Userkaf

Userkaf was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the Fifth Dynasty. He is believed to have reigned from approximately 2494 to 2487 BC. His parentage is not definitively known, but he is generally considered to be the son of the powerful Queen Khentkaus I, and possibly a priest named Ptahshepses. Userkaf's reign marks the beginning of a new era in Egyptian solar worship, with a significant emphasis on the cult of the sun god Ra.

He is best known for constructing the Sun Temple of Abusir, dedicated to Ra. This temple was a departure from the pyramid complexes of previous dynasties, highlighting a shift in royal religious focus. Userkaf's pyramid, located at Saqqara, is relatively small compared to those of the Fourth Dynasty, suggesting a change in the scale of royal building projects or a re-prioritization of resources. While his reign was short, Userkaf laid the groundwork for the solar cult that would become increasingly important throughout the Fifth Dynasty. His legacy is primarily tied to his religious reforms and the construction of the Sun Temple, which influenced subsequent royal mortuary practices and religious ideology.