Egypt: Rulers, Kings and Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt: Netjerykhet

Netjerykhet

(Djoser)
2630-2611 B.C.
3rd Dynasty

The second king of the 3rd Dynasty was Netjerykhet, the son of Khasekhemwy. Also known as Djoser, he ruled for almost two decades and is accredited with building the Step Pyramid at Saqqara. The king's vizier, Imhotep, was the architect of that great tomb, and of the magnificent Funerary Complex of Djoser at Saqqara. Egypt experienced a seven year famine during Djoser's reign, so he sought the counsel of Imhotep and one of his governors, Medir, and agreed to travel to Elephantine at Aswan. Once there he erected a temple to the god Khnum, who was said to controlled the flow of the Nile. The famine ended, miraculously enough, and people believed it was due to this act of faith.