King Menkaure is the fifth king in the line of the Fourth Dynasty in the Old Kingdom of ancient Egypt, He ascended the throne after the death of his father, Khafre
Egyptian ruler of the Fourth Dynasty
His name is also called “Menkaure” in the ancient Egyptian dialect.
Menkaure is remembered for his kindness and religiosity, unlike his father, Khafre, and grandfather, Khufu
He was particularly famous for building his tomb in the Giza Necropolis, now known internationally as the “Pyramid of Menkaure.
Menkaure is the son of Pharaoh Khafre and the grandson of the famous Pharaoh Khufu, his mother was Queen Khamernabti I
Menkaure had two wives; One of them was his sister, Queen Khamernabti II. His second wife was his half-sister, Queen Rekhe-Ra.
Menkaure had three sons and two daughters.
His second daughter died at an immature age during her father’s lifetime
His second son, Shepseskaf, became his successor to the throne
After the death of his eldest son.
Menkaure’s Pyramid is known as Menkaure Divine
The smallest pyramid among the pyramids on the Giza Plateau
Its height is 65.5 meters, and the broad base of this limestone pyramid is made of limestone
His wife, Queen Khamernebty II, was buried in any of these three pyramids
There are three statues of the Pharaoh and Queen Khamernebty II with an Egyptian goddess
There is a large stone sarcophagus made of basalt and bearing hieroglyphic inscriptions and decorations
The Valley Temple of this pyramid includes several statues of Menkaure and his wives, along with many Egyptian deities
Only the bottom quarter of the pyramid’s casing stones are made of granite.
Menkaure died before completing the construction of his pyramid.
There are three smaller pyramids used for the tombs of his queens.
The Triptych of King Menkaure is a poignant sculpture depicting King Menkaure embracing or holding the hand of Hathor
It was discovered in the Valley Temple in Giza.
It was discovered in the valley in 1908; Three of them are on display in the Egyptian Museum
Menkaure is depicted as a god standing between Hathor and the local goddess, wearing a white crown, a royal beard, and a short royal kilt known as a nedet. He also uses sticks.
It depicted him with full, round, gorgeous eyebrows, a soft nose, prominent cheekbones, and also the muscles of the chest, arms, legs, knees, and toes.
It embodies quiet ethereal elegance, raw royal power, and simultaneously demonstrates artistic mastery, illustrating the physical aspirations of the time and giving the impression of timelessness.
The three main pyramids at Giza were built during the Old Kingdom and served as burial sites
Places of worship for a number of deceased kings; The largest of them belongs to King Khufu, and the middle one belongs to his son Khafre. The youngest is his son, King Menkaure.
