Menkaure

king of Egypt
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

Print
verifiedCite
While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions.
Select Citation Style
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

Also known as: Menkure, Mycerinus, Mykerinos
Quick Facts
Also spelled:
Menkure
Greek:
Mykerinos
Flourished:
25th century bce
Flourished:
c.2600 BCE - c.2551 BCE
Title / Office:
king (2575BC-2465BC), Egypt

Menkaure (flourished 25th century bce) was the fifth or sixth king of the 4th dynasty (c. 2543–c. 2436 bce) of Egypt; he built the third and smallest of the three Pyramids of Giza.

He was the son of Khafre and, according to the Turin papyrus, reigned for 18 (or 28) years. According to tradition, Menkaure was a pious and just king. Although his pyramid and mortuary temple were unfinished at his death, his successor, Shepseskaf, completed the stonework of the mortuary temple in brick. In the funerary complex were found some of the finest sculptures of the Pyramid Age, including a slate statue group of Menkaure and his sister-wife Khamerernebti II and a number of smaller slate triads representing Menkaure, the goddess Hathor, and various nome (district) deities.

For a list of ancient Egyptian kings, see list of pharaohs of ancient Egypt. For a list of Egyptian dynasties, see list of dynasties of ancient Egypt.

Al-Jizah. Giza Necropolis, Giza Plateau, Cairo, Egypt. Side view of Sphinx with the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) rising in the background. The sides of all three of the Giza pyramids are astronomically oriented to be north-south, east-west (see notes)
Britannica Quiz
Pop Quiz: 18 Things to Know About Ancient Egypt
The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Teagan Wolter.