King Chephren
A.K.A. King Khafre, was one of the most prominent rulers of the 4th dynasty in Egyptian history. King Chephren is the son of the Great Pyramid of Giza’s architect, King Khufu. During the ancient kingdom, he governed Egypt from 2558 B.C. until 2532 B.C. (2686-2150 BC). His name means “The Appearance of Ra,” and he had numerous wives, the primary one being Queen Mereceankh, as well as 12 sons and three daughters. He wanted to carry on his father’s legacy, so he built the second-biggest Pyramid in the Giza Complex. He also built the magnificent Valley Temple and the renowned Sphinx.
King Chephren’s Pyramid
Khafre built the second pyramid of the Giza complex in 2540 BC, during the 4th Dynasty. Its Egyptian name, “Wer(en)-Khafre,” means “Khafre is Great.” Builders used Tura limestone blocks, each weighing two tons, to construct the pyramid. They also used pink granite slabs for the interior. The pyramid’s foundation measures 215.5 meters (706 feet) and its height reaches 136.4 meters (448 feet).
Chephren’s Great Sphinx
The Great Sphinx stands next to the Valley Temple. It’s a legendary monster with a lion’s body and a human face. Builders erected it to protect the area and guard it from grave robbers. The Sphinx is 240 feet (73 meters) long and 66 feet (20 meters) tall. Many believe it has the face of King Khafre (Chephren) and sits on the plateau in front of the second great pyramid. The Sphinx holds many mysteries; people still ask questions about its true age, origin, and purpose.
Chephren’s Valley Temple
The Valley Temple’s blocks are made of Red Granite and remain in excellent condition. We also found large statues of King Chephren at the Valley Temple. These statues, now at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, are made of Diorite, a very difficult material to carve. Ancient Egyptians used all statues to protect the main deity. If you want to visit Egypt, the “Land of Pharaohs,” and see these ancient sites, you should look at our top Egypt tour packages and pick your favorite vacation.
