Construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza
The Great Pyramid was built as a tomb for Pharaoh Khufu, standing as the tallest man-made structure for over 3,800 years.
The Great Pyramid of Giza was constructed during the reign of Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops) of the Fourth Dynasty. It originally stood at 146.6 metres and was the tallest man-made structure in the world for more than 3,800 years. The pyramid is estimated to have been built with 2.3 million stone blocks, each weighing an average of 2.5 tonnes. The precision of its construction continues to astound engineers and archaeologists.
More in Art & Culture
Sappho of Lesbos
Sappho, the great lyric poet of ancient Greece, composed passionate verse on the island of Lesbos — becoming the first major female voice in Western literature.
~1150Hildegard of Bingen
Hildegard of Bingen — mystic, composer, natural philosopher, and abbess — produced an extraordinary body of work in music, theology, and science centuries ahead of her time.
~1452 CEGutenberg Bible Printed
Johannes Gutenberg printed the first major book using movable type, revolutionizing the spread of knowledge.
~1503–1519Mona Lisa Painted
Leonardo da Vinci began painting the Mona Lisa, which would become the world's most famous portrait.