Unas facts for kids

Unas (also called Wenis or Unis) was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh. He was the ninth and last ruler of the Fifth Dynasty of Egypt during the Old Kingdom. Unas ruled for about 15 to 30 years, around 2345–2315 BC. He became pharaoh after Djedkare Isesi, who might have been his father.

Not much is known about what Unas did during his reign. This was a time when Egypt's economy was not as strong. Egypt still traded with places like the Levant (near modern-day Lebanon and Israel) and Nubia (south of Egypt). There might have been some military actions in southern Canaan. During Unas's rule, the government became more spread out, and the king's power slowly became less strong. This trend eventually led to the end of the Old Kingdom about 200 years later.

Unas built a pyramid in Saqqara. It is the smallest royal pyramid built during the Old Kingdom. His pyramid complex included a special area for his burial, with temples and a long path called a causeway. These areas were beautifully decorated with colorful pictures. Unas was the first pharaoh to have special religious writings, called the Pyramid Texts, carved and painted inside his pyramid. This was a big change, and other pharaohs copied it until the First Intermediate Period (around 2160–2050 BC). These texts connected the king with the gods Ra and Osiris. The texts were meant to help the king reach the afterlife.

Unas had several daughters and possibly one or two sons. It is thought his sons died before him. A priest named Manetho, who wrote a history of Egypt in the 3rd century BC, said that the Fifth Dynasty ended when Unas died. Unas was followed by Teti, who was the first pharaoh of the Sixth Dynasty. There might have been a short period of trouble before Teti took over. However, old records suggest that Egyptians at the time did not see a clear break between the Fifth and Sixth dynasties.

After Unas died, people continued to honor him with a special funerary cult. This lasted until the end of the Old Kingdom and possibly into the difficult First Intermediate Period. This honoring of Unas continued or was restarted during the later Middle Kingdom (around 2050 – 1650 BC). Even so, later pharaohs like Amenemhat I and Senusret I (around 1990 – 1930 BC) took some materials from Unas's pyramid complex to build their own.

Besides the official cult, Unas was also seen as a local god in Saqqara. People honored him for nearly 2000 years after his death, even as late as the Late Period (664–332 BC).

Finding Unas in History

Ancient Records

Unas is well-known from ancient records. Three important lists of Egyptian kings from the New Kingdom mention him.

• He is the 33rd king on the Abydos King List, made during the reign of Seti I (1290–1279 BC).
• Unas's name is also on the Saqqara Tablet (32nd king) and the Turin canon (third column, 25th row). Both were written during the time of Ramses II (1279–1213 BC).
• The Turin canon says Unas ruled for 30 years.

These lists all show Unas as the ninth and last ruler of the Fifth Dynasty. He came after Djedkare Isesi and before Teti. This order of kings is supported by discoveries in the tombs of officials who served these pharaohs.

Unas was also likely mentioned in the Aegyptiaca. This was a history of Egypt written in the 3rd century BC by an Egyptian priest named Manetho. We don't have the original Aegyptiaca today. We only know about it from later writings by other historians. One historian, Africanus, said that the Aegyptiaca mentioned a pharaoh named "Onnos" who ruled for 33 years at the end of the Fifth Dynasty. "Onnos" is believed to be the Greek version of Unas's name. The 33-year reign fits well with the 30 years mentioned in the Turin canon.

Objects from Unas's Time

An alabaster vase of Unas, now in the Louvre Museum.

Most of what we know about Unas comes from the many pictures and carvings found in his pyramid complex. Surprisingly, few other items from his reign have been found, even though he ruled for about 30 years.

Archaeologists found only four dated writings that clearly belong to Unas's time at Abusir. These mention his third, fourth, sixth, and eighth years as pharaoh. Unas also left a carving on a rock on Elephantine island, near the First Cataract in Nubia.

Several vases made of alabaster have Unas's name on them. Some pieces from Byblos (on the coast of modern-day Lebanon) are now in the National Museum of Beirut. Another vase in Florence says, "Horus Wadjtawy, living eternally, king of Upper and Lower Egypt, son of Ra, Unas, living eternally." The Louvre Museum has a beautiful alabaster vase with a falcon and two uraei (rearing cobras) holding ankh signs around Unas's name. An ointment jar with Unas's name is in the Brooklyn Museum. Finally, a piece of a vase rim with two of Unas's names is in the Petrie Museum.

Unas's Rule

His Family

Unas became pharaoh after Djedkare Isesi died. Many believe Djedkare was Unas's father, but there is no clear proof. The change from Djedkare Isesi to Unas seems to have been peaceful.

Unas had at least two queens, Nebet and Khenut. They were buried in a large tomb next to Unas's pyramid. Unas and Nebet might have had a son named Unas-Ankh. He was an important official and probably died about 10 years into Unas's reign. His tomb is near Nebet's and Unas's, which suggests he was their son, but not everyone agrees. Two other sons, Nebkauhor and Shepsespuptah, have been suggested, but this is also uncertain. It is likely that Unas died without a son who could take his place as pharaoh.

Unas had at least five daughters: Hemetre Hemi, Khentkaues, Neferut, Nefertkaues Iku, and Sesheshet Idut. It is not certain if Iput was also his daughter.

How Long Did Unas Rule?

A carving of Sahure wearing a special tunic for the Sed festival. Unas's temple had similar carvings.

We are not sure exactly how long Unas ruled. Old historical records say he ruled for 30 or 33 years. Many experts believe these numbers are correct. One reason for this is that scenes of a Sed festival were found in Unas's temple. This festival was usually celebrated only after a pharaoh had ruled for 30 years. It was meant to make the pharaoh strong again. However, just showing the festival does not always mean a long reign. For example, Pharaoh Sahure also had Sed festival scenes, but he ruled for less than 14 years.

Other experts think Unas ruled for less than 30 years. This is because there are not many objects from his reign. Also, few documents are dated beyond his eighth year as pharaoh. Some experts suggest he ruled for 20 years, or even as little as 15 years. They also question how accurate the Turin Canon is for the Fourth and Fifth Dynasties.

New discoveries in the tomb of Nikau-Isesi support a shorter reign. Nikau-Isesi was an official who served under Djedkare Isesi, Unas, and Teti. He died during Teti's 11th "cattle count." Cattle counts were how the government counted livestock to collect taxes. It was thought these counts happened every two years. If so, Nikau-Isesi would have been over 70 when he died. But studies of his mummy show he was no older than 45. This suggests that cattle counts happened more often, perhaps every year or irregularly. If so, Unas's 30-year reign (meaning 15 cattle counts) could mean as little as 15 years. This would fit with Nikau-Isesi dying around age 40-45.

What Unas Did

Drawing of a rock carving of Unas on Elephantine island.

Because there are few records from Unas's time, we know little about his daily activities.

Trade and Military

Trade with other countries, especially with the city of Byblos, continued during Unas's rule. Pictures from his pyramid complex show large ships returning from the coast of the Levant. They carried people who were either sailors or slaves. Another picture shows a military fight, with Egyptians attacking Canaanite nomads called the Shasu. Similar pictures were found in earlier pyramid complexes, so they might be common themes rather than actual events. However, other records, like the story of Weni, confirm that Egyptians often fought against Canaanite nomads.

To the south, carvings of Unas on Elephantine island show the king visiting Lower Nubia. This might have been to collect gifts from local leaders or because of problems in the area. A picture from Unas's causeway also shows a giraffe, suggesting trade with Nubia.

Life in Egypt

A carving showing hungry nomads from Unas's causeway at Saqqara.

Unas's reign was a time when Egypt's economy was not as strong, but it was not a time of ruin. The Egyptian government could still organize big trips to get stones for the king's pyramid. Pictures on Unas's causeway show these trips. One official wrote about moving tall granite columns from Elephantine to Saqqara in only four days. The king praised him for this amazing feat. Besides the pyramid, other building projects took place on Elephantine island.

For a long time, people thought Unas's reign was terrible because of pictures on his causeway showing very thin, starving people. This suggested a famine. But in 1996, similar pictures were found in the temple of Sahure, who ruled during a good time. Also, research showed that the starving people were likely desert dwellers, not Egyptians. So, these pictures are now seen as common ways to show the king's kindness to the poor and the difficulties of life in the desert, not necessarily a real famine in Egypt.

Unas's Death and the End of a Dynasty

Manetho, the historian, said that the Fifth Dynasty ended when Unas died. This might be because Unas had no sons to take his place, as his likely son Unas-Ankh died before him. This could have caused a problem about who would be the next pharaoh. Teti, the next pharaoh, chose a name that meant "He who makes the two lands peaceful." This might suggest there was some trouble. Teti might have claimed the throne by marrying Iput, who might have been Unas's daughter. However, experts disagree on whether Iput was truly a king's daughter and if marrying her would have given Teti the right to be pharaoh.

The Turin king list also shows a break between Unas and Teti. Even though this list doesn't use "dynasties" like Manetho did, experts say that these breaks usually happened when the capital city or royal home changed. This suggests that Egypt's capital might have moved around Unas's time.

Even if Manetho said the Fifth Dynasty ended with Unas, Egyptians at the time probably didn't notice a big change. Many officials continued their jobs from Unas's reign into Teti's. This includes important officials like the viziers Mehu, Kagemni, and Nikau-Isesi. Since ancient Egyptians might not have thought about "dynasties" in the same way we do, the difference between the Fifth and Sixth Dynasties might not have been important to them.

Changes in Religion and Kingship

During the reigns of Djedkare Isesi and Unas, there were changes in Ancient Egyptian religion and how people viewed the king. These changes are first clearly seen under Unas. Studies of ancient seals show that the worship of the king became less important during Unas's time. This continued under Teti. This trend shows that the king's power was lessening as the government and priests became more powerful.

At the same time, the worship of Osiris became more important. Osiris started to replace the king as the god who ensured life after death for ordinary people. One expert, Hartwig Altenmüller, says that for Egyptians then, life after death "no longer depends on the relationship between the individual mortal and the king, [...] instead it is linked to his ethical position in direct relation to Osiris."

In contrast, the worship of the sun god Ra seemed to decline, even though Ra was still a very important god. For example, Djedkare Isesi and Unas did not build a sun temple, unlike most pharaohs before them in the Fifth Dynasty. Also, the names of Menkauhor Kaiu and Unas do not include any reference to Ra. This was a change from a tradition that had lasted for about a century. The Pyramid Texts found in Unas's pyramid show how important both Osiris and Ra were. Both gods were believed to be key to reaching the afterlife. Ra was seen as the source of life, and Osiris as the power through which the next life would be achieved.

Unas's Pyramid Complex

The Pyramid of Unas at Saqqara

Unas built his pyramid in North Saqqara. It is located between the pyramid of Sekhemkhet and the southwest corner of the pyramid complex of Djoser. To build it, workers flattened and covered older tombs, including the tomb of the Second Dynasty pharaoh Hotepsekhemwy (around 2890 BC).

The pyramid's original Egyptian name was "Nefer Isut Unas," meaning "Beautiful are the places of Unas." Unas's pyramid is the smallest completed during the Old Kingdom. It has a square base of about 57.7 meters (189 ft) on each side and is about 43 meters (141 ft) tall.

Burial Area

A restored part of Unas's causeway.

Unas's pyramid is part of a larger burial complex. Visitors would approach it from an ancient lake where Unas's valley temple was located. This temple received supplies for the king's worship and prepared offerings. From the back of the valley temple, a long causeway, about 750 meters (2,460 ft) long, led to an upper temple next to the pyramid. Only the causeway of Khufu was as long. A narrow opening in the causeway's roof allowed light to shine on its walls. These walls were covered with painted pictures showing Egyptian seasons, people from different regions, craftsmen working, people bringing offerings, battle scenes, and the moving of granite columns for the pyramid.

At the end of the causeway was a large hall leading to an open court with pillars. This court was surrounded by storage rooms. The court then led into the main mortuary temple, which held statues of the king and where offerings were made to the dead pharaoh. This temple was right next to the east side of the pyramid. A wall surrounded the pyramid, marking the sacred area. In the southeast corner, there was a small satellite pyramid for the king's Ka (spirit).

The inside chambers of the pyramid were first entered in 1881 by Gaston Maspero. He discovered the famous Pyramid Texts there. The burial chamber contained only a black stone sarcophagus sunk into the floor and a chest for the king's internal organs. The sarcophagus held scattered bones, which might belong to Unas.

Pyramid Texts

The Pyramid Texts carved on the walls of Unas's burial chamber.

The most important new feature of Unas's pyramid was the first appearance of the Pyramid Texts. These are some of the oldest religious writings from Egypt that we still have today. By doing this, Unas started a tradition that was followed in the pyramids of kings and queens from the Sixth to Eighth Dynasties, until the end of the Old Kingdom about 200 years later.

In total, 283 magical spells, also called utterances, were carved and painted blue on the walls of the corridor, antechamber, and burial chamber of Unas's pyramid. They are the most complete set of Pyramid Texts known. These spells were meant to help the king overcome dangers in the Underworld and join the sun god Ra in the afterlife. By writing the texts on the pyramid walls, the builders made sure the king would benefit from their power even if his burial ceremonies stopped.

The texts in Unas's pyramid were arranged so that Unas's Ba (spirit) could read them. The Ba would rise from the sarcophagus, protected by spells and offerings. It would then leave the burial chamber, which connected the king with Osiris in the Duat (underworld). The Ba would move to the antechamber, which represented the Akhet (the place where the sun rises). Some spells in the antechamber show the pharaoh flying to heaven through a stormy sky and even eating gods and people to gain their life force. At this point, Unas's Ba would face east, towards the sunrise, and beyond the pyramid walls, towards the false door of the mortuary temple where rituals were performed. Finally, turning left, the Ba would join Ra in the sky by passing through the pyramid corridor.

Here is an example of a spell from Unas's pyramid (Utterance 217):

Re-Atum, this Unas comes to you
A spirit indestructible
Your son comes to you
This Unas comes to you
May you cross the sky united in the dark
May you rise in lightland, the place in which you shine!

Unas's Lasting Influence

A scarab with Unas's name on it.

Unas's most direct legacy was his funerary cult, which continued at least until the end of the Old Kingdom. We know this from the tombs of seven priests in Saqqara who were in charge of the religious duties in Unas's complex. These priests often took names that included the king's name.

Unas's funerary cult seems to have survived through the difficult First Intermediate Period into the Middle Kingdom. By the time of the 12th Dynasty (around 1990–1800 BC), a priest named Unasemsaf and his family were involved in Unas's cult. Despite this, parts of Unas's complex were taken apart. Its materials were reused to build the pyramids of Amenemhat I and Senusret I.

Besides his official cult, Unas was also seen as a god and became a local deity of the Saqqara burial ground. Some experts believe this was because his burial complex was so grand. Others think that a popular cult for Unas didn't exist during the Old Kingdom but started from the Middle Kingdom onwards. They suggest this was because Unas's complex was a natural entrance to the Saqqara area. This popular worship of the deified Unas lasted for almost 2,000 years. This is shown by the many scarabs (small beetle-shaped seals) with Unas's name found in Saqqara, dating from the New Kingdom (around 1550–1077 BC) until the Late Period (664–332 BC). The main place for this worship was not the pyramid itself, but the statues of the king in the valley temple. This activity might explain why Prince Khaemweset, a son of Ramesses II (1279–1213 BC), ordered restoration work on Unas's pyramid complex.

Images for kids

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  A carving showing hungry nomads from Unas's causeway at Saqqara.