Why Was Pharaoh Khafre Almost Wiped Out From Historical Records?

Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – It’s strange that Khafre, the son of Pharaoh Khufu and the builder of the second of the three Pyramids of Giza, is somehow missing from ancient Egyptian historical records. Pharaoh Khafre’s absence from historical pages has led to many speculations.

Left: Statue of Khafre Egyptian Museum, Cairo. Credit: Public Domain – Right: Khafre’s Pyramid. Credit: MusikAnimal, CC BY-SA 3.0

Historical data about Pharaoh Khafre is scarce and often contradicting. Who this mighty Pharaoh who believed he was the embodiment of the God Ra?

Who Was Pharaoh Khafre?

Ancient Greeks said he was a cruel tyrant and heretic, but is there any evidence of this? In the writings of Manetho, an ancient Egyptian priest and historian there is no information Pharaoh Khafre, except for the number of years that he ruled.

Starting with what historians know with certainty is that Pharaoh Khafre, also spelled Khafra, Greek Chephren was the brother and successor of Djedefre whose reign was short, not more than 10 – 14 years ca. 2575 B.C. The length of Pharaoh Khafre’s own reigns is uncertain. According to some historians say he reigned between 2558 BC and 2532 B.C.. Manetho claims Khafre had the power over Egypt for as long as 66 years, and the Turin List doesn’t mention Pharaoh Khafre at all.

Pharaoh Khafre had several wives, at least 12 sons, and some daughters as well.

Khafre seems, just like his father, Pharaoh Khufu to have been almost completely wiped out from the historical records. If it hadn’t been for the pyramids the two constructed, it’s doubtful their existence would have been known to future generations. One can only wonder if there was a reason to wipe out Khafre from historical records.

Source: AncientPages.com – Read rest of the article here