King Huni

The "Smiter." The Last Pharaoh of the Third Dynasty.

King Huni
Last King of Dynasty III

Huni

The king who built the first provincial pyramids and secured the southern border.

𓅃 𓉔𓈖𓏭

(Hu-ni)

🕰️ Reign

c. 2613 BCE

🏆 Role

Architect

🏛️ Tomb

Meidum (disputed)

👑 Successor

Sneferu

1 A Network of Provincial Pyramids

While Huni is less famous than his successor Sneferu, he was a prolific builder. He is credited with constructing a series of **seven small step pyramids** (known as "minor step pyramids") scattered throughout the provinces of Egypt, from the Delta to Elephantine.

Why build small pyramids? These were not tombs. They were likely "cult pyramids" or markers of royal power, serving as administrative centers and places for the king's worship in remote areas. Notable locations include Edfu-South, Elephantine, Sinki (Abydos), and Naqada.

2 The Fortress of Elephantine

Huni recognized the strategic importance of the southern border. He built a massive fortress on the island of Elephantine (modern Aswan) to secure Egypt against Nubian incursions and to control the trade of gold and exotic goods flowing from the south.

3 The Meidum Pyramid Mystery

The Pyramid of Meidum is an architectural enigma. It began as a step pyramid and was later converted into the first "true" smooth-sided pyramid.

Huni or Sneferu? For decades, Egyptologists believed Huni built the core step pyramid and Sneferu finished it. However, recent graffiti evidence suggests Sneferu might be responsible for the entire structure. If Huni did start it, he died before its completion, leaving his son to finish the job.

4 Family and Succession

Huni's wife was likely Queen Meresankh I. While he had no surviving son to inherit the throne directly, his daughter, Hetepheres I, married Sneferu (who may have been Huni's stepson or son by a lesser wife). This marriage secured the royal bloodline and launched the glorious Fourth Dynasty.

5 Wisdom Literature: The Instruction of Kagemni

Huni is mentioned in the famous literary work "The Instruction of Kagemni." The text describes him as a king who died in peace after a long and prosperous reign, passing the torch to the "beneficent king" Sneferu. This portrays Huni as a wise and stable ruler who left the country in excellent condition.

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