“Drunkards of Menkauré” The name of the gang of
laborers who helped build the pyramids of MENKAURÉ
(Mycerinus, r. 2490–2472 B.C.E.) of the Fourth Dynasty
inGiza, these laborers were part of the CORVÉEsystem
employed to erect monuments of that era. “The Drunk-
ards,” their chosen name, worked in five groups, each
composed of 10 to 20 men. They were housed in barracks
on the site, alongside as many as 4,000 other laborers.
Granaries, breweries, bakeries, medical clinics, and other
supportive institutions are still evident in the ruins of
Giza. There was also a structure designed for mortuary
and embalming processes.
Duamutef Divine beings who guarded the stomachs of
the deceased as one of the Sons of Horus, they were the
patrons of CANOPIC JARSin Egyptian tombs. The stoppers
on Duamutef’s jars were shaped into the heads of
JACKALS.
Duat See TUAT.
Duauf’s Instructions Adidactic text included in the
PYRAMID TEXTSthat date to the Old Kingdom (2575–2134
B.C.E.)in ancient Egypt, the Instructionsinclude adages
about morality and the true purpose of human life. Duauf
urged his fellow Egyptians to love books and learning
and to aspire to the honorable and prosperous career of a
scribe.
dwarf Called muu, nem,or hua,in various ages, several
dwarfs in Egypt attained high positions and honors, usu-
ally marrying normal-sized mates and raising families.
They had roles in government offices and in festival rites.
Records from the reign of NIUSERRÉ(2416–2392 B.C.E.) of
the Fifth Dynasty indicate that a particular dwarf, called a
deneg, was brought to the king to dance with royal
princesses in rituals. A particularly touching incident
involving a dwarf (or pygmy) took place in the reign of
PEPI II(2246–2152 B.C.E.) of the Sixth Dynasty. Pepi II
was a child when one of his officials, a man named
HARKHUF, sent word from the cataracts that he was bring-
ing a dwarf back to MEMPHIS. The small pharaoh wrote a
letter giving explicit details about the care of the dwarf
and even alerted the governors of the cities along the way
to extend special hospitality to the dwarf and his com-
panions.
dynasties The royal houses of ancient Egypt from the
beginning of the Early Dynastic Period (2920 B.C.E.) to
the end of the Ptolemaic Period (30 B.C.E.), the rulers of
each royal line exemplified a particular era in Egyptian
history, some serving as victims of change and political
upheaval, and others leaving a profound imprint upon
the life of the land. The rulers listed below are also found
in their own entries. Each ruler is listed below with his or
her prenomen (first cartouche name) in parentheses.
See also DYNASTY HISTORIES.LATE PREDYNASTIC PERIOD C. 3000 B.C.E.
Scorpion
NarmerEARLY DYNASTIC PERIOD 2920–2575 B.C.E.
First Dynasty 2920–2770 B.C.E.
Aha (Menes)
Djer
Djet (Wadj)
Den
’Adjib (Anedjib)
Semerkhet
Qa’aSecond Dynasty 2770–2649 B.C.E.
Hotepsekhemwy
Re’neb
Ninetjer
Weneg
Peribsen
Sendji
Neterka
Neferkara
Kha’sekhemwyThird Dynasty 2649–2575 B.C.E.
Nebka (Zanakht) 2649–2630
Djoser (Netjerykhet) 2630–2611
Sekhemkhet 2611–2601
Kha’ba 2603–2599
Huni 2599–2575OLD KINGDOM PERIOD 2575–2134 B.C.E.
Fourth Dynasty 2575–2465 B.C.E.
Snefru 2575–2551
Khufu (Cheops) 2551–2528
Ra’djedef 2528–2520
Khafre (Chephren) 2520–2494
Menkauré (Mycerinus) 2490–2472
Shepseskhaf 2472–2467Fifth Dynasty 2465–2323 B.C.E.
Userkhaf 2465–2458
Sahuré 2458–2446
Kakai (Neferirkaré) 2446–2426
Shepseskaré (Ini) 2426–2419
Neferefré (Ra’neferef) 2419–2416
Niuserré (Izi) 2416–2392
Menkauhor 2396–2388
Izezi (Djedkaré) 2388–2356
Unis (Weni) 2356–2323dynasties 105