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Zoser
Other spellings: Djoser, Zhoser
(Dead 2648 BCE) King of Egypt, 2nd king of the 3rd Dynasty, ruling 2667-2648 BCE, 19 years. His official name was Netjerykhet.
Zoser succeeded his brother Sanakht to the throne. His father Khasekhemwy had been the last king of the 2nd Dynasty. He was the first ruler to only reside in Memphis, making it the political and cultural centre of Egypt in the times of the Old Kingdom.
Zoser is famous for his funerary complex at Saqqara, the 6-stepped mastaba, which also often is referred to as a step pyramid. This structure is unprecedented in the architectural history, and it appears that it represented a giant leap in building techniques. Its success was so great that its architect, Imhotep, came to be deified.
We know little of Zoser's political, military and administrative achievements. But from judged from his fabulous mortuary complex, it must be concluded that his regime was a wealthy one, that there was peace and stability in the kingdom through large parts of his reign, and that he had a well-working administration around him. How much of this was the result of his politics, or his predecessors cannot be clearly answered. But we can once again assume with great certainty, that he managed to keep stability, hence he was a fit ruler.
He was preceded by Sanakhte, possibly his brother, and suceeded by Sekhemkhet.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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