Cheops is undoubtedly the most famous ruler of ancient Egypt, famous for building the largest pyramid in the world.
He reigned during the Old Kingdom in the mid-twenty-sixth century BCE., but the exact length and years of his reign are unknown (probably reigned approx. 40-50 years). He was the son of the former ruler of Snofru and Queen Hetepheres I., and his name in the original version of Khufu (Chnum-chuefui) Means Chnum protects me.
Little information about this pharaoh has survived to this day, but as can be inferred from his name carved in stone in various places in Egypt, he was the ruler of a united Upper and Lower Egypt, exploited the deposits of turquoise and copper in Sinai and undertook numerous war campaigns, including. against the desert Bedouins. From the writings of Herodotus, traveling in the land of the pharaoh, you can read a not very flattering opinion about the government of Cheops, but as Herodotus lived above 2000 years later after Pharaoh, it should not be given full faith.
Even today Cheops was widely regarded as a tyrant, who, in the name of his own vanity and greed, condemned his people to slave labor in the construction of a huge pyramid. Recently, however, it appears, the work on the construction of this megalithic building was of a salutary nature for unemployed peasants, who, as a result of the flood of the Nile, could not plant their fields. Pharaoh gave them employment and livelihood, and perhaps the promise of eternal life in the afterlife as a reward for his faithful service. Besides, the nature of the workers' settlements near the pyramid was nothing like slave camps, or rather an ordinary town. The construction of the pyramid did not ruin the state treasury either, for what else was the son of Cheops, Chefrena, it was shortly after that it could afford to build its own, a slightly smaller pyramid?
Although undoubtedly the Great Pyramid is the work of Cheops, as evidenced by the cartouche with the name of the ruler found in the pyramid in 1837 year and numerous references to him in the writings of Herodotus, Diodorus and other ancient authors, this, however, is not known, whether this ruler was buried in it at all. His body has not yet been found, but it is possible, that it was moved or destroyed even in ancient times. The Great Pyramid has been plundered many times, and just like the treasures hidden in it, yes and the ruler's mummy might have been stolen.
After Pharaoh's death, one of his many sons took his place, Djedefre, but he reigned briefly, and after him Chephren ascended the throne, Cheops's younger son, considered his brother by some scholars.