Final answer:
The Egyptians built magnificent tombs like the pyramid of Cheops to ensure that a pharaoh's soul could thrive in the afterlife and to celebrate their legacy, employing substantial resources and skilled labor for construction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Why Cheops' Tomb Is Magnificent
The Egyptians believed that tombs were critical for the survival and prosperity of the soul in the afterlife. Cheops, or Khufu, was an Egyptian pharaoh whose reign necessitated a tomb that surpassed all others to ensure his memory and spirit would be honored according to their beliefs. These pyramids served as tombs filled with all the necessities a king might need in the afterlife. Integral to these grand tombs were intricate carvings that celebrated the pharaoh's legacy, provided a guide for the soul, and offered protection against grave robbers.
The pyramid of Khufu was constructed by a substantial workforce of skilled laborers who lived nearby in purpose-built cities, highlighting the immense resources the state devoted to such undertakings. Contrary to common belief, these workers were not enslaved but likely enjoyed a standard of living higher than many other Egyptians of their time.
Esteemed rulers, such as Djoser, for whom the step pyramid was constructed by the architect Imhotep, paved the way for future pharaohs' tombs, including Cheops. The pyramids were feats of engineering, utilizing durable stone materials which signified advancements from previous mud-brick mastabas. The construction of such tombs reflected the Egyptians' mastery in engineering, architecture, and their deep reverence for their rulers and the afterlife.