The great pyramids at Giza are among the largest stone structures in the world, unsurpassed in size and scope since the days of antiquity. The Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) is the only one of the ancient Seven Wonders of the World still standing. And yet, despite over four thousand years of study, some debate still surrounds these structures at the most basic levels. Who built the pyramids? How were such feats accomplished years before the advent of modern engineering? Why were the pyramids built in the first place? This volume explores the circumstances surrounding these mighty structures, including pyramid design, construction and architecture, foundations in Egyptian cosmology, symbolism, and political implications. Narrative chapters, primary documents, and detailed histories of individual pyramids bring the reader to a deeper understanding of the Old Kingdom, a unique integration of church and state that allowed its rulers to ascend to the position of god after death. These conditions laid the groundwork for the creation of such massive tomb markers, powerful monuments designed to equip pharaohs for the afterlife and immortalize them for all eternity.
