ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the city of Giza usually comes to mind first when considering ancient Egyptian architecture. One of the major Egyptian deities was Ra, the sun god. He was believed to have been the first Egyptian king, and the pharaohs were considered his direct descendants. He is often referred to as the world's first documented architect, and also is considered the father of Egyptian medicine. It is unknown whether or not the architects of the Egyptian pyramids deliberately used the golden ratio, or whether they independently arrived at the conclusion that these proportions were very pleasing to the human eye. The Great Sphinx was likely built under Pharaoh Khafre, as it is aligned directly with Khafre's pyramid and is thought to date to the same period. Smog and wind from nearby Cairo have contributed to the statue's erosion, but it still remains an extremely impressive feat of Egyptian art and culture.
