The Pharaos

Pharaohs / Dynasty 5

Neferefre

Pl. 32 · also Raneferef, Cheres

2455 BC to 2453 BC, about 2 years · Old Kingdom

Modern phonetic rendering, not a copy of an inscription

Neferefre was an Old Kingdom pharaoh of the Fifth Dynasty who reigned briefly from around 2455 to 2453 BC, with dates uncertain by about twenty-five years. He was the son of Neferirkare Kakai and Queen Khentkaus II, ascending the throne at Memphis before his untimely death cut his reign short.

His mortuary monument at Abusir had reached only its lowest courses when he died. His successors completed the structure in mudbrick as an elevated square mastaba rather than continuing the pyramid. Scholars know Neferefre through excavations at this unfinished complex, which preserved limestone statues, clay sealings, and fragmentary administrative papyri. A skeletal fragment discovered in his burial chamber is considered a possible candidate for his remains.

Monuments

  • Unfinished Pyramid of Neferefre at Abusir

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Try the name on the Cartouche Desk, or see where the reign falls on the timeline.

Dates are conventional and approximate. See method and sources.