ed to Re, one of which, that of Neuserre at Abusir, has
been thoroughly explored. The marvellous tales of the Westcar Papyrus,
dating from the Middle Kingdom, narrate how three of the kings were born
of a priestess of Re. The pyramids of several of the kings are known.
The early ones are at Abusir, and the best preserved of the pyramid
temples, that of Sahure, excavated by the German Orient-Gesellschaft, in
its architecture and sculptured scenes has revealed an astonishingly
complete development of art and architecture as well as of warlike
enterprise by sea and land at this remote period; the latest pyramid
belonging to the Vth Dynasty, that of Unas at Sakkara, is inscribed with
long ritual and magical texts. Exquisitely sculptured tombs of this time
are very numerous at Memphis and are found throughout Upper Egypt. Of
work in the traditional temples of the country no trace remains,
probably because, being in limestone, it has all perished. The annals of
the Palermo stone were engraved and added to during this dynasty; the
chief events recorded for the time are gifts and endowments for the
temples. Evidently priestly influence was strong at the court.
Expeditions to Sinai and Puoni (Punt) are commemorated on tablets.

The VIth Dynasty if not more vigorous was more articulate; inscribed
tombs are spread throughout the country. The most active of its kings
was the third, named Pepi or Phiops, from whose pyramid at Sakkara the
capital, hitherto known as "White Walls," derived its later name of
Memphis (MN-NFR, Mempi); a tombstone from Abydos celebrates the activity
of a certain Una during the reigns of Pepi and his successor in
organizing expeditions to the Sinai peninsula and south Palestine, and
in transporting granite from Elephantine and other quarries. Herkhuf,
prince of Elephantine and an enterprising leader of caravans to the
south countries both in Nubia and the Libyan oases, flourished under
Merenre and Pepi II. called Neferkere. On one occasion he brought home a
dwarf dancer from the Sudan, described as being like one brought from
Puoni in the time of the fifth-dynasty king Assa; this drew from the
youthful Pepi II. an enthusiastic letter which was engraved in full upon
the facade of Herkhuf's tomb. The reign of the last-named king, begun
early, lasted over ninety years, a fact so long remembered that even
Manetho attributes to him ninety-four years; its length probably caused
the ruin of the dynasty. The local p