Circa 2555-2532 B.C.E.
King, Dynasty 4

Pyramid Builder. The image that first comes to mind when most people think of ancient Egypt is the giant pyramids at Giza. The largest of these structures, the Great Pyramid, was built by Khufu; but his son, Khafre, contributed a matching pyramid that rivals his father's tomb. Khafre also built the Great Sphinx to guard his complex, which was built by a combination of professional artisans and drafted common laborers. Inside his temple were twenty-three statues of the pharaoh, among which is "one of the greatest works of Egyptian art" in the opinion of Richard H. Wilkinson. On Khafre's shoulders stands the falcon-god Horus, his wings spread downward as if to protect the neck of the pharaoh. Some estimates claim that there may have been nearly sixty statues of Khafre in the whole complex. The inside of his temple...