Khufu c. 2589–2566 BC
Sneferu's son Khufu (Cheops to the Greeks) built the Great Pyramid of Giza, the largest pyramid ever made and the only Wonder of the Ancient World still standing. A full-size wooden boat was buried beside it.
Birth name: Khufu
ḫwfw: “Short for 'Khnum protects me'”
Sign by sign
- Placenta Aa1ḫ The sound ḫ.
- Quail chick G43w The sound w; also a plural ending.
- Horned viper I9f The sound f; also means 'he, his'.
- Quail chick G43w The sound w; also a plural ending.
Names of gods (Ra, Amun, Ptah) are written first out of respect, even when they are read later. Dates are approximate; we follow Ian Shaw (ed.), The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt (2000).