Khafre

Khafre was an Old Kingdom pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty who ruled Egypt from Memphis. He reigned about 2558 to 2532 BC, with modern estimates uncertain by about two decades. He was a son of Khufu and took power after the reign of Djedefre. Khafre continued the ambitious building traditions of his family by commissioning the second-largest pyramid on the Giza plateau. Although slightly lower in absolute height than the Great Pyramid of Khufu, Khafre's monument occupies higher ground, which often makes it appear taller. Its apex still retains a distinctive casing of polished limestone.

Khafre's funerary complex remains one of the best-preserved royal architectural sites of the Old Kingdom. His Valley Temple was built using massive limestone core blocks faced inside with polished red granite and paved with alabaster. Adjacent to this temple sits the Great Sphinx, a colossal limestone statue widely linked to Khafre's funerary programme. Khafre was married to several royal women, including Khamerernebty I and Meresankh III, and he fathered Menkaure, who would eventually inherit the throne.

Scholars know Khafre through surviving architectural remains at Giza, royal inscriptions, king lists, and remarkable diorite statues recovered from his valley temple. His mummy has never been identified, and internal chambers of his pyramid were empty of royal remains when explored in modern times.

Monuments

• Pyramid of Khafre at Giza
• Great Sphinx of Giza
• Valley Temple of Khafre

Explore further

Try the name on the Cartouche Desk, or see where the reign falls on the timeline.