Snefru
Snefru was the founder of the Fourth Dynasty during ancient Egypt's Old Kingdom and the son of Huni, the last ruler of the Third Dynasty. To solidify his authority, he married his half-sister Hetepheres, which was a common practice among pharaohs to maintain royal lineage. Known primarily for his architectural innovations, Snefru is credited with the construction of several significant pyramids, including the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid at Dahshur. The Bent Pyramid is distinctive for its unique slope transition, while the Red Pyramid is recognized as the first true pyramid built in Egypt. Snefru's contributions to pyramid construction make him notable for having the most pyramids attributed to him, totaling four when including those he completed for his father. His reign marked a period of stability and architectural advancement, significantly influencing the evolution of pyramid design and the funerary practices of the time.
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Snefru
Related civilization: Pharaonic Egypt
Major role/position: King (r. c. 2649-c. 2609 b.c.e.)
Life
Founder of the Fourth Dynasty of ancient Egypt's Old Kingdom, Snefru (SNEHF-rew) was the son (by a minor wife) of Huni, the last king of the Third Dynasty. He apparently consolidated his control of Egypt by marrying his half-sister Hetepheres, who was Huni’s daughter by a senior queen.
Snefru is best known for his architectural activities. In addition to completing the funerary temple and pyramid of his father at Meidum, he built two pyramids of his own at Dahshur. The earlier of these two was the Bent Pyramid, so called because the slope of the walls changes from being very steep to much gentler for the upper courses. The reason for the change is unknown. He was apparently buried in the Red Pyramid, the first in a true pyramidal form. He also seems to have had a small provincial pyramid at Seila, near the Fayum. This makes Snefru the king with the most pyramids, with three of his own and credit for finishing a fourth in honor of his father. If all four are put together, the total volume of stone in these four monuments exceeds that in the pyramid construction of any other Egyptian king.
Influence
Patriarch of the Fourth Dynasty, Snefru consolidated power for his family, resulting in one of the most stable and architecturally productive periods of Egyptian history. During his reign, the funerary pyramid reached its final shape.
Bibliography
Clayton, Peter A. Chronicle of the Pharaohs. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1994.
Lehner, Mark. The Complete Pyramids. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1997.