The word "khafre" is a name that is pronounced as /kəˈfri/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The initial sound /k/ is a voiceless velar plosive, made by positioning the back of the tongue against the soft palate, while the second sound /ə/ is a schwa, a neutral vowel sound that is made by relaxing the tongue and letting it loosely fill the mouth. The third sound /f/ is a voiceless labiodental fricative, produced by bringing the bottom lip to the upper teeth, while the fourth sound /r/ is an alveolar trill, made by vibrating the tongue against the alveolar ridge. The final sound /i/ is a close front vowel, produced by raising the tongue towards the hard palate.
Khafre refers to an ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty during the Old Kingdom period, ruling from approximately 2520 to 2494 BCE. It is also the name by which his pyramid is known. The term "khafre" is derived from the Egyptian hieroglyph, which translates to "appearing like Ra" or "he who is like the sun god."
As a pharaoh, Khafre was the son of King Khufu and Queen Meritites, and the brother of Djedefra. He is famous for commissioning the construction of the second largest pyramid at Giza, which bears his name. Khafre's pyramid is distinguished by its architectural grandeur, featuring a solid limestone core with granite facings. It rises to a height of around 470 feet and has a square base with sides measuring approximately 708 feet.
Additionally, Khafre is recognized for his spectacular statue known as the Great Sphinx, which is carved out of a single piece of stone and showcases the pharaoh's head on a lion's body. This statue was likely created to guard the entrance to Khafre's pyramid complex.
The reign of Khafre is regarded as a period of prosperity and stability in ancient Egypt. His administrative and architectural achievements contributed to the consolidation of the Old Kingdom's power and influence.
Overall, "Khafre" refers to an ancient Egyptian pharaoh who left behind an enduring legacy through monument construction and administrative accomplishments during the Old Kingdom period.
The word "Khafre" has its origin in Ancient Egyptian. It derives from the hieroglyphics for "ka" meaning "spirit" or "soul" and "phra" which translates to "great" or "majestic". Khafre is the name of an Egyptian pharaoh from the Fourth Dynasty, known for building the second largest pyramid in Giza, which is named after him - the Pyramid of Khafre. The name "Khafre" was likely given to him during his reign and has been used to refer to him ever since.