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Essentially, the entire complex was dedicated to the divinity of the kingship god Horus and Osiris, god of the dead, who were merged with the sun-god in the pyramid. Besides the religious significance, pyramid complexes became economic, and population focal points of the community: merchants and artisans all were drawn to them for various professional reasons. <ref> Lehner, p. 9</ref>
====The Pyramid Age====[[File: Giza Pyramids Camels.jpg|300px|thumbnail|rightleft|The Pyramids of Giza: From Left to Right – Khufu, Khafra, and Menkaura]]Although Djoser’s pyramid represented a major step forward in the evolution of pyramids in terms of regarding structure, style, and purpose, it would not be until the Fourth Dynasty when the first attempts at a “true” pyramid were made. King Snefru (reigned ca. 2613-2589 BC) started the Pyramid Age by building three pyramids: one near Meidum and two near Dashur. The Meidum Medium pyramid was originally intended to be a step pyramid early in the king’s rule, but later in his life , he had it filled in, making it a true pyramid, albeit one with extremely steep angles. <ref> Lehner, p. 99</ref>
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Snefru’s long reign allowed him the luxury to build three potential tombs and to choose which one best suited his mummy. The second pyramid Snefru had built was the Bent Pyramid, located near the village of Dashur. The pyramid is noticeable for its extreme angles near the top: the bottom of the pyramid has a 52-53 degree angle, while the top is 43 to 44 degrees. Modern scholars believe that the extreme difference in angles may have been the result of structural problems, but it is impossible to say for sure. <ref> Lehner, p. 102</ref>
The final pyramid Snefru constructed was the North or Red Pyramid, so named for its reddish color. The king began the pyramid in his thirtieth year of rule, but it remains unknown if that was he the final resting place. The Red Pyramid is considered the first true pyramid that survived unblemished and therefore provided the template for the later Giza Pyramids. <ref> Lehner, p. 104</ref>
===The Giza Pyramids===
