Kheops (2551-2528)
Kheops Quick Facts
ChronologyDynasty: 4th
Predecessor: Snofru
Successor: Djedefre
Highest Year: 13th Cattle Count
Reign: 2551 - 2528 BC.
Family
Father: Snofru
Mother: Hetepheres I
Wives: Henutsen (?), Meretites
Children: Djedefre, Hetepheres II, Horbaf,
Hordjedef, Kawab, Khamernebti I, Khefren,
Khufu-khaf I, Meresankh II
By far the most renowned king of the Old Kingdom is Kheops,
the builder of the great pyramid in Giza.
Kheops was the son of Snofru and Hetepheres I. He at least had two wives, probably even as much as four, with whom he had several children.
Queen Meretites is often assumed to have bore him Kawab, Hordjedef, Hetepheres II and Meresankh II.
With a queen whose name is only attested in Late Dynastic documents, Henutsen, Kheops probably had Re-khaf (the later king Khefren) and Khufu-khaf I as children.
Other children of Kheops are Re-djedef, who would succeed Kheops as Djedefre, Horbaf and Khamernebti I.
According to Manetho and Herodotos, Kheops would have ruled for 63 years. The Turin Canon, however, only notes 23 years for the successor of Snofru. Although the name of the king on this line is missing, it does apply to Kheops, being Snofru’s successor.
The highest known year reference of Kheops' reign is the year of the 13th cattle count. This means that Kheops must have ruled for at least 14 years, if the cattle counts were held every year, to 27 years, if the cattle counts were always held every two years. The mention of a year of the 17th cattle count may be based on a faulty reading.
Like his father, Kheops seems to have been intent on establishing a more or less permanent military presence in the Sinai, probably to prevent the Bedouins from interrupting the work in the turquoise mines. An inscription in Aswan demonstrates Kheops’ interest in this region as well, as it was the main quarry of the granite needed to build his pyramid. A stela found near Abu Simbel and some fragments of an alabaster object found in Byblos, indicate some commercial activity with Nubia and Palestine.
Kheops built his funerary monument away from his predecessor’s. Building activity was moved from Dashur to Giza, to the North of the capital Memphis. There he built the monument that has made him one of the most famous kings of the Ancient Egyptian history: the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Herodotos’
account of many thousands of slaves labouring for 20 years to build
this monument, is now seen as incorrect. It is now accepted that the
harder labour, such as moving and placing the granite and calcite
blocks, was done by farmers during the annual 4-month inundation of the
Nile. Recent discoveries have shown that they were housed and paid and
that they were even buried near the pyramid of the king, so that they
could be part of the king’s eternal life after death.
Herodotos, however, did not invent Kheops’ bad reputation. This had, in fact, become part of the Egyptian tradition centuries before this Greek traveller visited Egypt. The Middle Kingdom story recorded on the Westcar Papyrus, which shows Snofru as a wise and kind man, has been seen to describe Kheops as a cruel ruler, with no respect for life who would have a prisoner decapitated as part of a magical demonstration.
Biography of Kheops
Kheops is the second and, as the builder of the Great Pyramid at Giza also the most famous king of the 4th Dynasty.Kheops was the son of Snofru and Hetepheres I. He at least had two wives, probably even as much as four, with whom he had several children.
Queen Meretites is often assumed to have bore him Kawab, Hordjedef, Hetepheres II and Meresankh II.
With a queen whose name is only attested in Late Dynastic documents, Henutsen, Kheops probably had Re-khaf (the later king Khefren) and Khufu-khaf I as children.
Other children of Kheops are Re-djedef, who would succeed Kheops as Djedefre, Horbaf and Khamernebti I.
According to Manetho and Herodotos, Kheops would have ruled for 63 years. The Turin Canon, however, only notes 23 years for the successor of Snofru. Although the name of the king on this line is missing, it does apply to Kheops, being Snofru’s successor.
The highest known year reference of Kheops' reign is the year of the 13th cattle count. This means that Kheops must have ruled for at least 14 years, if the cattle counts were held every year, to 27 years, if the cattle counts were always held every two years. The mention of a year of the 17th cattle count may be based on a faulty reading.
Like his father, Kheops seems to have been intent on establishing a more or less permanent military presence in the Sinai, probably to prevent the Bedouins from interrupting the work in the turquoise mines. An inscription in Aswan demonstrates Kheops’ interest in this region as well, as it was the main quarry of the granite needed to build his pyramid. A stela found near Abu Simbel and some fragments of an alabaster object found in Byblos, indicate some commercial activity with Nubia and Palestine.
Kheops built his funerary monument away from his predecessor’s. Building activity was moved from Dashur to Giza, to the North of the capital Memphis. There he built the monument that has made him one of the most famous kings of the Ancient Egyptian history: the Great Pyramid of Giza.
A view on the Great Pyramid of Giza, Kheops' funerary monument.
Herodotos, however, did not invent Kheops’ bad reputation. This had, in fact, become part of the Egyptian tradition centuries before this Greek traveller visited Egypt. The Middle Kingdom story recorded on the Westcar Papyrus, which shows Snofru as a wise and kind man, has been seen to describe Kheops as a cruel ruler, with no respect for life who would have a prisoner decapitated as part of a magical demonstration.
Kheops Statuary
Although only one statuette bears Kheops' name, several others have been credited to this king based on stylistic similarities.Ivory Statuette of Kheops
This small ivory statue, found in 1903 by W.F.Petrie in Abydos is the only known statue that bears the titulary of Kheops.
The cartouche on the left-hand side of the throne, next to the king's leg, has been damaged and is not readable. The Horus Name on the right-hand side, can clearly be identified as belonging to Kheops.
The cartouche on the left-hand side of the throne, next to the king's leg, has been damaged and is not readable. The Horus Name on the right-hand side, can clearly be identified as belonging to Kheops.
Despite
the fact that it is only 7.5 cm high, the king's face has been
rendered with great detail. Long, narrow eyes, a broad nose and mouth
and a firm chin give it a serene and recognisable expression.
The king wears the Red Crown, associated with Lower Egypt. In his right hand, he is holding a flail, symbol of his royal power, while his left hand is resting on his left knee.
The king wears the Red Crown, associated with Lower Egypt. In his right hand, he is holding a flail, symbol of his royal power, while his left hand is resting on his left knee.
Limestone Head of a King
Although
this small limestone head has been catalogued by the Berlin Museum
since 1899, its provenance is unknown. It is not inscribed, but its
facial characteristics have led researchers to believe that it
represents Kheops.
From the uraeus on the brow, it is clear that this is indeed a royal figure. The wig, with curly hair, is rather unusual for this period, but this may be due to the fact that not many royal statues of this period have survived to date.
The long, narrow eyes, the broad, be it somewhat damaged nose and the wide mouth are all somewhat reminiscent of the facial characteristics of the small ivory statue of Kheops, leading to the current, tentative identification of this fragment.
Limestone head of a king, believed to be Kheops.
Source: Schulz - Seidel e.a., Egypte. Het land van de farao's, p. 76
Source: Schulz - Seidel e.a., Egypte. Het land van de farao's, p. 76
From the uraeus on the brow, it is clear that this is indeed a royal figure. The wig, with curly hair, is rather unusual for this period, but this may be due to the fact that not many royal statues of this period have survived to date.
The long, narrow eyes, the broad, be it somewhat damaged nose and the wide mouth are all somewhat reminiscent of the facial characteristics of the small ivory statue of Kheops, leading to the current, tentative identification of this fragment.
Small Head
Unnamed head of a statue of a king.
Source: Ziegler e.a., L'art Egyptien, pp. 183-184.
Source: Ziegler e.a., L'art Egyptien, pp. 183-184.
Despite the fact that it is heavily damaged, some features are still clearly visible: narrow eyes, a broad nose and a large mouth. These features are reminiscent of the facial features of the only known statue of Kheops that bears his titulary. Because of this, be it very slight, resemblance, some Egyptologists have tentatively identified this statue as Kheops.
Granite Head of a King
Granite head of an unnamed king.
Source: Ziegler e.a., L'art Egyptien, pp. 182 - 183.
Source: Ziegler e.a., L'art Egyptien, pp. 182 - 183.
Based on stylistic criteria, it can be dated to somewhere around the end of the 3rd and the beginning of the 4th Dynasty. It has sometimes been credited to Huni, the last king of the 3rd Dynasty.
The narrow eyes, broad nose and large mouth, however, are thought to resemble the facial features of the only known statue of Kheops that bears his titulary.
Titulary of Kheops
- Hr mDdw
Horus, the one who hits - Hr mDd
Horus, the one who hits
- mDd r nb.tj
The one who hits for the Two Ladies - nsw bi.tj mDd nb.tj
The King of Upper and Lower Egypt, who hits (for) the Two Ladies
- bik.wj nbw(.wj)
The two falcons are golden - bik.wj nbw(.wj)
The two falcons are golden
- xwfw
Kheops - xfw
Kheops - Xnmw-xfw
Khnum-khufu
- xfw
Kheops - xfwf
Kheops
Africanus: Suphis (I)
Eusebius: Suphis
Alternative names in modern-day literature
Khufu, Chufu, Khoufou, Choufou, Cheops, Chéops, Khéops
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