Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt | Definition, History, & Facts
The absolute rulers of the nation were the pharaohs of ancient Egypt. They resembled monarchs or emperors. They were the political and religious authority in both upper and lower Egypt. The pharaoh was frequently regarded as a god.
The term “great house” refers to a palace or a monarchy, and the name Pharaoh is derived from this term. The Queen of Egypt, the Pharaoh’s wife, was also regarded as a formidable leader. She was referred to as “the Great Royal Wife”. Although occasionally women ruled and were given the title of Pharaoh, men dominated most societies. The current Pharaoh’s son would succeed him and frequently undergo training in order to become a capable leader.
The dynasties of the Pharaohs are used by historians to categorize the timeline of Ancient Egyptian history. When one family retained control and passed the kingdom to an heir, that was a dynasty. Over the 3000 years of Ancient Egyptian history, 31 dynasties are typically thought to have existed.
Throughout Ancient Egypt’s history, there were numerous outstanding pharaohs. Below are a few of the more well-known ones:
Akhenaten – Akhenaten was renowned for declaring that the sun god was the only deity. They closed many of the temples to other gods while he and his wife, Nefertiti, were in power. He was the famed King Tut’s father.
Tutankhamun, often known as King Tut today, is well-known due to the preservation of much of his tomb and the existence of one of the greatest Egyptian artifacts from his reign. At the age of 9, he was crowned pharaoh. He made an effort to restore the gods that his father had exiled.
Hatshepsut – A lady Pharaoh who initially served as her son’s regent before assuming the throne. In order to increase her authority, she also donned the crown and ceremonial beard of the Pharaoh. She is regarded by many as one among Egypt’s finest pharaohs, not only the best female ruler ever.
Amenhotep III – Amenhotep III ruled during a period of 39 years of exceptional prosperity. He was instrumental in Egypt’s rise to power. The nation was at peace during his tenure, which allowed him to expand several cities and build temples.
Ramses II, often known as Ramses the Great, was the 67-year-old Egyptian monarch. Because he erected more statues and monuments than any other Pharaoh, he is well-known today.
Cleopatra VII – Cleopatra VII is frequently regarded as Egypt’s final pharaoh. She stayed in power by forming alliances with well-known Romans like Mark Antony and Julius Caesar.
Interesting Pharaoh-related information
Pepy II ascended to the throne at the age of 6. For 94 years, he would be Egypt’s ruler.
The cobra goddess was depicted on the crowns worn by the Pharaohs. The cobra goddess could only be worn by the Pharaoh. She was supposed to defend them by spitting fire at their adversaries.
Great tombs were constructed by pharaohs for themselves so they may have a comfortable afterlife.
Menes, a ruler who combined upper and lower Egypt into one nation, was the first Pharaoh.
The largest pyramid was built by the Pharaoh Khufu.
