Final answer:
Herodotus claimed the Great Pyramid was built by Khufu over 20 years with 100,000 workers, but modern estimates suggest 20,000. The pyramid, part of a complex including two smaller pyramids, showcases Egypt's wealth and the Nile's role in supporting such massive projects.
Step-by-step explanation:
Great Pyramid Construction According to Herodotus
According to Herodotus, the Great Pyramid was built by the Egyptian Pharaoh Khufu, also known as Cheops. Herodotus, who lived much later than the time the pyramid was constructed, claimed that it took 20 years to complete the construction of the Great Pyramid, employing about 100,000 workers.
However, modern archaeologists believe this number is exaggerated, estimating that around 20,000 workers may have been employed instead. These workers were not slaves; they were probably paid laborers who enjoyed a relatively higher standard of living. They resided in cities near the construction site, which provided for their needs.
The Great Pyramid of Giza is part of a complex that includes two smaller pyramids built by Pharaohs Khafre and Menkaure. It used over 2.3 million stone blocks. It was originally 146 m high and has a square base covering 13.1 acres. The construction process remains a subject of speculation among historians, with theories about the transportation and lifting of the heavy stones still being discussed.
The pyramids showcase the wealth and organizational capacity of Ancient Egypt, made possible by the abundant resources provided by the Nile floods. The labor to build the pyramid was most intense when the Nile's flooding made it impossible for farmers to work the fields.