Great Pyramid of Giza
The Great Pyramid of Giza, also called the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Great Pyramid of Cheops, [1] is a pyramid in the Giza Necropolis of Greater Cairo, Egypt. [2] Currently 449 ft tall, it is the largest and oldest of the pyramids in the Giza pyramid complex, was the tallest building for nearly 4,000 years, and is the largest pyramid ever constructed. [3][4] It was built by pharaoh Khufu, of the fourth dynasty of Egypt, around 2560 BC, with the purpose of becoming a tomb. [2] It is the only remaining structure of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and an honorary member of the New Seven Wonders of the World. [5]
History
Near 450 BC, Greek historian Herodotus visited Egypt. There, he was told by Egyptian priests that more than 400,000 men had worked for around 20 years in order to build the pyramid, originally 481 ft tall, [4] which would serve as a tomb for the then-pharaoh Khufu, named Cheops in Greek. [3] It is estimated that approximately 2.3 million stone blocks, each one weighing around 2.5 tons, were used to build the pyramid. [6] Over the years, it has suffered the attacks of grave robbers, who have taken gold and many treasures. [3]
References
- ↑ http://interoz.com/egypt/cheops.htm
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://www.authenticwonders.com/Wonders/pyramid.html
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 http://www.sacred-destinations.com/egypt/giza-great-pyramid-of-khufu.htm
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 http://www.nationalgeographic.com/pyramids/khufu.html
- ↑ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19652635/
- ↑ http://www.egyptreservation.com/Pyramids.htm