Snefru

2635 BC - 2589 BC

Pharoah Snefru, Sneferu, Snofru, or Nebmaat was the first Pharaoh of Egypt's 4th Dynasty. He reigned from 2613 BC to 2589 BC

He was considered a benign ruler who ruled for 24 years and is credited as the original developer of pyramids as we now know them.  
 
He began the build of the step pyramid at Maidum, which was later converted into a true pyramid although this met with disaster because of its size and position on a steep slope. He then went on to build the Red and Bent Pyramids at Dashur, the third and fourth largest pyramids to have been built in Egypt.
 
He also built a number of smaller pyramids at Seila as well as others across the country and as such is recognised as the most renowned of all pyramid builders of the Old Kingdom.

His pyramids incorporated evolving religious beliefs, particularly of sun worship. The orientation of the main axis of these was east to west, rather that north to south which was common in earlier pyramids.

It is believed that his remains were interred in the Red Pyramid.  

 

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