He wants to be entombed with it when he dies, free from the threat of grave robbers. Dissatisfied with the unoriginal plans of his architects for his tomb, he offers Vashtar, a brilliant slave, a bargain: freedom for his enslaved people if he can design a robber-proof pyramid; however, Vashtar will be killed once it is completed, so the secrets of the design will die with him.
He desires to be buried with it upon his death, shielded from grave robbers. Dissatisfied with the conventional tomb plans of his architects, he proposes Vashtar, a gifted slave, a trade: freedom for his enslaved people if he can design a robber-proof pyramid; however, Vashtar will be killed once the structure is completed, ensuring the secrets of the design perish with him.