Why were the Pyramids built?

• Ancient Egyptians believed that when the pharaoh died, he became Osiris, king of the dead. The new pharaoh became Horus, god of the heavens and protector of the sun god. This cycle was symbolized by the rising and setting of the sun.

Osiris

Horus

The Pyramids

• There are over 100 pyramids in Egypt. Most were built as tombs for the country's Pharaohs and their consorts during the old and Middle Kingdom periods.

Step Pyramid Location: Saqqara Built by : Pharaoh Djoser Date : Circa 2630 B.C. Height : 204 feet ( 62 meters)

Maidum Pyramid Location: Maidum Built by : Pharaoh Snefru Date : Circa 2600 B.C. Height : 306 feet ( 92 meters)

Bent Pyramid Location: Dahshur Built by : Pharaoh Snefru Date : Circa 2600 B.C. Height : 344 feet ( 105 meters)

Red Pyramid Location: Dahshur Built by : Pharaoh Snefru Date : Circa 2600 B.C. Height : 341 feet ( 104 meters)

Great Pyramid Location: Giza Built by : Pharaoh Khufu Date : Circa 2550 B.C. Height : 481 feet ( 147 meters)

Pyramid of Khafre Location: Giza Built by : Pharaoh Khafre Date : Circa 2520 B.C. Height : 471 feet ( 144 meters)

Pyramid of Menkaure Location: Giza Built by : Pharaoh Menkaure Date : Circa 2490 B.C. Height : 213 feet ( 65 meters)