Pepi II

Pepi II (d. 2152 B.C.E.) Fourth ruler of the Sixth Dynasty,
Egypt’s longest ruling pharaoh
He reigned from 2246 B.C.E. until his death and was the
son of PEPI I and ANKHNESMERY-RÉ (2). Pepi II was only
six years old when he inherited the throne from his
brother Merenré. His mother served as his regent during
his minority, and his uncle, the vizier Djau, maintained a
stable government.
Pepi II married NEITH (2), IPUT (2), WEDJEBTEN, and
probably ANKHNES-PEPI. During his 94 year reign, the
longest rule ever recorded in Egypt, Pepi II centralized
the government. He sent trading expeditions to NUBIA
and PUNT and he had a vast naval fleet at his disposal as
he established trade routes.

While still a child, Pepi II received word from one of
his officials, a man named HARKHUF, that a DWARF had
been captured and was being brought back to MEMPHIS.
Pepi II 299
He dispatched detailed instructions on the care of the
small creature, promising a reward to his official if the
dwarf arrived safe and healthy. Pepi II also notified the
various governors of the cities en route to offer all possible
assistance to Harkhuf on his journey. The letter
stresses the importance of 24 hour care, lest the dwarf be
drowned or injured.
Pepi I’s pyramidal complex in southern SAQQARA
has a large PYRAMID and three smaller ones. A MORTUARY
TEMPLE, a causeway, and a VALLEY TEMPLE are also part of
the complex design. The valley temple has rectangular
columns, decorated and covered with carved limestone.
The causeway, partially destroyed, has two granite doorways.
The mortuary temple has passages and a vestibule.
A central court has an 18-pillar colonnade, and the
sanctuary is reached through a narrow antechamber that
is decorated with scenes of sacrifices. A wall surrounds
the complex that is dominated by the pyramid called
“Pepi Is Established and Alive.” Constructed out of
limestone blocks, the pyramid has an entrance at
ground level on the north side. A small offering chapel
leads to a rock-cut burial chapel and a star-decorated
vestibule with PYRAMID TEXT reliefs. The extensive mortuary
complex drained Egypt’s treasury and set in
motion a series of weaknesses that brought the Old
Kingdom to an end.

Source :Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt