King Snefru – Builder of the First True PyramidAlthough King Snefru was the son of his predecessor King Huni, he begins a new Dynasty... this being due to him being born to one of King Huni's lesser wives and not continuing the royal family's pure lineage.He beings the 4th Dynasty at around 2613 BC and marries his half-sister, Queen Hetep-heres, who is of purer royal blood - thus cementing his grip to his kingship. He is seen here in this stele that was found inside one of his pyramids (now at the Cairo museum) wearing the Double Crown of Egypt, the mark of a true Pharoah. He also must have been one of the richest pharaohs, since he has now 3 pyramids to his name! His reign lasted for over 24 years, and constituted the building of 2 pyramids and the completion of his father's unfinished pyramid. He is sometimes credited with building all 3, but two already seems like a long-shot, especially in only 24 years! It seems then that he finished King Huni's Meidum pyramid at Dahshur, and added two of his own around the area.
He began by building the "Bent" pyramid, although it was not called that. Due to some faults (or unforeseen causes) during the construction of the pyramid, the slope had to be changed and this gave rise to the pyramid's bent shape. Click here to read more about his pyramids.
He then went on to build the first true pyramid - what is now called the "Red" pyramid. It's not certain whether these two pyramids were build consecutively or around the same time.
The King is thought to have chosen it as his tomb, with the queen's tomb nearby. These pyramids can be visited in Dahshur, a town near Cairo. The town of Meidum is also nearby. He is also known to have ventured out into Sinai and even out of Egypt to gather materials and jewels. And although the building of these pyramids is enough to give this king a lot of fame, he is made even more famous by fathering the greatest pyramid builder of all time - King Khufu, his successor. Another reason King Snefru was thought to have been very rich, leaving behind an inheritance large enough for his son to build the only ancient wonder of the world still standing!
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The Red Pyramid was the first of its kind, with its steps encased - giving its sides the smoothness of a true pyramid. The stones used gave off a reddish color, hence the name...
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