of these monuments. For the present, it is certainly better not to ascribe them to any particular period, but to say merely that they are older than the

times of the Fourth dynasty. The same may be said of the great Sphinx of Giza, the age of which is unknown. Section three the third dynasty. How the second dynasty came to an end and the third ascended the throne we do not know. In fact, our knowledge of the first three dynasties is limited to the names of the rulers and a few legends. Nephrkasokar was the first king of this dynasty. Manetho calls him Nacherofas and ascribes

to him a reign of twenty eight years. The same historian relates that in this reign the Libyans revolted, but as the battle was about to begin, they became frightened at seeing the moon apparently greatly enlarged, and fled from the field. Tosorthos ruled twenty nine years. Manetho relates that he was a great builder and had perfected the system of writing. He was also a great physician, and for this reason had been identified with Asclepius by the Greeks.

Of the other rulers of this dynasty we know only the Nameshoni, the last of these kings, the curferess of Manetho, who ruled twenty six years, was the immediate predecessor of kings Nephru, the founder of the fourth dynasty. Section four.

The fourth dynasty the Pyramid Builders about twenty eight thirty through twenty seven hundred b C. Snphru twenty eight thirty through twenty eight o six b C. The founder of the fourth dynasty, ascended the throne about twenty eight thirty b C. The change of dynasty seems to have been peaceably accomplished. Papyrus Priests, the only text that refers to it, remarks, quote, then King Hoon he died, and King Snphru became a

beneficent ruler over the entire land end quote. He is the first king from whose reign monuments have come down to us. He and his successors built for their tombs great pyramids, forming a line miles in length from Giza on the north to Meidoum on the south. King s Nephru, in all probability, is buried in the pyramid of Meidoum, about which lie the tombs of many of his courtiers. The Egyptian name of the pyramid was Cheh, its builder was Henka. Of historical events of this reign we know

but little. A legendary papyrus preserved in Saint Petersburg tells of an incursion of the Asiatic Bedouins known as Amu. To guard against these inroads, a line of forts was established stretching across the Egyptian part of the Isthmus of Suez. This string of forts is frequently mentioned in the texts, and its official name anbu Heku Wall of the Princes, gave rise to the mistaken impression that the Egyptians had

built a wall across their eastern frontier. One of these forts, named after King Snphru Aa s Nephru, is mentioned in the memoirs of a noble who lived over a thousand years later. But King s Nephrew is not content with repelling the inroads of the Asiatics. He was bent on enlarging his empire. On the Sinai Peninsula, there were located rich copper and malachite mines, which the Egyptians worked in

very early times. Whether Snphru was the first king who opened these mines, or whether they had been opened to the Egyptians by some previous king, we do not undertake to say. But it is a fact that he is the first king of whom monuments have been found on the peninsula. Inscriptions at both of the great mining camps at butt El Kadem and Wadi Maghara tell of the king's campaigns against the Bedouins of the region, who were called Mentius satt and who seem to have seriously resented

the encroachment of the Egyptians. They were, of course beaten, but could never be wholly subdued, and gave much trouble in later reigns. S Nephru died after a prosperous reign of twenty four years Chufu twenty eight o six through twenty seven eighty two b c. When s Nephru died, he left to his oldest son and successor a great and flourishing kingdom. This king is the Cheops of Herodotus.

He is the builder of the largest of the three great pyramids of Giza, the measurements of which are sai of square base originally seven hundred sixty four feet at present seven hundred forty six feet perpendicular height originally four hundred eighty feet now four hundred fifty feet in height of slope originally six hundred eleven feet at present five hundred sixty eight feet. Inside of this great mass of solid masonry, there is the chamber in which the sarcophagus

of the king was deposited. This chamber is approached by a series of narrow passages, which were after the sarcophagus was in place, blocked up in a very ingenious manner. The Egyptian name of this pyramid was Chouot. I may here mention some general facts which hold goods good For all the pyramids of Giza, each one had connected with it a funereal temple dedicated to the memory of the king buried in the pyramid. All of the pyramids were built as planned, a fact that the recent measurements of W.

Flinders Petrie have demonstrated beyond a doubt. Thus the old theory that every king, when he ascended the throne, began a pyramid of moderate proportions and gradually enlarged it as he found he had the time is exploded. The reader will find a full expose of these facts in mister

Petrie's admirable book The Pyramids and Temples of Giza. About each pyramid lay a number of smaller pyramids, probably the tombs of the members of the royal families, as well as the tombs of the nobles that had lived at the court. This king was a great builder. The temple of the lady of the pyramids, Isis, and the foundation of the temple of Hathor at Denderah are attributed to him. Two cities, Menate Chufu, the modern Minya north of Hermopolis,

and Chufu Keebet bear his name. Like his predecessor, he was compelled to make a campaign against the Mentius satt on the Sinai Peninsula, who it seems had again begun to molest the Egyptian miners. The classical accounts of this king are all unreliable. Herodotus gives him a reign of fifty years, and Manetho says he reigned sixty three, while we know from the Turin Papyrus that he ruled only

twenty four years. The classical historians would also have him appear as a great tyrant who closed the temples in order that the Egyptians might all labor continuously at his pyramid, and who, when money failed him, prostituted his own daughter in order to raise funds. The chief responsibility for these stories rests on Herodotus. Manetho attempts to reconcile history and legend by relating that the king, whom he calls Sophis had repented in his old age and had written a

book that was regarded as sacred. Radidef twenty seven eighty two through twenty seven fifty nine b C, the son and successor of Chufu, who ruled twenty three years, did not build the pyramid. Why he departed from the custom begun by his two predecessors we cannot say. Perhaps the forces and resources of the kingdom were otherwise employed. We know, however,

absolutely nothing of this comparatively long reign. Chafra twenty seven fifty eight through twenty seven fifty BC, the chefren of Herodotus, is the builder of the second Great Pyramid of Giza, the Egyptian name of which is O'er the Great One. This s pyramid is somewhat smaller than that of Chafra's father, Chufu,

but it is still of respectable size. Its dimensions are length of side of square base originally seven hundred seven feet now six hundred ndred ninety feet, perpendicular height originally four hundred fifty four and one quarters feet now four hundred forty seven feet inclined height originally five hundred seventy

two feet at present five hundred sixty three feet. Like all the other pyramids of Giza, this one is built of blocks of limestone taken from the quarries of Tura Egyptian name Roeu, in the hills on the east bank of the Nile opposite Memphis. All the pyramids were built so that their sides resembled the great steps, and then these steps were filled in with granite blocks, so placed that they formed a smooth, continuous, inclined surface. Part of this coating of granite is still left on the upper

part of this pyramid. Before this pyramid, a little to the south of the Great Sphinx, there stands a large temple built of granite and alabaster, which was most probably erected at Chafra's order. The fact that it stands in front of his pyramid proves conclusively that it was built after that structure. In a well in the interior of this temple were found the fragments of nine exquisitely wrought diorite statues of the king. Seven of these are at present in the museum of Bulach, one of them being

almost unharmed. How these statues got in the well we do not know. The temple itself is also a mystery. It may have been Schafra's funereal temple, but it may just as well have been erected to the sphinx, the image of Reharmachus, or to any other deity of him. Also, the classical historians relate that he was a great tyrant who systematically oppressed his subjects in order to be able to complete his great pyramid, but there is absolutely no

foundation for these stories. He died after a reign of only eight years Mencare twenty seven forty nine through twenty seven twenty four b c. The Mysarinos of Herodotus succeeded Chafra. Herodotus tells us this pharaoh was celebrated for his great piety and righteousness, and the Egyptian monuments bear this out.

They tell us that he sent out his son hord Death to inspect the temples of the land, and that while on this tour of inspection, the prince had discovered the sixty fourth chapter of the Book of the Dead at Hermopolis Schemunu. Some copies of the thirtieth chapter of the same compilation state that it also was found in this reign. Several later texts mention this prince. The celebrated Minstrel's song quotes one of his sayings and a letter written in the time of Rameses. The second speaks of

the difficulty of understanding his writings. The story related by some Greek authors that the oracle of Bhutto had predicted to him that he would die young, and that he had consequently spent day and night in dissipation in order to double his life is utterly untrustworthy. His tomb is

the third and smallest of the pyramids of Giza. Its dimensions are side of square base three hundred fifty four and a half feet perpendicular height originally two hundred eighteen feet now two hundred three feet, height of incline originally two hundred seventy eight feet now two hundred sixty one feet. The order to erect this structure and the account of the work are given in an unfortunately extremely mutilated inscription in one of the tombs of Giza. The name of

the pyramid was Hairy. Although a systematic attempt to destroy this pyramid was made in eleven ninety six a d. It is the best preserved of all the pyramids of Giza. In the chamber viz. Found the stone, sarcophagus and fragments of the wooden mummy case of this king. The former was lost in a shipwreck. The latter are preserved in the British Museum. How long this pharaoh ruled we cannot say, as the Turin papyrus has a break at his name.

We must, therefore, for the present take the years given by the most trustworthy of the classical writers, Manetho, who states the king ruled twenty five years Shepseskov twenty seven twenty three through twenty seven o one b c. Of this king we know very little. An interesting description was found in the tomb of his favorite, Tashepsis. This man was born in the reign of Minkaure and was educated together with the royal princes. His career as an official

falls almost entirely within Shepseskov's reign. This king gave his favorite his daughter Mayache in marriage, and heaped honors upon him. It is a characteristic fact that neither in this biography, nor in any other inscription of this time, do we meet with any mention of warlike expeditions. The monuments, however, make frequent mention of the king's trips through the country

of festivals and of buildings erected by the pharaoh. Herodotus tells us that the successor of Mysarinos, whom he calls Aceychus, built a pyramid of brick and enlarged the southern peristyle of the t Temple of Memphis. Deodorus, who calls him Sassichus, mentions him as one of the five great lawgivers of Egypt. One of his alleged laws is mentioned by Herodotus allowing a debtor to pawn his father's mummy. In case the mummy were not redeemed, he would lose for himself and

family the right of burial. Deodorus also states that this pharaoh regulated the ritual and invented the geometry and the art of observing the stars. Of these stories, it is safe to accept only what relates to the building operations of the king. According to Manetho, he ruled twenty two years. Two kings, Seberches and Tempthis, are mentioned by Manetho as belonging to this dynasty, but their names have not yet been found on the Monuments Section five. The Fifth dynasty

twenty seven hundred through twenty five sixty BC. The change of dynasty seems to have impeaceably accomplished, for we find that men who had held office under the preceding dynasty were retained by the kings of the new house. Possibly the direct male line had died out and the new line came to the throne by the right of female succession. Userkov twenty seven hundred through twenty six ninety three BC.

The first king of this dynasty was the immediate successor of Shepseskov, as is proved by the inscription of Setchem Kare, who held official positions under kings Chafra Minkare, Shepseskaf, Userkaf and Sahure. All we know of this pharaoh is that he ruled seven years and was buried in a pyramid called Abbasu. Sahure twenty six ninety two through twenty six eighty b C. Had to repel in roads of the Mentiu Satt, who had again begun to molest the Egyptian

miners on the Sinai Peninsula. He founded the city of Persahure north of Esne, and built a temple to the goddess Sochet, the wife of Ta in Memphis. His pyramid, Cheba lies north of Abusir. Sahure ruled twelve years Neferarkare twenty six seventy nine through twenty six seventy two b C. The successor of Sahure is called Kakah in the list of Abydos. He died after a reign of seven years and was buried in a pyramid called Bah of Shepseskare twenty seven sixty one through twenty seven fifty nine b C.

We know only that he reigned twelve years. Of ates we know nothing. Nepherbare reigned probably ten years. Akauhor is another ruler of whom we know absolutely nothing, an whose pronomon was Userenra was the first king to adopt a throne name. Hitherto, the kings had kept the names they had borne as princes, but now the kings took a new name on ascending the throne. This name was always compounded with the name of the god Ra, and was the official name of the ruler by which he was

designated in all state documents. The name of Ra was chosen in all probability because this god was considered as the first divine king of Egypt. The king, however, retained his old name, placing before it the title sa Ra, son of Ra. Thus An's name now was King of

Upper and Lower Egypt, User and Ra the son of ra. An. Not content with these two names, the pharaohs took three other names on ascending the throne, answering to the three titles, Horace, Lord of both lands, and Horace nupti, that is, Horace the conqueror of set. In olden times, the kings used one and the same name with these three titles, thus

the full name of Amenemhat. The first was the Horuce nem Messut renewer of births, Lord of both lands nem Messut, Horace Noubti nem Messut, King of Upper and Lower Egypt, sehotep Abra, the son of Ra Amenemhat. In later times, the pharaohs took a separate name with each title, thus the full name of Rameses. The second was Horace the strong steer, beloved of Mat, Lord of both lands, he

that protecteth Egypt and subdued with the barbarians. Horace Nubti rich in years, great in victories, King of Upper and Lower Egypt, ra User mat setep en Ra that is Ra, strong in truth, chosen of Ra, the son of Ra Ramessu, mar Amon, Rameses beloved of Amon. Frequently other titles are added, and the titulature becomes a hymn on the king on ward on the Sinai peninsula with the Mentiu saateate. He died after a reign of ten years. Menkauhor ruled eight years.

All we know of him is that he too worked the copper and malachite minds of the Sinai Dead. Karah Asa ruled twenty eight years. In the fourth year of his reign, he sent an expedition to Wadi Maghara on the Sinai. He is the first pharaoh whose name we meet with in the quarries of the Wadi Hammamat, although undoubtedly already King Chafra worked them. Unas was the last king of this dynasty with his name. The Turin Papyrus concludes a division and sums up the number of years

since Mena in all six hundred and fifty. It thus would seem that his death marked an epoch in Egyptian history, But our information about this period is so meager that we cannot say what great event can have taken place at this time. Unas had been appointed co regent by his father, as he does not seem to have undertaken any warlike expeditions. He was, however, a great builder, erecting a temple to the goddess Hathor near Memphis. In the Fayoum there was a city called Unas after him, and

probably founded by him. The diorite he needed for these works he quarried in Hamamat. After a reign of thirty years, the king died section six the Sixth dynasty about twenty five sixty through twenty four hundred BC. Teta was the founder of the new dynasty and seems to have been the immediate successor of Unas. It would seem, however, that the new dynasty did not gain the throne without a struggle.

Two kings are ment who belong about in this time, Ati and Imhotep, both of whom quarried stone and the Wadi Hammamat. They were most probably pretenders to the crown. Teta triumphed over all his rivals and ascended the throne about twenty five sixty b C. Whatever struggle there was seems to have been short lived and is not mentioned

in the inscriptions. These inscriptions are chiefly those of nobles, and though they are, despite their brevity, accurate biographies recounting the possessions and offices of the nobles they treat of, they touch on matters of state only incidentally. Of the history of this king we know absolutely nothing. Manetho has preserved a legend that he was murdered by one of his bodyguard. According to the same historian, he ruled thirty years. This pharaoh was buried in a pyramid near Sakara, which

was opened in eighteen eighty one. The Egyptian name of the structure was de Dasu. The opening of this pyramid was of the greatest importance for religious history, but of none whatever for secular history, the walls being covered with long religious texts, containing not the slightest historical illusion. After Teta, the list of Abydos mentions a king oh Sir Kharah, of whom we know nothing. Perhaps this was the king's

throne name and was put here by mistake. Marie Ra Pepi twenty five thirty through twenty five b C, who ascended the throne about twenty five thirty BC, is the greatest monarch of this dynasty. Pepi was the immediate successor of Teta, but we do not know whether he was related to his predecessor or not. Pepi's empire embraced all of Egypt and the Sinai Peninsula. In the eighteenth year of his reign, he sent an expedition to the Wadi Maghara and was compelled to punish the Mentiu, who had

again become troublesome. In the same year, he also sent an expedition to Rohanu Wadi hammamat the quarry stones for some temples he was erecting. His name also appears in the sandstone quarries of Gabel Silsila, and he is the first king of whose opera rations here we have any tidings, though assuredly the quarries had been worked by many of his predecessors. We know that he built in Tannis, and an inscription on the walls of the Temple of Denderah relates that he had found the old plan of this

building prepared in King Chufu's time. He also founded a city, the governor of which Beba is buried. At Chech said, the greater part of what we know of his reign is gleaned from the inscription of a noble named Una. This noble began his career under King Teta in minor offices. Under Pepe, he rapidly gained distinction, rising to high offices. Early in Pepe's reign, he was made judge. Farded himself so well in a very delicate case that he was given the exalted title of only friend to the Pharaoh

and was appointed governor of the Nubian district. He now conducted, in conjunction with a justice of lower rank, a case brought by the King against Queen amst The case was a very delicate one and conducted with the utmost secrecy. We do not hear the cause of action or the outcome of the case. The King was highly pleased with UNA's conduct of this case, and heaped new honors upon him.

The Amu Heryusha, as the Egyptians called the Syrian Bedouins at this time, began to make inroads on Egyptian territory, and it was determined to punish them. A vast army was collected from all parts of Egypt and Nubia, drilled and disciplined under the direction of Una. With this army he marched against the enemy, and in five successive campaigns

completely routed them. Their strongholds were taken and destroyed, their crops were burned, their cattle driven off, Vast numbers of prisoners were taken, and their country was left completely devastated and almost depopulated. Peppi died soon after the close of this war, after a reign of twenty years, and was buried in his pyramid, which bore the name of Menepher, the same as that of Memphis. This pyramid, which lies near Sakura, was opened in eighteen eighty one. Its walls

are covered with long religious inscriptions. Marin Ra Horumsaff twenty five O nine through twenty five O two b c. On Peppi's death, his son marin Ra ascended the throne of him. We know little outside of what Una tells us. This noble was made a prince by the new ruler, an appointed governor of the South. In this capacity, he highly distinguished himself. He made two enumerations of the South, that is, twice took the census of his province, a thing that had never been done before, and that gained

him great praise from the king. He was then ordered to bring a granite sarcophagus and fittings for the King's pyramid from the quarries at Elephantine. The fact that only one man of war would needed to escort six transports and six other vessels as a significant proof of the

extent of the Egyptian power in these early times. We have already seen that Pepi the first conscripted troops from the Nubian districts bordering on Egypt in an expedition undertaken somewhat later, Una pressed Nubian tribes into his service to cut timber and build boats. Most probably, these tribes had been subdued already by King Chufu when he opened the granite quarries on the first Cataract. These tribes most probably

stood in a relation of semi dependence to Egypt. They certainly retained their tribal relations and their autonomy, but were compelled to serve in the Egyptian army in case of war and to assist the expeditions that were sent to Assuan. Outside of this, we know of this reign only that the king made a tour of inspection on which he visited the quarries of Assouan, and that he sent an expedition to the Wadi Hammamat. According to Manetto, he ruled

only seven years. He was entombed in his pyramid, which was named Chanofur. This pyramid was opened in eighteen eighty one, and it was found that the walls were covered with inscriptions analogous to those found in the pyramid of his father. In the sarcophagus chamber was found the carefully embalmed and well preserved mummy of the king, which was brought to Bulloch. The body is that of a young man, which well accords with the short reign ascribed to him by Manetho.

Nefrikhare Pepi the Second twenty five oh one through twenty four eleven b c. On Marenra's death, his brother Nefrikare assented de throne. He corresponds to Manetho's king Phiops, who ruled one hundred years, as the Turin Papyrus gives Pepi the Second over ninety years. All that we know of him is that he sent an expedition to the copper minds of Wadi Maghara on the Sinai. This king was buried in a pyramid near Sakara, the Egyptian name of which was Menanch. It was opened in eighteen eighty one

and contained the same texts as the others. The close of this dynasty is shrouded in darkness. We know of few view of the names belonging here, but of not one of the kings after Peppy the second do we know the history. Thus we hear of a king meant Emsaf, a King Nephrus, and a King ab Nae Taker. The Netocris of the classical authors, belongs in this dynasty, though we cannot give her her exact place. Her name is mentioned on none of the monuments, but many a legend

is related of her. Herodotus tells us that after a reign of scarce, one year, King Menth the Sophis was murdered, and his sister and wife, the beautiful one with the rosy cheeks, succeeded him. She resolved to avenge her husband and brother. To this end, she had a great hall built underground, which was connected with the waters of the Nile. The river was prevented from entering by mighty floodgates. To this hall, she invited all who were implicated in the

murder of her husband to a banquet. When this was at its height, she herself opened the floodgates, and the waters of the nile streaming in. All the guests perished. Then, to avoid the vengeance of the murderer's friends, she threw herself into a large chamber filled with glowing coal, and was burned up. The same historian further relates that in her reign of seven years, she had enlarged the Pyramid

of Myceinos and had coated its apex with granite. There is as little foundation for one of these tales as for the other. The latters story is disproved by the fact that the Third Pyramid shows no traces of having been rebuilt or enlarged. An Arabic legend is also connected with Nitokris, or rather with the Third Pyramid. To the present day, the Arabs dwelling about the pyramids believe that the ghost of the Southern Pyramid hovers about it in the shape of a beautiful naked woman, whom she sets

eyes on. Her smile infatuates, but she is a great coquette, alternately attracting and repelling her victim until he becomes insane and wanders aimless through the land. Many and many a one say they has seen her, especially at noon and sunset hovering about her pyramid, end of chapter for two