Den (Udimu)

1st Dynasty

Den was the fourth king during the 1st Dynasty. Because the king came to power in Egypt as an infant, Queen Merenith was appointed as his political advisor, which essentially meant that she ruled Egypt until he was capable of doing so himself. Den ruled Egypt for almost fifty years after Wadj. He was an energetic and athletic person, and was artistic as well. He figures in the Ebers papyrus as well as the Berlin medical Papyrus. Den was militarily actibe in the Sinai, which was justified by his interest in protecting the mineral resources of the peninsula. His mortuary complex was built in the ancient city of Abydos, but his body was buried at Saqqara.