Ancient Egyptians Called Pyramids "Mer," Not Pyramids, and Each Had a Unique Name
The word "pyramid" has its roots in ancient Greek, attributed to Herodotus around the 5th century BC, likely influenced by Hecataeus of Miletus. Prior to Herodotus, the Egyptian Rhind Mathematical Papyrus referred to a pyramid's height as "pr-m-ws." The ancient Egyptians called pyramids "Mr," which translates to "to ascend." More than 100 pyramids were constructed in ancient Egypt, each bearing distinct names. The Great Pyramid at Giza, built for Khufu (who died circa 2566 BC), was known as "Akhet-Khufu." Khafre's pyramid (who died circa 2532 BC) was called "Wer-Khafre," while Menkaure's (who died circa 2503 BC) was "Netjer-Menkaure." Other significant pyramids include Djoser's Step Pyramid (circa 2670 BC) and Amenemhat III's Black Pyramid (circa 1840 BC). The Pyramid Texts describe these structures as pathways to the heavens.
Key facts
- The word "pyramid" comes from ancient Greek, not ancient Egyptian
- Greeks coined the term around the 5th century BC, when the monuments were already 2,000 years old
- The ancient Egyptian word for pyramid structures was "Mr," transliterated as "Mer," meaning "to ascend" or "to rise"
- The Rhind Mathematical Papyrus refers to a pyramid's height as "pr-m-ws," meaning "that which comes forth from the height"
- The Great Pyramid of Khufu was called "Akhet-Khufu," meaning "Horizon of Khufu"; Khufu probably died around 2566 BC
- Khafre's pyramid was "Wer-Khafre" ("Great is Khafre"); Menkaure's was "Netjer-Menkaure" ("Divine is Menkaure")
- More than 100 pyramids were constructed across ancient Egypt, each with a unique name
- Pyramid Texts describe the pyramids as ramps or ladders to the sky where the imperishable stars dwell
Entities
Artists
- Herodotus
- Hecataeus of Miletus
- Ephippus
- Khufu
- Cheops
- Khafre
- Chephren
- Menkaure
- Mycerinus
- Djoser
- Sneferu
- Djedefre
- Sahure
- Unas
- Amenemhat I
- Senusret I
- Senusret II
- Amenemhat III
- Ra
- Alexander the Great
- August Albert Zimmermann
Institutions
- Ptolemaic Dynasty
- Fourth Dynasty
- Third Dynasty
- Fifth Dynasty
- Twelfth Dynasty
- Old Kingdom
- British Museum
- Louvre
- Hermitage Museum
- Bradford Museums and Galleries
- Wikimedia Commons
- Wikipedia Commons
- Egypt Museum
- TheCollector
Locations
- Giza
- Egypt
- Cairo
- Meidum
- Dahshur
- Abydos
- Valley of the Kings
- Greece