Menkaure

Menkaure ruled during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom, with conventional reign dates spanning approximately 2532 to 2503 BC; these dates remain uncertain by roughly twenty years. He was the son of Khafre and Queen Khamerernebty I. Inheriting a kingdom with vast administrative resources, Menkaure governed from the ancient capital of Memphis and was succeeded by his son Shepseskaf.

Menkaure chose the Giza plateau for his final resting place, constructing the third pyramid of the famous group. Although smaller in scale than the monuments built by his father and grandfather, Menkaure's pyramid was finished with high-quality materials. Its lower tiers were cased in hard red granite rather than white limestone, creating a striking visual contrast. Inside, his mortuary temple and valley temple featured refined craftsmanship, including an extensive suite of sculpted stone monuments.

Scholars know Menkaure from royal king lists, tomb inscriptions of his officials, and a famous collection of greywacke statues. These triad statues depict Menkaure alongside the goddess Hathor and various provincial deities. Although a basalt sarcophagus attributed to him was lost at sea during transit to Britain in the nineteenth century, skeletal remains found inside his burial chamber continue to be studied by specialists.

Monuments

• Pyramid of Menkaure at Giza
• Menkaure Triad Statues

Explore further

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