Menkaura

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sketch of a statue of Menkaura and his queen

The Pyramid of Menkaure, Giza

Menkaura (or Men-Kau-Re; Mycerinus in Latin; Mykerinos in Greek) was a pharaoh of the Fourth dynasty of Egypt (ca. 2620 BC–2480 BC) who ordered the construction of the third and smallest of the Pyramids of Giza. His main queen was Khamerernebty II.

Some authors date his rule between 2532 BC–2504 BC or 28 years but the Turin King List data of 18 years for him is regarded as being closer to the truth since several of his statues were unfinished upon his death--suggesting a much shorter reign--while his pyramid is the smallest of all the 3 royal pyramids at Giza. His name means "Last long (Men) the vital forces (Kau) of Ra." He was the successor of Khafra (Chephren).

According to Herodotus, Menkaura was the son of Khufu (Greek Cheops), and alleviated the suffering his father's reign had caused the inhabitants of ancient Egypt. Herodotus adds that he suffered much misfortune: his only daughter died before him, whose corpse was interred in a wooden bull (which Herodotus claims survived to his lifetime); and that the oracle at Buto predicted he would only rule six years, but through his shrewdness, Menkaufra was able to rule a total of 12 years and foil the prophecy (Herodotus, Histories, 2.129-133). Other conflicting sources state that Menkaura was not the son of Khufu, but of Khafra, who in turn is the son of Khufu.

Menkaura (center) with goddess Hathor (left) and a nome goddess (right) Basalt statue in Cairo Museum.

Statue at the Museum of Fine Arts (Boston)

[edit] External links

• Menkaure and His Queen by Dr. Christopher L.C.E. Witcombe.
• Menkaure: The Last Great Pyramid Builder on the Giza Plateau
• "Herodotus on Menkaure"