23rd century BCE – 22nd century BCE
Egypt
Pepi II was the last major ruler of Egypt's Sixth Dynasty and is presented as a child king who acceded to the throne at the age of six. He ruled for ninety-four years, dying in his hundredth year. His reign began under the regency of his mother and uncle, witnessed Egyptian activity in Nubia, and ended amid political confusion and the increasing autonomy of provincial nomarchs.
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The Story
Pepi II came to the throne at the age of six after the death of his brother Merenre. During his minority, the government was administered by his mother and her brother. The length of his reign gave him an exceptional place in Egyptian history: he ruled for ninety-four years and died in his hundredth year.
Early in his reign, the nomarch Herkhuf returned from a journey through Nubia after reaching the province of Yam. He brought back valuable objects and a dancing Pygmy as a gift for the young king. Pepi responded enthusiastically in a letter, instructing Herkhuf to take every precaution so that the Pygmy would arrive safely at Memphis.
Pepi II's reign ended in political confusion. The authority of the monarchy had been weakened by the growing power of Upper Egyptian nomarchs, who established tombs in their own districts rather than near the royal pyramid. Decentralization accelerated, royal resources diminished, and the instability following his death led directly to the end of the Old Kingdom and the First Intermediate Period.
23rd century BCE – 22nd century BCE
Egypt
Pepi II was the last major ruler of Egypt's Sixth Dynasty and is presented as a child king who acceded to the throne at the age of six. He ruled for ninety-four years, dying in his hundredth year. His reign began under the regency of his mother and uncle, witnessed Egyptian activity in Nubia, and ended amid political confusion and the increasing autonomy of provincial nomarchs.
Continue exploring
The Story
Pepi II came to the throne at the age of six after the death of his brother Merenre. During his minority, the government was administered by his mother and her brother. The length of his reign gave him an exceptional place in Egyptian history: he ruled for ninety-four years and died in his hundredth year.
Early in his reign, the nomarch Herkhuf returned from a journey through Nubia after reaching the province of Yam. He brought back valuable objects and a dancing Pygmy as a gift for the young king. Pepi responded enthusiastically in a letter, instructing Herkhuf to take every precaution so that the Pygmy would arrive safely at Memphis.
Pepi II's reign ended in political confusion. The authority of the monarchy had been weakened by the growing power of Upper Egyptian nomarchs, who established tombs in their own districts rather than near the royal pyramid. Decentralization accelerated, royal resources diminished, and the instability following his death led directly to the end of the Old Kingdom and the First Intermediate Period.
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