Pepi I

Pepi I was a major ruler of the Sixth Dynasty during the Old Kingdom. He reigned from around 2321 BC to 2287 BC, though these figures are subject to an uncertainty of about 25 years. The son of King Teti and Queen Iput I, Pepi came to the throne after the short-lived reign of Userkare, ruling the country from Memphis for more than three decades.

His prolonged governance was marked by internal administrative consolidation and assertive external activity. To secure his dynasty, he married two sisters from an influential Upper Egyptian noble family, Ankhesenpepi I and Ankhesenpepi II, both of whom bore future pharaohs. Pepi sponsored temple construction across Egypt and built his own pyramid complex at South Saqqara, named Mennefer-Pepi, the origin of the name Memphis. Historians know Pepi I through extensive temple decrees, private biographical tomb inscriptions of his officials, and his surviving monuments. Two remarkable beaten copper statues depicting the king were preserved in the temple cache at Hierakonpolis. His burial chamber at South Saqqara preserves extensive Pyramid Texts, but his mummy has not survived. He was succeeded by his son Merenre Nemtyemsaf I.

Monuments

• Pyramid of Pepi I at South Saqqara
• Copper statues from Hierakonpolis

Explore further

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