

One very famous example was in 1922 when archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of King Tutankhamen, a pharaoh who died when he was only nineteen. From Thutmose III, Amenhotep III, and Akhenaten, to Tutankhamun, Egyptian pharaohs were the rulers of ancient Egypt who held supreme power and authority over the land and its people. While the civilizations rulers, language, writing, climate, religion and borders have changed many times over the millennia, Egypt still exists as a modern-day country. Explorers and archaeologists have discovered these tombs and learned a great deal about ancient Egyptian society from them. Hatshepsut, in particular, was a successful ruler, but many inscriptions and monuments about her were destroyed after her death-perhaps to stop future women from becoming pharaohs.Īfter their deaths, many pharaohs were entombed and surrounded by riches they were meant to use in the afterlife. Pharaohs were typically male, although there were some noteworthy female leaders, like Hatshepsut and Cleopatra. Though there is some debate among experts, many believe he was the first ruler to unite upper and lower Egypt (this is why pharaohs hold the title of “lord of two lands”). They were gods chosen to lead the people and maintain order.

Known rulers in the history of Egypt for the First Dynasty are as follows. Pharaohs were looked upon as more than rulers. aspects of the Kings and Queens who lived then as well as aspects of Egyptian. Except, that is, for a century or so around 1640 B.C. Many scholars believe the first pharaoh was Narmer, also called Menes. The ruler of ancient Egypt was called pharaoh. Egypt’s carefully recorded lists of rulers run pharaoh after pharaoh for almost 3,000 years. As a statesman, the pharaoh made laws, waged war, collected taxes, and oversaw all the land in Egypt (which was owned by the pharaoh). Maintaining religious harmony and participating in ceremonies were part of the pharaoh’s role as head of the religion. While early Egyptian rulers were called “kings,” over time, the name “pharaoh” stuck.Īs the religious leader of the Egyptians, the pharaoh was considered the divine intermediary between the gods and Egyptians. The word “pharaoh” means “Great House,” a reference to the palace where the pharaoh resides. As ancient Egyptian rulers, pharaohs were both the heads of state and the religious leaders of their people.
