Pepi II, son of Pepi I and Queen Ankhesenpepi II, was the fifth and last pharaoh of the Sixth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom of Egypt. He is best known for the exceptional length of his reign, which is said to have lasted between 64 and 94 years, making him the longest reigning ruler in Egyptian history.
An exceptionally long reign
Pepi II ascended the throne at a very young age, perhaps around the age of six, after the death of his older brother, Merenre I. His longevity and the length of his reign have given rise to much debate among Egyptologists. Some sources refer to a reign of 64 years, while others estimate that he would have reigned for up to 94 years.
Stability and prosperity at the beginning of the reign
During the first years of his reign, Pepi II benefited from the stability and prosperity inherited from his predecessors. He continued the policies of his predecessors by maintaining trade relations with neighboring countries and supervising mining and construction activities.
The decline of the Old Kingdom
However, the length of Pepi II's reign also coincided with the gradual decline of Egypt's Old Kingdom. Factors that have contributed to this decline include economic hardship, rivalries among royals, the rise of local governors, and climate change that has led to droughts and famines.
Architectural Contributions
Despite the decline of the Old Kingdom during his reign, Pepi II left an architectural legacy. His funerary complex at Saqqara includes a now ruined pyramid, a funerary temple and tombs for members of the royal family. The inscriptions on the walls of the funerary temple give valuable information about the life and beliefs of the time.
📋 LIST OF EGYPTIAN SOVEREIGNS 📋
Hotepsekhemwey / Sneferka / Nebra / ninetjer / Senedj / Noubnefer / Horus Ba / Peribsen / Sekhemib / Khasekhemwy / Neferkasokar / | |||
Djoser / Sanakht / Sekhemkhet / Spoon / Huni | |||
Sekhemre-Khutaouy Amenemhat-/Sobekhotep I/Sekhemkare Amenemhat-Senbef/Sekhemkare Amenemhat V/Ameny-Qemaou/Hotepibre Qémaou-Sa-Hornejhéritef/Ioufeni/Séânkhibrê Amény-Antef-Amenemhat (or Amenemhat VI)/Semenkarê Nebnoun/Sehotepibrê Sousekhtaouy | |||
Sekhaenre Yakbim/Nebuuserre Yaammou/Khauserre Qareh | |||
Semqen/Aper-Anat/Sakir-Har/Khyan/Apophis I/Apophis II?/Khamoudy | |||
/Sekhemre-Sementaouy Djehouty/Sekhemre-Sousertaouy Sobekhotep VIII | |||
Twenty-first dynasty | |||
Twenty-second dynasty | |||
Twenty-third dynasty | |||
Twenty-fourth dynasty | |||
1st Persian Dynasty | |||
Thirty-first dynasty (Achaemenid) | 2nd Persian Dynasty | ||