King Khufu: Builder of the Great Pyramid
King Khufu, the son of Sneferu, is renowned for constructing one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: the Great Pyramid of Giza. His name is deeply intertwined with numerous myths and legends. The Egyptians revered him to such an extent that they elevated him to the status of a god, believing him to be a deity of the heavens. In later times, his name became a powerful amulet, often inscribed on scarabs, believed to bestow strength and protection upon its wearer. Interestingly, the Greek historian Herodotus described him as a tyrannical and greedy ruler who even resorted to sending his daughter to a brothel to fund the construction of his pyramid. However, it’s important to note this story came from priests of Ptah, a rival deity to Ra whom Khufu favored. Given that these priests related this tale to Herodotus centuries after Khufu’s reign, their narrative may have been colored by religious resentment. One of the most famous ancient Egyptian tales associated with Khufu is the Westcar Papyrus, also known as the “Story of Khufu and the Magicians.” This narrative recounts various magical feats performed during Khufu’s reign and will be explored in greater detail in our section on ancient Egyptian magic.
THE GREAT PYRAMID
One of the most significant figures during the reign of King Khufu was) Hem iunu(, the architect of the Great Pyramid. His famous inscription on the pyramid reads, I built the pyramid in twenty years; to destroy it is easier than to build it. Let him who attempts to destroy it beware, for centuries will pass, and he will not succeed. We will delve into a detailed explanation of the Great Pyramid in the archaeology section.
STATUE OF HAM-IONO, THE ARCHITECT OF THE GREAT PYRAMID
STATUE OF PRINCE RAHOTEP AND HIS WIFE, PRINCESS NEFERT
PRINCE RAHOTEP AND HIS WIFE, PRINCESS NEFERT
Among the most beautiful statues from the reign of King Khufu is the statue of Prince Rahotep and his wife, Princess Nofret. It is housed in the Egyptian Museum and is renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship and lifelike features. Rahotep was the son of King Sneferu and a commoner, and the brother of King Khufu. His tomb was discovered near the Pyramid of Sneferu at Meidum in 1871. During the excavation of the tomb, the workers were terrified when the flames of their torches illuminated the eyes of the statues, which were inlaid with colorful pigments. The bright reflection and the realistic expressions on the faces made the workers feel as though they were in the presence of real people
HETEPHERES QUEEN OF CHAIR
HEAD OF A STATUE OF QUEEN HETEPHERES, WIFE OF KING SNEFERU,FOUNDER OF THE FOURTH DYNASTY (Mother of King KHUFU)
Hetepheres was one of the most prominent queens of Ancient Egypt, serving as a model of the Egyptian woman as mother and wife. She lived during the Fourth Dynasty, being the daughter of King Huni, the last pharaoh of the Third Dynasty, and the wife of King Sneferu, founder of the Fourth Dynasty. Notably, she was also the mother of King Khufu. Queen Hetepheres is renowned for her exquisite funerary furnishings, currently on display at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Her tomb was discovered by the American archaeologist George Reisner in 1926, located east of the Great Pyramid. Visitors to the museum are invariably impressed by the chamber containing the queen’s burial goods. Among these treasures are a bed and a chair made of wood and inlaid with gold leaf, an alabaster sarcophagus (found empty), alabaster canopic jars, and a litter bearing the title “Mother of the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Daughter of Horus, Daughter of the God.” Additionally, various personal belongings of the queen, crafted from precious stones, have been unearthed.
