Portrait of Khufu, Naïve art, Nib Painting
– Khufu was the third pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty during the Old Kingdom period in ancient Egypt. He is often referred to as the “Great” because of his massive building projects, including the Great Pyramid of Giza, which he had constructed as his burial monument.
- Khufu’s reign is estimated to have lasted from around 2589 to 2566 BCE, and he is believed to have ruled for over two decades.
- Apart from the construction of the Great Pyramid, Khufu was also responsible for building the smaller Two Towers that still stand near it today. He also had a large estate built, including a complex of palaces and temples.
The exact methods of construction and transport used for these massive projects are still a matter of debate among Egyptologists, but it is clear that Khufu had a vast workforce at his disposal, consisting of skilled craftsmen, architects, and laborers, many of whom were likely migrant workers from other parts of Egypt.
Khufu’s vizier, Hemiunu, is believed to have been a close confidant and played a crucial role in the construction projects. It is possible that Hemiunu even served as a sort of prime minister during Khufu’s reign.
The exact cause of Khufu’s death is unknown, but it is believed that he was buried with great ceremony and his body was mummified for the afterlife, following the ancient Egyptian beliefs.
Text model: aya
Image model: JuggernautXL
