Some authors date his rule between 2532–2504 BC, but no accurate date is actually given for his reign. His name means "Last long (Men) the vital forces (Kau) of Ra." He was the successor of Khafra (Chephren).
According to Herodotus, Menkaura was the son of Khufu (Greek Cheops), and alleviated the suffering his father's reign had caused the inhabitants of ancient Egypt. Herodotus adds that he suffered much misfortune: his only daughter died before him, whose corpse was interred in a wooden bull (which Herodotus claims survived to his lifetime); and that an oracle of Buto predicted he would only rule six years, but through cleverness Menkaufra was able to rule a total of 12 years and foil the prophecy (Herodotus, Histories, 2.129-133).
Other spellings: Men-Kau-Re, Mycerinus (Latin), Mykerinos (Greek).
Menkaure'spyramid is two-tone in color: the top half covered with bright white limestone casing, while red Aswan granite was used for the casing on the bottom.
Menkaure is therefore succeeded by Shepseskaf, a son of Menkaure by an unknown minor wife.
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