Nyuserre Ini was an Ancient Egyptian pharaoh, the sixth ruler of the Fifth Dynasty during the Old Kingdom period. He is credited with a reign of 24 to 35 years depending on the scholar, and likely lived in the second half of the 25th century BCE. Nyuserre was the younger son of Neferirkare Kakai and queen Khentkaus II, and the brother of the short-lived king Neferefre. He may have succeeded his brother directly, as indicated by much later historical sources. Alternatively, Shepseskare may have reigned between the two as advocated by Miroslav Verner, albeit only for a few weeks or months at the most. The relation of Shepseskare with Neferefre and Nyuserre remains highly uncertain. Nyuserre was in turn succeeded by Menkauhor Kaiu, who could have been his nephew and a son of Neferefre.
Double statue portraying Nyuserre as both a young man and an old man, Museum of Egyptian Art in Munich
Neferefre, Nyuserre's elder brother, died unexpectedly in his early twenties after a short reign.
Relief of Nyuserre celebrating his Sed festival, Egyptian Museum of Berlin
Ptahshepses, vizier and son in law of Nyuserre Ini
The Fifth Dynasty of ancient Egypt is often combined with Dynasties III, IV and VI under the group title the Old Kingdom. The Fifth Dynasty pharaohs reigned for approximately 150 years, from the early 25th century BC until the mid 24th century BC.
The pyramid of Unas at Saqqara
Image: By ovedc Egyptian Museum (Cairo) 046 (cropped)
Image: Neferefre 2
Image: Niuserre Double Statue