King Menkaure of the Fourth Dynasty – Pyramid, Family & Statues
King Menkaure – Biography, Pyramid & Statue Triads
King Menkaure (also spelled Menkaura) was the fifth pharaoh of Egypt’s celebrated 4th Dynasty and the builder responsible for the third great Giza pyramid. Unlike the monumental scale of his predecessors, Menkaure is historically remembered as a just and approachable ruler. He left a profound artistic legacy that transcended the size of his final monument: elegant royal statues and the iconic triads of King Menkaure that flawlessly capture the spirit and mastery of Old Kingdom art.
In this detailed guide, we will explore the family, reign, and achievements of King Menkaure. You will uncover the unique architectural details of the Pyramid of Menkaure—including its striking original granite casing—and discover the significance of the world-famous triads of King Menkaure. We provide essential information on where to see these masterpieces today, alongside quick facts and FAQs tailored for both discerning travelers and dedicated history fans.
Who Was King Menkaure?
King Menkaure was a pivotal figure of the late 4th Dynasty (Old Kingdom), directly descending from the most famous pyramid builders. He was the grandson of Khufu (builder of the Great Pyramid) and the son of Khafre (builder of the second largest Giza pyramid). Unlike the imposing reputation of his forebears, ancient tradition overwhelmingly remembers King Menkaure as a kind, approachable, and well-loved monarch. He is believed to have governed Egypt for approximately two decades, during which he established both his royal palace and his funerary complex immediately beside his pyramid on the globally famous Giza Plateau.
King Menkaure’s Family
Like many Old Kingdom royals, Menkaure belonged to an extended courtly network of kings, queens, and viziers. Highlights from the traditional king lists and archaeological finds:
- Father: Pharaoh Khafre; Grandfather: Khufu.
- Mother: Queen Khamerernebty I (attested by inscriptions found in his tomb context).
- Brothers: Nebemakhet, Nikaure, Iunmin, Sekhemkare (some served as viziers).
- Wives: Queen Khamerernebty II (likely his sister); Queen Rekhetre (half-sister).
- Children: Crown Prince Khuenre (died young); his brother Shepseskaf succeeded Menkaure; plus other sons/daughters recorded in later sources.
The Pyramid of Menkaure (Giza’s Third Pyramid)
Known in ancient Egyptian as Netjer-er-Menkaure—meaning “Menkaure is Divine”—the Menkaure pyramid holds a unique place among the Giza monuments. While it is the smallest of the three, with a base measuring approximately 108.5 m and an original height of around 65.5 m, it is no less compelling than the pyramids of Khufu and Khafre.
Architecturally, the monument stands apart: look closely at the lower courses, which were originally sheathed in stunning red granite, a striking and opulent contrast to the pale limestone casing used higher up. The funerary complex includes three subsidiary (queens’) pyramids; notably, two were left mysteriously unfinished, while the most complete structure houses a Queen’s statue.
Construction was halted by the death of King Menkaure, leaving his complex partially unfinished. His successor, Shepseskaf, completed several key elements, ensuring the monarch’s final resting place was secured. Today, visitors to the Giza plateau near Cairo can still sense the precision of its masonry and the profound power of its simplified geometry.
King Menkaure Statue
King Menkaure statues are among the most refined examples of Old Kingdom royal art. Carved primarily from greywacke or schist, they emphasize strength, youthful vigor, and divine authority. His statues often depict him striding forward with his left leg, wearing the royal kilt, a false beard, and either the White or Red Crown of Egypt.
The facial features are distinctive: broad cheeks, almond-shaped eyes, a straight nose, and a calm, composed expression—symbols of eternal kingship. The musculature of the chest and limbs is rendered with striking detail, projecting power and perfection.
These statues not only decorated temples and tombs but also reinforced the king’s eternal presence and divine legitimacy. Today, Pharaoh Menkaure’s statues can be seen in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and other major collections worldwide, continuing to inspire awe in modern audiences.
Triads of King Menkaure
Five triad statues were discovered (greywacke/schist), showing King Menkaure flanked by Goddess Hathor and a local nome deity. Three triads are in the Egyptian Museum (Cairo); another and fragments are in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Scholars suggest many more triads were intended—possibly one for each nome—to project royal presence across Egypt.
First Triad of Pharaoh Menkaure
The famous triads of King Menkaure are not merely artistic groupings; they are complex political statements cementing the Pharaoh’s control over the ancient provinces (nomes) of Egypt. Each triad, discovered in the Valley Temple at Giza, depicts the Pharaoh flanked by Goddess Hathor (representing the divine realm) and a specific local nome deity (representing his earthly dominion).
This statue depicts King Menkaure standing between Hathor and the local Egyptian goddess of the 17th Upper Egyptian nome (Inpw). The Pharaoh is meticulously rendered wearing the White Crown and a short shendyt kilt, showcasing refined facial features and an athletic anatomy. Hathor embraces the king, symbolizing protective favor and divine endorsement.
Second Triad of King Menkaure
In this powerful grouping, Pharaoh Menkaure stands with Hathor and the deity representing the 8th Upper Egyptian nome (BAt, later known as Diospolis). The arrangement perfectly projects the crucial political concept of royal authority and local divine protection working in unified, harmonious governance.
Third Triad of Pharaoh Menkaure
This version pairs Pharaoh Menkaure and Hathor with the deity of the 4th Upper Egyptian nome (WAst), the powerful region later known as Thebes (modern-day Luxor). Inscriptions on this specific triad praise the king with the epithet “Horus, the strong bull,” confirming his divine rule and status as the “beloved of Hathor.”
Fourth & Fifth Triads of King Menkaure
Beyond the three well-preserved triads, archaeologists also uncovered a fourth triad statue and fragments of a fifth triad. These pieces are now displayed at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Despite their incomplete state, they confirm that Pharaoh Menkaure commissioned multiple sets of triads, likely intended for shrines across Egypt.
Some Egyptologists suggest there may have originally been eight triads, while others argue for as many as thirty—symbolizing Egypt’s nomes. Each triad represented the king’s divine right to rule, flanked by Hathor and a local deity, affirming his presence in every province of Egypt.
Together, these triads demonstrate Menkaure’s political and religious strategy: blending royal power with local cults to strengthen unity across Upper and Lower Egypt.
King Menkaure and Queen
The dyad statue of King Menkaure and Queen is universally recognized as one of the most iconic and celebrated statues surviving from the entire Old Kingdom. Carved from highly durable greywacke/schist, this masterpiece shows the Pharaoh standing tall, side-by-side with his Queen, who gently embraces him with one arm. This powerful, tender gesture is universally understood to symbolize eternal unity, protection, and royal partnership.
The identity of the Queen remains a subject of scholarly debate: she is most often identified as Queen Khamerernebty II, though some experts suggest she may represent his mother or another royal consort. Regardless of her exact name, the statue conveys an image of idealized beauty and timeless, divine strength.
The sculpture perfectly adheres to the strict artistic conventions of the Old Kingdom: Menkaure wears the traditional royal shendyt kilt and nemes headdress, while the Queen dons a long, form-fitting dress. Their calm, youthful faces emphasize their desired eternal presence and divine perfection. Today, this remarkable dyad remains one of the most studied and photographed Egyptian statues, displayed prominently in major museum collections and art history textbooks worldwide as an unparalleled symbol of pharaonic majesty and intimate companionship.
Quick Facts about King Menkaure
- Names: Menkaure (also Menkaura)
- Dynasty: 4th Dynasty, Old Kingdom
- Pyramid: Giza’s third pyramid (Netjer-er-Menkaure), base ~108.5 m, height ~65.5 m
- Materials: Lower casing in red granite; upper courses in fine limestone
- Family: Son of Khafre; grandson of Khufu; succeeded by Shepseskaf
- Art: Triads with Hathor + nome deities (Cairo & Boston); famous dyad with a queen
Conclusion
Though smaller than the pyramids of Khufu and Khafre, the Pyramid of Menkaure pairs compact scale with exquisite detail. Through elegant statues and triads, King Menkaure—the humane ruler of Giza’s third pyramid—left an enduring artistic and architectural legacy that still captivates visitors today.
See Menkaure’s Pyramid & Art with Expert Egyptologists
Stand beside the granite casing of Menkaure’s pyramid and trace the artistry of his triads in world-class museums:
FAQ – King Menkaure
Which pyramid did King Menkaure build?
The third pyramid at Giza, known as the Pyramid of Menkaure (Netjer-er-Menkaure), recognizable by its lower courses of red granite.
How tall is the Pyramid of Menkaure?
Originally about 65.5 meters high with a base of roughly 108.5 meters.
What are the “triads” of Pharaoh Menkaure?
Statues showing Menkaure with Hathor and a nome deity. Several survive—three in Cairo and another with fragments in Boston—revealing superb Old Kingdom craftsmanship.
Is Menkaure also spelled differently?
Yes—Menkaura is a common alternate transliteration.
