The pyramids of Giza consists of some of the best known Egyptian
antiquities. They are also the most accessible, being within a short
distance of Cairo. The pryamids of Giza (and the Sphinx) are located
just west of the city of Giza, which itself is essentially now a suburb
of Cairo. The major pyramids of Giza include the Great Pyramid of Cheops
(also known as Khufu), the Pyramid of Chephren (Khafre) and the Pyramid
of Mycerinus (Menkaure). In this area there are also some less spectacular
appearing pyramids -
the pyramids of the Queens, which are less than 10 meters tall. There
are also many mastabas - or burial tombs scattered about this area. Of course,
the famous Sphinx is also here.
The sphinx has it. Charisma. More than any other
single object it is the image that represents ancient egypt. It's ironic that,
unlike the pyramids that surround it, the sphinx is carved from the limestone
bedrock
of the area - softer and less enduring than the granite hauled hundreds of
kilometers to build the pyramids.
It's thought that the sphinx, with it's body of a lion, had Khafre's head.
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Khafre (also known as Chephron) was not only responsible for the Sphinx, but
one heck of a lot of statues. By the way, that's Khafre's Pyramid behind the
Sphinx.
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Khafre was one of the most prolific builders of the ancient egyptians. He
ruled from 2520 to 2494 BC.
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