Dynasty five marks a time of increased wealth and trade, but the Nomarchs continued to press hard on the pharaohs/government. The pre-fix Re was added to most of the pharaohs with the exception of Userkaf, which shows that the pharaohs were struggling to keep everyone under control. .
Several of the southern towns in Egypt were seeking independence due to the local administrators taking over since the government was at a loss of wealth. "Following the end of the ninety-four year reign of Pepi II the kingdom began to decline rapidly." .
In the seventh and eighth dynasties things were going wrong, and serious problems were coming up. After Pepi II the title of pharaoh was in constant jeopardy, having twenty-four kings in a very short amount of time. Pyramids and other tombs were no longer being built, and what was not finished was left to waste. Upper Egypt was beginning to lose control of the empire. Order was almost non-existent. .
In 2180 BC a noble family from Herakleopolis took over the government, and Memphis was out of the picture. This family virtually controlled all of Egypt, but in reality they only controlled everything except Upper Egypt. .
Forty years later Thebes took control of the lower seven towns and made a kingdom themselves. This was a great rebellion and proceeded to take back control of Egypt. This feat was accomplished by Nebhepetre-Mentuhotep of Thebes rose up and took control of all of Egypt. From this point on until the 30th dynasty the rule of Egypt was constantly changing, and Egypt was conquered several times. The wealth and leadership of the first five dynasties was never again matched. .
The first pyramid built was for Djoser, this was a feat never attempted before. Basic layout was like steps, thus the name step pyramid. Imhotep whom wanted Djoser to have an "Eternal Home" monitored this project. When Djoser died the pyramid was not yet finished, and his predecessors were more interested in their own pyramids.
