Berkley, E.: The pharaohs and their people: scenes of old Egyptian life and history (New York, [1883])

16 EARLY KINGS.

it was covered with groups of pyramids and
tombs. In the centre of the most ancient of
these stands the pyramid of Sakkara, known as
the ' stepped pyramid,' or ' pyramid of degrees,'
which is considered as the burial-place of Ata,
fourth King of Egypt. In that case, it is the
oldest known sepulchre in the world. It is of
grand and rugged aspect, about 200 feet in
height, and flattened at the summit. The
exterior is formed of six rough gigantic steps
composed of stones, and nine or ten feet in
thickness.

The forms of King Mena and his successors
may well appear dreamlike in the dim light by
which we discern them ; but we seem to per-
ceive that Mena was, at any rate, the first who
wore the ' double crown,' which bespoke sove-
reignty over the whole land; the white upper
crown representing dominion over Upper, the
red lower one dominion over Lower Egypt.
His successors were strong enough to repel
invaders, to maintain intact the power they
inherited, and thus to transmit to following
dynasties the double crown they had received
from Mena, the ' Firm' or ' Constant.'