Khafra in Wikipedia
Khafra (Greek, Χεφρήν; Chephren) - also Khafre - was an Egyptian
pharaoh of the Fourth dynasty, who had his capital at Memphis.
According to some authors he was the son and successor of Khufu, but it
is more commonly accepted that Djedefre was Khufu's successor and
Khafra was Djedefre's. Khafra's two chief wives were Queen Meresankh
III whose mastaba tomb is located at Giza and Queen Khamaerernebty I
who was the mother of his successor, Menkaura. Khafre was the builder
of the second largest pyramid in the Giza Necropolis complex (his is 3
metres shorter than Khufu's). Most modern egyptologists also credit him
with the building of the Great Sphinx.
Family
Khafre was a son of king Khufu and the brother and successor of
Djedefre.[4] Khafre is thought by some to be the son of Queen Meritites
I due to an inscription where he is said to honor her memory
Kings-wife, his beloved, devoted to Horus, Mertitytes.
King's-wife, his beloved, Mertitytes; beloved of the Favorite of
the Two Goddesses; she who says anything whatsoever and it is done
for her. Great in the favor of Snefr[u] ; great in the favor
of Khuf[u] , devoted to Horus, honored under Khafre.
Merti[tyt]es.[Breasted; Ancient Records]
Others argue that the inscription just suggests that this queen died
during the reign of Khafre.[5] Khafre may be a son of Queen Henutsen
instead. [6]
Khafre had several wives and he has at least 12 sons and 3 or 4
daughters.
Queen Meresankh III was the daughter of Kawab and Hetepheres II and
thus a niece of Khafre. She was the mother of Khafre's sons Nebemakhet,
Duaenre, Niuserre and Khenterka, and a daughter named Shepsetkau.
Queen Khamerernebty I was the mother of Menkaure and his principal
queen Khamerernebty II.
Hekenuhedjet was a wife of Khafre. She is mentioned in the tomb of her
son Sekhemkare.
Persenet may have been a wife of Khafre based on the location of her
tomb. She was the mother of Nikaure. [4]
Other children of Khafre are known, but no mothers have been
identified. Further sons include Ankhmare, Akhre, Iunmin, and Iunre.
Two more daughters named Rekhetre and Hemetre are known as well.[4]
Reign
There is no agreement on the date of his reign. Some authors say it was
between 2558 BC and 2532 BC; this dynasty is commonly dated ca. 2650
BC–2480 BC. While the Turin King List length for his reign is blank,
and Manetho's exaggerates his reign as 66 years, most scholars believe
it was between 24 to 26 years, based upon the date of the Will of
Prince Nekure which was carved on the walls of this Prince's mastaba
tomb. The will is dated anonymously to the Year of the 12th Count and
is assumed to belong to Khufu since Nekure was his son. Khafra's
highest year date is the "Year of the 13th occurrence" which is a
painted date on the back of a casing stone belonging to mastaba G
7650.[7] This would imply a reign of 24–25 years for this king if the
cattle count was biannual during the Fourth Dynasty.
Pyramid complex
Main article: Pyramid of Khafre
Khafra built the second largest pyramid at Giza. [8] The Egyptian name
of the pyramid was Wer(en)-Khafre which means "Khafre is Great".[9]
The pyramid has a subsidiary pyramid, labeled GII a. It is not clear
who was buried there. Sealings have been found of a King's eldest son
of his body etc and the Horus name of Khafre. [9]
Valley Temple
The valley temple of Khafre was located closer to the Nile and would
have stood right next to the Sphinx temple. Inscriptions from the
entrance way have been found which mention Hathor and Bubastis. Blocks
have been found showing the partial remains of an inscription with the
Horus name of Khafre (Weser-ib).Mariette discovered statues of Khafre
in 1860. Several were found in a well in the floor and were headless.
But other complete statues were found as well. [9]
Mortuary Temple
The mortuary temple was located very close to the pyramid. From the
mortuary temple come fragments of maceheads inscribed with Khafre's
name as well as some stone vessels.[9]
Great Sphinx and Sphinx temple
The sphinx is said to date to the time of Khafre. A temple dedicated to
Haremakhet was erected by Khafre. It was located right in front of the
paws of the Sphinx.[9]
Read More about Khafra in Wikipedia
