The Founder & the Royal family:

Snefru was the first king and the founder of the 4th Dynasty. He married queen Hetep Heres who was the daughter of king Huni , the last king in the 3rd dynasty

History:

The 4th Dynasty is mostly known for its enormous building projects. Indeed, as king Snefru at least converted the Step Pyramid of Meidum into a 'real' pyramid, in addition to which he also built the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid at Dashur . The pyramid at Meidum has long time been credited to Huni, but as Huni's name has never been found near that monument, it seems likely that it was built by Snefru as well. In any case, the largest mass of pyramids was built during the reign of Snefru . Kheops , the second king of the 4th dynasty, built the largest pyramid , at the plateau of Giza, to the north of the Memphite necropolis. A graffiti left behind by the workmen in one of the relief chamber above the burial chamber definitely links Cheops to this pyramid. The two other pyramids at Giza were built by Chefren en Mykerinos , a son and grandson of Cheops respectively. The pyramid of Djedefre , the oldest surviving son and successor of Cheops, does not appear to have been completed, hinting at a short reign. Except for two kings, the chronology of the 4th Dynasty is fairly well known. The first problematic king is listed between Chefren and Mykerinos as Bakare in several king lists. The Turin King-list is damaged at this point, but it does insert a king, whose name is lost, between Chefren and Mykerinos. It is possible that a hieratic inscription found in or near the unfinished pyramid of Zawiyet el-Aryan is to be read as Baka. If this is the case, then not only do we appear to have evidence of the existence of this ephemeral king, we also have a monument that was constructed by him. It is also possible for this Baka(re) to have been a son of Djedefre's.The second problematic king is the last of the dynasty. He is only known through Manetho by the name of Thamphthis. The Turin King-list is again damaged at this point, but it does have sufficient place between Shepseskaf and Userkaf for one king. No inscriptions or monuments from the end of the 4th Dynasty can be linked with this name.Another problem surrounding the chronology of this dynasty is the discrepancy between the king-lists and the list provided by Manetho . (Mykerinos), Ratoises (Djededre), Bikheris (Bakare), Sebercheres (Shepseskaf) and Thamphthis.Archaeological evidence, however, appears to support the order in the king-lists rather than Manetho's version.The fact that Djedefre was succeeded by Khefren, his brother, and not by his son and the fact that Djedefre built his pyramid at Abu Rawash instead of Giza, has often been interpreted as evidence of dynastic struggle between Cheops' many descendants. Romantic as it may be, this interpretation is not supported by any hard evidence. The apparently bizare succession order that gave rise to this theory, becomes even more incomprehensive if the king Bakare listed by the king-lists was a son of Djedefre, as has often been suggested. It would be quite strange for Khefren to have eliminated Djedefre, but leave Djedefre's heirs alive and with the opportunity to claim the throne. Khefren's marriage to Meresankh III, an adoptive daughter of Djedefre, too does not support the theory of a dynastic fued.But perhaps we simply do not know enough of the complex family structure of the 4th Dynasty or of its succession rules at this time, to be able to understand its chronology

Famous kings:

- Snefru

- Cheops

- Chefren

- Mykerinos

- Djedefre

- Shepseskaf

Famous monuments:

- Bent Pyramid of Senefro

- Red Pyramid of Senefro

- Pyramid of Cheops

- Pyramid of Chephren

- Pyramid of Mykerinos

- Pyramid of Djedefre

- Pyramid of Shepseskaf

- Funeray furniture of queen Hetep Heres in the Egyptian museum