Walk Like an Egyptian

Social Studies Online

The Pharaoh

• A powerful ruler called the Pharaoh ruled ancient Egypt. The Pharaoh was the leader of the Egyptian people.
• Pharaoh means "Great House".
• The Pharaoh was also called the "Lord of the Two Lands" and "High Priest of Every Temple".
• The Egyptians saw the pharaoh as a god, the living version of the god Horus, son of Osiris.
• The Pharaoh was the ruler of Upper and Lower Egypt. The pharaoh's crown was white (Upper Egypt) and red (Lower Egypt) to show the unity of the two lands.
• The Pharaoh made laws and collected taxes, was an army leader and the chief of the temples.
• The Pharaohs were buried in magnificent tombs, with lots of treasures to take them through to the afterlife.
• The Pharaoh often carried a flail (represents the god Osiris) and a Hooked Stick (represent the Pharaohs authority).
• The Pharaohs (men and women) often wore false beards which symbolized royal authority.
• The pharaoh had a chief assistant called a vizier.
• The main responsibility of the pharaoh was to make sure Egypt was protected and at peace.
• The pharaohs were very wealthy and lived in huge palaces with servants.
• Life in the palace for pharaohs and their family was very comfortable.
• The Pharaohs daughter did not usually inherit the title of Pharaoh, but their husband could. Some woman ruled as pharaoh if there was no male heir. The last Egyptian pharaoh was a woman - Cleopatra.
• In some royal families, sisters married their brother in order to keep power in one family and to keep their blood line 'pure'.
• Menes was the first pharaoh in around 3200BC. He united Lower and Upper Egypt.
• Ramses II defeated the Hittites and returned Egypt to Egyptian rule.
• Hatshepsut was a female pharaoh who ruled for 21 years. She took over the throne for her stepson who was too young to rule. She led Egypt in war against Nubia, a kingdom south of Egypt. Her large temple is located at Deir el Bari
• Tuthmosis III became pharaoh in around 1450BC. He extended Egypt's boundaries.