Fifth Dynasty of Egypt facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Fifth Dynasty of Egypt
The pyramid of Unas at Saqqara
Capital	Memphis
Common languages	Egyptian language
Religion	ancient Egyptian religion
Government	Absolute monarchy
Pharaoh
• 7–8 years (first)	Userkaf
• 13 years	Sahure
• c. 10 years	Neferirkare Kakai
Historical era	Old Kingdom of Egypt
Preceded by Succeeded by Fourth Dynasty of Egypt Sixth Dynasty of Egypt

The Fifth Dynasty of ancient Egypt was a time when nine kings ruled the land. This period is part of the Old Kingdom, which also includes Dynasties III, IV, and VI. The pharaohs of the Fifth Dynasty ruled for about 150 years. This was from the early 25th century BC to the mid-24th century BC.

Pharaohs of the Fifth Dynasty

The Fifth Dynasty had nine kings who ruled Egypt. They reigned for about 150 years. This was during the 25th and 24th centuries BC. Historians have different ideas about the exact dates. The order of some kings is also not fully clear. For example, there are different ideas about the reign of Shepseskare.

Here are the known rulers of the Fifth Dynasty:

Dynasty V Pharaohs

King's Name	Horus (Throne) Name	Image	Estimated Reign	Pyramid Location	Queen(s)
Userkaf	Irimaat		7 years	Pyramid in Saqqara	Khentkaus I ? Neferhetepes
Sahure	Nebkhau		13 years, 5 months and 12 days	Pyramid in Abusir	Meretnebty
Neferirkare Kakai	Neferirkare		20 years	Pyramid in Abusir	Khentkaus II
Neferefre	Neferkhau		2 to 3 years	Unfinished Pyramid in Abusir	Khentkaus III ?
Shepseskare	Shepseskare		A few months	Possibly in Abusir
Nyuserre Ini	Nyuserre		24 to 35 years	Pyramid in Abusir	Reptynub
Menkauhor Kaiu	Menkauhor		8 or 9 years	"Headless Pyramid" in Saqqara	Meresankh IV?
Djedkare Isesi	Djedkare		33 to over 44 years	Pyramid in Saqqara	Setibhor
Unas	Wadjtawy		15 to 30 years	Pyramid in Saqqara	Nebet Khenut

The palaces of these kings were in Ineb-hedj, also known as "White Walls." This was the capital city of ancient Egypt.

Life and Trade in the Fifth Dynasty

During this time, Egyptians traveled far for important resources. They went to Wadi Maghareh and Wadi Kharit in the Sinai to mine for blue turquoise and shiny copper. They also went to quarries near Abu Simbel for a type of rock called gneiss.

Trade ships sailed south to a place called Punt. There, they got green malachite, sweet-smelling myrrh, and a mix of gold and silver called electrum. Archeologists have also found proof of Egyptian visits to Byblos, a city in Phoenicia. Some finds near the Sea of Marmara might show even more trade, but these are still a mystery.

Userkaf and Religious Changes

It's not fully known how Pharaoh Userkaf started this new dynasty. An old story, written much later, says that three brothers would become kings. These brothers were Userkaf, Sahure, and Neferirkare. However, experts today think this story is more of a legend than a true historical account.

During the Fifth Dynasty, Egyptian religion changed a lot. The first known copies of special prayers for royal tombs appeared. These are called the Pyramid Texts. They were carved inside the pyramids.

The god Ra, the sun god, became very important. Kings from Userkaf to Menkauhor Kaiu built temples just for Ra. These temples were usually near Abusir. Later in the dynasty, the god Osiris also became very important. You can see this in the writings found in the tomb of Unas.

Djedkare Isesi and Wise Sayings

Among the non-royal people of this time, Ptahhotep was famous for his wisdom. He was a vizier, a high official, for King Djedkare Isesi. A famous collection of wise sayings, called The Maxims of Ptahhotep, is said to have been written by him.

Non-royal tombs also started to have decorations and writings. Instead of religious prayers, these tombs had stories about the life of the person buried there.

See also

In Spanish: Dinastía V de Egipto para niños