The Old Kingdom extended across the Third to the Sixth Dynasties (2686–2181 BCE), during which the power of the state grew significantly. King Djoser, the first ruler of the Third Dynasty, built his Step Pyramid in Saqqara.
Initially, he intended to construct a mastaba-style tomb similar to those of his predecessors from the First and Second Dynasties. However, the design evolved into a series of five stacked mastabas, forming the first stepped stone pyramid in the country’s history.
His successors, however, were unable to complete their pyramids, possibly due to their short reigns.
Little is known about King Huni, the first ruler of the Fourth Dynasty. However, the second king of this dynasty, Sneferu (2613–2589 BCE), was powerful and innovative, constructing three pyramids.
The first, at Meidum, started as a step pyramid but was later transformed into a complete pyramid. The second, built at Dahshur, is known as the Bent Pyramid, as it was the first attempt at a true pyramid, though its construction was not fully successful.
The third, the Red Pyramid at Dahshur, was the first fully completed true pyramid in Egypt, paving the way for future pyramid constructions.
This architectural achievement was perfected during the reign of Sneferu’s successor, King Khufu (c. 2589–2566 BCE), who built the Great Pyramid and its complex.
The Great Pyramid, originally standing at 146.5 meters, remained the tallest man-made structure in the world for 3,800 years. Khufu’s son and successor, Djedefre (c. 2566–2558 BCE), did not complete his pyramid at Abu Rawash.
He was succeeded by Khafre (c. 2555–2532 BCE), who commissioned the Great Sphinx and built a pyramid nearly the size of his father’s. His associated temple structures were larger and more elaborate than those of his predecessors.
The pyramid of Menkaure (2532–2503 BCE), son of Khafre, marks the beginning of a decline in royal power.
This trend became more apparent during the Fifth (c. 2449–2487 BCE) and Sixth (c. 2345–2181 BCE) Dynasties. The last ruler of the Fifth Dynasty, Unas, inscribed texts inside his pyramid at Saqqara, known as the Pyramid Texts.
These inscriptions were a precursor to the famous series of texts later called the Book of the Dead. Their purpose was to assist the king in successfully reaching the afterlife and transforming into a deity.
By the time of the Sixth Dynasty, it became evident that the king’s authority had weakened. Along with other contributing factors, by the end of the long reign of its last ruler, Pepi II (c. 2278–2184 BCE), Egypt was no longer under centralized control.
