Egyptian Pharaohs

A pharaoh was a leader of the Egyptian people. They had absolute power, social status, and were worshipped by others as almighty.

What were ancient pharaohs like? What did they do in society, and what class were they considered to be of?

Egyptian Pharaohs

• They ruled over other Egyptians with absolute power. They were also of the highest class of hierarchy.
• People often believed that the pharaohs were reincarnations of the Egyptian god Horus.
• Pharaohs had many names: their Horus, Nebty, Golden Horus, Prenomen, and their Nomen.
• When pharaohs died, they were thought to become Osiris, god of the underworld.

Pharaohs were not only thought to be reincarnations of the god Horus, but they were also thought to be chosen by the gods.

Once separated, Upper and Lower Egypt were joined and united by a pharaoh named Menes. Menes was not only famous for uniting Upper and Lower Egypt, but he also started the First of all 31 Dynasties.

The traditional capitals of Egypt were Memphis, Thebes, Alexandria, Akhenaten, and Pi-Ramesses.

What were the signs of being a pharaoh?

SIgns of the Pharaoh

• The double crown of Upper/Lower Egypt showed that the person was rightfully Pharaoh.
• The crook, flail, and many other objects showed that you were the pharaoh.
• Earlier pharaohs were buried in pyramids, while later pharaohs were not.
• Scepters were a general sign of authority.

WHO became the pharaoh?

• The throne was supposed to be inherited, but Egyptian history is clouded with mystery and disappearences.
• A dynasty was started (or ended) when another bloodline took the throne.

Burial

• Earlier pharaohs that were buried in pyramids were from a much earlier time than King Tut.
• Of the Pharaohs of Egypt, Khufu built the largest pyramid, "The Great Pyramid".

The Great Pyramids were mostly built from the 1st-6th dynasties, with the 6th dynasty marking the start of the decline of the pharaoh's power and prestige.

When a pharaoh died, it was mummified. The pharaoh's tomb was full of things for the pharaoh's afterlife.

Decline of the pharaoh's power

• The last pharaoh of the "Old Kingdom", where pharaohs were thought to be gods, was Pepy II.
• At the time of his rule, pharaohs were losing their divine status, and others gained more authority.
• The Egyptian government soon basically collapsed, and Egypt entered a turbulent phase of history.

Pharaohs began building very small pyramids again around the 12th Dynasty.

General Information

• A common misconception, Hatshepsut was not the only female pharaoh.
• Tutankhamun died, as pharaoh, at only age 19.
• Coronations took about a year, and a pharaoh's reign did not start until after the coronation was complete. It was a very big and important event.
• Pharaohs often married their brothers or sisters.

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