Pyramids of Giza

Pyramids

2592 BCE

Pyramids were each built to house the mummified remains and gifts for the afterlife of several powerful and influential rulers. Pyramids were built from the Old Kingdom all the way up until the end of the Middle Kingdom for religious purposes. Egyptians believed in an afterlife; the soul living on even after the body dies. A Pharaoh would commission a pyramid build as his tomb and have it filled with necessities (food, possessions, jewels, ect.)

Pyramids of Giza

2589 BCE

The Giza pyramid complex is an archaeological site that houses the three largest and best-preserved pyramids in Egypt built at the beginning of the Old Kingdom. These pyramids have withstood the test of time and are apart of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World! The pyramids were built for Pharaoh Menkaure, Pharaoh Khafre and Pharaoh Khufu.

Pharaoh Khufu

2589 BCE

Pharaoh Khufu

Pharaoh Khufu

Period: 2589 BCE to 2566 BCE

The oldest and first Pharaoh to commission a pyramid. He is named after the earth deity Khum. Not much else is known about this first Pharao. that would be the tallest building for centuries starts his ruling in Egypt. His pyramid is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the World and it is also the only one that is still intact today.

The Great Pyramid (Pyramid of Khufu)

Period: 2580 BCE to 2560 BCE

The oldest and largest of the three pyramids. Construction took anywhere between 10-20 years. It is the oldest of the 7 wonders of the world and the only one still intact. This is believed to be the tallest man-made structure for more than 3,800 years! About 2.3 million individual blocks were cut, shaped and moved to the site from nearby quarries. Thousands of workers spent everyday, for years, building the pyramid.

Pharaoh Khafre

Period: 2575 BCE to 2532 BCE

Son of Khufu, he took over for his father in 2558 BC. Khafra commissioned the second largest pyramid in the pyramids of Giza. He ruled in the 4th dynasty of the Old Kingdom. It has been historically agreed that the head on the Great Sphinx is modeled after him. He either commissioned the Great Sphinx or someone built it in his honor. He was allegedly a cruel ruler. As with his father, there is not much known about him, nor his reign.

The Great Pyramid (Pyramid of Khufu)

2560 BCE

Pharaoh Khafre

2558 BCE

Pharaoh Khafre takes over

Pharaoh Menkaure

2532 BCE

Pharaoh Menkaure begins reign

Pyramid of Khafre

2530 BCE

Being the second tallest pyramid the original height for the pyramid was 471 ft, coming just 10 feet shy of matching Khufu's pyramid, Due to erosion, it now stands at 448 ft. Khafre was obsessed with having a better pyramid than his father. He built his on higher ground just so that he would have to work less. Khafre’s Pyramid was more complex also than his fathers it included more chambers and tunnels. It is speculated that the Sphinx is like a guardian to the pyramid.

Pharaoh Menkaure

Period: 2530 BCE to 2500 BCE

Son of Kahfre and grandson of Khufu. Not much is known about him since there is no proven date of birth for him. He is known for having his statue triads, which show him with his two wives. It is said he alleviated some of the pain and suffering from his fathers reign as pharaoh. Historians have estimates that he ruled anywhere from 8 to over 60 years. He was the last Pharaoh to build his pyramid.

Pyramid of Menkaure

2490 BCE

Considerably smaller than the first two. Built by Pharaoh Menkaure around 2490 BC and finished around 2510 BC. It was the last major pyramid built for this site. The pyramid first stood at 215 ft tall and is now at 204 ft. Historians are not sure why the final pyramid was fraction of the size of those around it. Although smaller, the inside of the pyramid was much more complex