Ancient Egyptian pharaohs

The Ancient Egyptian pharaohs were rulers of the ancient Kingdom of Egypt, which existed from about 3150 BC (the beginning of the Middle Kingdom) until about 1085 BC (the fall of the First Intermediate Period), shortly thereafter emerging as one of the most powerful empires in history. The Period is divided into Dynasties by historians and archaeologists, some saying they will last around 100 years while others say they lasted 200 years.

Tutankhamun

It was the first complete Egyptian royal tomb to be found since the reign of Ramses II (1279-1213 BCE). The discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb has been described as one of the most important archaeological discoveries ever made.

It is now believed that Tutankhamun's father, Akhenaten, may have been buried in the tomb along with his wife, Nefertiti. However, no trace of them was found there.

Tutankhamun died at age 19 or 20 during an epidemic that swept through Egypt in 1323 BCE. His mummy was found sealed inside his tomb and protected from decay by a layer of plaster and quicklime that had been mixed with sawdust and gum arabic to keep it dry during its long journey down to the Valley of the Kings where it lay undisturbed for almost 3,000 years before it was rediscovered in 1922 CE by archaeologists working under the direction of Sir Ernest

Khufu

Khufu, the second pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty, is widely regarded as the greatest builder of ancient Egypt. He built the Great Pyramid of Giza and other notable monuments in Egypt. Khufu lived during the reign of Sneferu, his father.

Khufu was born in Memphis around 2513 BCE. He was the son of king Khafra and queen Hetepheres II. His mother was a daughter of a priestess named Auty, who may have been his half-sister or a cousin through another line of succession.

As a child, he was taught by two or three chief priests at Thebes, including Thutmose and Amenhotep. By age 12, Khufu had acquired the title "Great Royal Wife" (also meaning "King's Wife") from King Sneferu, but none of these titles were officially recognised until later reigns.

Sometime between 2514 BCE and 2512 BCE,[4] Khufu managed to overthrow his father and gain control over all Egypt (except for Nubia). He immediately began building temples to Amun-Re at Karnak and started work on his father's pyramid

Khafre

It was built in the 4th dynasty (2575–2467 BCE), and its design is representative of that used in later pyramids. It was probably intended as a tomb for Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops), who ordered its construction around 2570 BCE.

The pyramid was built from limestone blocks quarried from an outcropping on the plateau to the east of Giza. The blocks were dragged up a ramp, then placed in place by gangs of men using ropes and wooden rollers. The largest stones were dragged by teams of 200 men each, but most were hoisted into position by just 20 workers at a time. The base measures 230 × 230 m (755 × 755 ft) and stands 65 m (213 ft) high; its slope is approximately 51°30' by 2°30'.

The four sides of Khafre's pyramid are covered with smooth casing stones that have been trimmed to fit tightly into joints on each side of the structure. These casing stones have been identified

Menkaure

Menkaure is the oldest king of the 4th Dynasty and the last king of the Old Kingdom. He was the son of Khafra and the father of Khufu, who built the Great Pyramid at Giza. Menkaure's pyramid complex consisted of a small mastaba that was built on a hill and included two queens' pyramids, one with two queens' pyramids and several other mastabas.

Menkaure was married to Khamerernebty II, who may have been his sister or daughter. Menkaure had several children with her: Khufu, Nebka, Duaenre, Neferneferuaten Tasherit, Neferneferure and Userkare. Both Userkare and Neferneferure were buried in a complex called KV55 in Abusir; their tombs are now lost. Only Userkare's tomb survived into modern times: it has been excavated by Leonard Lewis in 1929 -- 1930 (see below).