Menkares

Menkares was an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty. He is primarily known as the builder of the smallest of the three great pyramids at Giza, the Pyramid of Menkaure. This pyramid, though smaller in scale compared to those of his predecessors Khufu and Khafre, is renowned for its distinctive granite casing on the lower courses and the intricate sarcophagus found within its burial chamber.

Details about Menkares' reign are somewhat scarce, but archaeological evidence suggests he ruled for approximately 18 to 25 years. The exact dates of his reign are debated among Egyptologists, with most placing it around the mid-26th century BCE. His pyramid complex at Giza also included a mortuary temple and a valley temple, connected by a causeway, which were typical components of Old Kingdom royal funerary sites.

The identity of Menkares' parents is generally believed to be Pharaoh Khafre and Queen Khamerernebty II, making him the grandson of Khufu. He likely had several consorts, with Queen Khamerernebty III being a prominent one, and is thought to have had at least one son. The legacy of Menkares is largely defined by his pyramid, a testament to the continued architectural and organizational prowess of the Old Kingdom, even as the scale of royal construction shifted. His reign represents a significant, though perhaps less monumental, chapter in the history of pyramid building at Giza.