This fact supports the proximity of the sphinx to Khafra's pyramid temple complex, and a certain resemblance to the facial structure seen in his statues. The Great Sphinx of Giza was probably built as a guardian of Khafra's pyramid, and as a symbol of royal power. It became defiled during the time of the New Kingdom. Manetho called Khafra “Sûphis II.” And As I said earlier, he stated that Khafra ruled for 66 years, but that’s pretty much all he said about him. His father was Khufu, who also was a cruel ruler. It is said that people of Egypt had to suffer 116 years of punishment under their rule. Khafra built his tomb in Giza, near his father’s. He married Meresankh III, who outlived him and was also buried near him. Her tomb is very beautiful. The paintings on the wall show the queen with her hair cut short, wearing the leopard-skin robes which helped show her additional priestly role. Close beside her stands her powerful mother, Queen Hetepheres II. Both these royal ladies reflect the prominent roles played by women at Khafra's …show more content…
Khafra ruled in the fourth dynasty of Egypt’s reign. He took power at the death of his older brother Djedefre, and some experts theorize that Khafre murdered his brother to take the throne. His pyramid, often called the Pyramid of Chephren or the Second Great Pyramid, is built on higher ground and so appears to be taller than his father Khufu's Great Pyramid, but it is actually about thirty feet shorter. The reason it is called the pyramid of Chephren is because another name for him is Chephren. His mother’s name was Henutsen. Unlike his father, Khafre has many writings and paintings dedicated to him, both large and