Djoser facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Djoser |
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| Netjerikhet, Tosorthros, Sesorthos | |
Limestone Ka statue of Djoser from his pyramid serdab
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| Pharaoh | |
| Reign | 19 or 28 years ca. ca. 2686 BC - 2649 BC, 2687-2668 BC, 2668-2649 BC, 2667-2649 BC, or 2630 BC - 2611BC (3rd Dynasty) |
| Predecessor | Khasekhemwy (most likely) or Nebka |
| Successor | Sekhemkhet (most likely) or Sanakhte |
| Consort | Hetephernebti |
| Children | Inetkawes, maybe Sekhemkhet ? |
| Father | Khasekhemwy |
| Mother | Nimaethap |
| Burial | Step pyramid at Saqqara |
| Monuments | Step pyramid |
Djoser (also called Netjerikhet) was a very important pharaoh, or king, of ancient Egypt. He was the first ruler of the Third Dynasty of Egypt, around 2670 BCE. Djoser is most famous for building the very first pyramid in Egypt. This amazing structure is known as the Step Pyramid and is located in Saqqara.
Djoser's rule marked the start of the Old Kingdom. This was a time when Egypt was strong and united. The capital city was Memphis. During this period, Egypt achieved many great things.
Some ancient lists of kings, like the Abydos King List, mention a king named Sanakht before Djoser. However, most experts agree that Djoser was indeed the first pharaoh of his dynasty. He ruled for at least 20 years. Some historians think he might have ruled for up to 30 years. This longer reign would have given him enough time to build so many temples, tombs, and monuments.
Archaeologists found a painted limestone statue of Djoser. It is the oldest life-sized Egyptian statue ever discovered. It was found in Saqqara between 1924 and 1925. Today, you can see this incredible statue in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
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The Step Pyramid: Egypt's First Big Stone Building
The Step Pyramid was an incredible achievement for its time. It was the first huge monument ever built using stone. The pyramid stands about 62 meters (203 feet) tall. It is surrounded by a 10-meter (33-foot) high wall. This wall encloses a large area, about 16 hectares (40 acres).
Building such a massive structure showed that Djoser's kingdom was very stable and wealthy. They had enough resources to spend a lot of time and money on this project. The brilliant person who designed and oversaw the building of the Step Pyramid was named Imhotep. He is the oldest architect known by name in history. Thousands of years later, Egyptians still remembered Djoser as the "opener of stone." This name recognized his important legacy of using stone for large buildings.
The Famine Legend: Djoser and the Nile God
Ancient Egyptians told a story about how Djoser ended a terrible famine. A famine is when there is not enough food for a long time. This story was carved on a stone slab, called a stele, about 2,000 years after Djoser's rule. There is no evidence from Djoser's actual time to prove the story. Even if it's a legend, it shows how much Djoser was respected as a great pharaoh.
The story says that Egypt suffered from a famine for seven years. The god of the Nile River, named Khnum, spoke to Djoser in a dream. To please the god, Djoser rebuilt Khnum's temple on Elephantine, an island near modern Aswan. After Djoser did this, the god was happy, and the famine ended. You can still see the ruins of Khnum's temple today.
Images for kids
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Egyptian Museum: Base of a Djoser statue with royal titulary
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Step Pyramid of Djoser, old photograph.
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Step pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, Egypt
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King Djoser running for the Heb-Sed celebration (relief from the underground galleries)
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Step Pyramid and limestone columns.
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West colonnade of the Djoser necropolis.
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Aerial view of king Djoser's funerary complex.
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See also
In Spanish: Zoser para niños
