The pyramids of Giza were built as royal tombs for three different pharaohs. The oldest and northernmost pyramid belongs to Khufu (known to the Greeks as Cheops), who was the second king of the 4th dynasty. This is the Great Pyramid, and it is the largest of the trio. The middle pyramid was constructed for Khafre (or Chephren), the fourth king of the same dynasty. Finally, the southernmost pyramid was built for Menkaure (known as Mykerinus in Greek), the fifth king. At 218 feet (66 meters) high, it's noticeably smaller than the pyramids of Khufu (481.4 feet [147 meters]) and Khafre (471 feet [143 meters]).
Historians still debate why the ancient Egyptians chose the pyramid shape for their royal tombs, both at Giza and in other burial sites. Various theories suggest that the pyramid may serve as a stairway for the pharaoh’s ka (soul) to ascend to the heavens, represent the ancient mound of creation, or symbolize the rays of the sun spreading down to Earth.
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