Ancient Egypt - Dynasty 3

The Third Dynasty of ancient Egypt is the first dynasty the period of the Old Kingdom. The capital in The Third Dynasty was at Memphis. The Third Dynasty appears to have been one of strong kingship, concentration of power and improved administration. The pharaohs of Third Dynasty ruled for about 75 years.

The kings of third dynasty:

Sanakhte

Djoser

Sekhemkhet

Khaba

Huni

 Sanakhte

Sanakhte also known as (Nebka) was the first king of the third dynasty, his name meaning (Strong protection), ruling from 2686 to 2667 B.C., about 19 years. Sanakhte became king by marrying a daughter of Khasekhemwy. There is a mastaba at Abydos in which fragments with his name have been found. This is also possibly his grave.

Reign from 2686 to 2667 BC   3rd Dynasty
Predecessor (Khasekhemwy)
Successor (Djoser)

Sanakhte

Djoser

Djoser pharaoh the second king of the Third dynasty of Egypt. Djoser ruled Egypt for twenty nine years. Djoser was also known as Netjerikhet, meaning (body of the gods). Statue of Djoser, now in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, is the oldest known statue. Djoser is known as the king who commissioned the building of the Step Pyramid at Saqqara and the temple complex surrounding it. This is the first building made of stone. Architect who planned and constructed the first stone buildings in the world (Imhotep).

The Pyramid of Djoser, or step pyramid in the Saqqara necropolis. It was built for the burial of Pharaoh Djoser by his vizier Imhotep.

The step pyramid consisted of six mastabas. 62 meters tall. The base about 109 meters X 125 meters.

Predecessor (Sanakhte)

Successor (Sekhmekhet)

Father (Khasekhemwy) 

Mother (Nimaethap)

Monuments (Pyramid of Djoser)

King Djoser. Egyptian museum. Cairo

King Djoser. Egyptian museum. Cairo

Step Pyramid Djoser

Step Pyramid Djoser

Step Pyramid Djoser

Step Pyramid Djoser

Step Pyramid Djoser ( Google Earth )

Imhotep in Louvre

 Sekhemkhet

Sekhmekhet was the third king of the third dynasty ruling from 2648 to 2640 B.C. about 8 years. His name is carved on a cliff near (Al-Maghara Valley) in Sinai. The king has an unfinished pyramid at Saqqara.

His unfinished pyramid was discovered at Saqqara, It may have been designed by Imhotep, who was active after Zoser's death.

Reign from 2648 to 2640 BC   3rd Dynasty

Predecessor (Djoser)

Successor (Khaba)

Children (Khaba)

Monuments (Buried Pyramid)

Sekhemkhet

Sekhemkhet

Sekhemkhet

The Pyramid of Sekhemkhet (Google Earth)

Khaba

King of Egypt, fourth king of the third dynasty, ruling from 2640 to 2637 B.C. about 4 years. Less is known about him.

Khaba is believed to have built his funerary monument in Zawyet El-Aryan, about 7 km north of Saqqara. It was left unfinished at an early stage of its building. Height about 20m (unfinished), base about 84m.

Reign from 2640 to 2637 BC     3rd Dynasty

Predecessor (Sekhemkhet)

Successor (Huni) 

Father (Sekhemkhet )

Monuments (Layer Pyramid)

khaba

Layer Pyramid 

Layer Pyramid

Layer Pyramid

Layer Pyramid (Google Earth)

Huni

Huni was the last Egyptian Pharaoh of the third dynasty.

He ruled Egypt from 2599 to 2575 BC. The king established a fortress on the island of Elephantine; also he built a pyramid at Meidum. The Pyramid at Maidum is a big step forward for pyramid builders it is the first to be planned from the beginning with smooth sides. Huni's vizier was a man named Kagemi.

Reign from 2637 to 2613 BC      3rd Dynasty

Predecessor Khaba

Successor Sneferu

Children Hetepheres I, Sneferu

Father  Khaba

Monuments Step pyramid, Island fort at Elephantine, Meidum Pyramid 

King Huni

King Huni

Pyramid  Meidum

Pyramid  Meidum

Pyramid  Meidum 

Pyramid  Meidum 

Pyramid  Meidum (Google Earth)