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Redjedef
Other spelling: Djedefre
King of Ancient Egypt, the 3rd king of the 4th Dynasty of Egypt, ruling 2566-2558 BCE, for 8 years.
Redjedef was the son of Khufu, but his mother was one of the secondary wives. He was originally not the heir to the throne of Egypt. The crown prince was his half-brother, Kawab, who was killed in a coup. It is possible that Redjedef was part of the coup. At least he was the one benefiting from his half-brother's death. In order to secure his position, Redjedef married his half-sister Hetepheres 2, who also was Kawab's widow.
As usual with kings of this era, little is known about his reign. Among the few things that can be traced back to him is that he was the first king to use the epithet "Son of Re" in his title.
Redjedef did not construct his funerary complex at Giza, as did his father. Rather he ordered the building of a pyramid further north, at the site now known as Abu Ruwash. The pyramid was planned on the same scale as the later pyramid of Menkaure. The complex was not finished when he died, and was never completed afterwards either. The fact that his half-brother and successor, Khafre, did not continue its construction, but rather turned it into a quarry, indicates that Redjedef was toppled from power. It is now known if he died a natural death or was murdered.
He was preceded by his father, Khufu, and succeded by his half-brother, Khafre.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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