Sahure
Sahure ("he who is close to Re") seems to have had a peaceful and prosperous reign. Trade flourished and the Pharaoh opened up turquoise mines in the Sinai and diorite quarries in Nubia. Sahure is also credited with the creation of the Egyptian Navy. Unfortunately, his pyramid shows the marked decline in building standards which became common for the Fifth Dynasty Kings. He is thought to have been the son of Userkaf by queen Khentkaues. She is generally thought to be the lady known as Reddjedet (or Raddjedet) in the story of Khufu and the Magicians recorded in the Westcar Papyrus, and she may have acted as regent for Sahure at the begining of his rule. Her tomb was in Giza with her predecessors.
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Although Userkaf built a Sun Temple at Abusir, Sahure was the first Pharaoh to build his Pyramid in the complex. The Pyramid has been reduced to a pile of rubble, but the mortuary temple still has a discernable shape and many reliefs are now preserved in museums.There are many scenes depicting trading missions abroad. One memorable scene shows Egyptian ships returning from Byblos in Lebanon bearing precious cedar trees. The temple also records the first known expedition to the land of Punt, rich with myrrh, malachite and electrum. There are also scenes of a raid into Libya (for livestock) and a scene showing the king smiting the local chieftains. He built a sun temple, named "Sekhet-re" ("the Field of Re") but its location is unknown. His palace, modestly named "Uetjesneferusahure" ("Sahure´s splendor soars up to heaven"), is referred to on an inscription on debris in Neferefre´s mortuary temple, and was probably located close by. It may have been located at Abusir as well. |
Monuments
