Information about the life of the Egyptian pharaohs. The origin of the pharaohs, the periods of the history of Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt keeps many secrets that are of interest to huge amount people all over the world. The irrigation system, stone processing, the invention of the mirror - all these discoveries were made in the ancient Egyptian era. At the head of each of them was an unlimited master in power. - pharaoh.
Origin of the term "pharaoh"
The word "pharaoh" itself comes from the Egyptian "Per-aa", which means "magnificent house". So the ancient Egyptians called the palace, which was a sign that distinguishes the pharaoh from other people.
There is an opinion that the rulers did not have the official title of "pharaoh" and were not equated in status with kings or emperors.
The inhabitants of Egypt used this word in order to exclude the pronunciation of the royal name. Basically, the pharaoh was called the ruler of both lands, by which they understood Upper and Lower Egypt, or "belonging to the Reed and the Bee."
Names of pharaohs of ancient Egypt
The names of the pharaohs of ancient Egypt were included in special lists. Today it is difficult to judge the real names of the pharaohs, since each of the sources offers its own pronunciation. First of all, this is due to the existence of many variants of the spelling of the name.
The Egyptians believed that the pharaohs were actually gods, and considered the god Ra to be the first of them. The god Horus, the son of Osiris and Isis, is considered to be the forerunner of the real-life rulers of ancient Egypt. On earth, he ceased in the form of the ruling pharaohs.
AT full version the name of the pharaoh contained five parts. The first part meant the fact of divine origin. In the second part, the origin of the pharaoh from the goddesses of Upper and Lower Egypt - Nekhbet and Wadzhet was emphasized. The third name was Golden and symbolized the eternity of the existence of the ruler. The fourth name usually indicated the divine origin of the pharaoh. Finally, the fifth or personal name was the one given at birth.
Position of the pharaoh of ancient Egypt
The ancient Egyptians believed that the gods appeared in the image of the pharaoh to their eyes. It was believed that all pharaohs appear as a result of the marriage of the wife of the pharaoh with one of the divine beings. It should be said that not only men, but also women could be pharaohs. An example of this is Queen Hatshepsut.
In everyday life, the pharaoh was often considered a god, odes were dedicated to him, and people prayed for his luck and health. Often the pharaoh himself turned to the gods with prayers. Since ancient times, it was believed that the pharaoh and the gods were connected by special bonds. Receiving longevity, health and prosperity as a gift from the gods, the pharaoh in return had to praise them and build temples in their honor.
The pharaoh was the only one who had a direct connection with divine beings. In some cases, he was the first to start and finish agricultural work. So, for example, the pharaoh often prepared himself for sowing, and during the harvest he was honored to cut the first fruits.
Ancient Egypt was a period when the pharaohs enjoyed special reverence. The ruler of Egypt was recognized as the son of the god Ra and was very influential.
An indispensable attribute of the pharaoh was a crown, consisting of two parts, symbolizing the unity of Upper and Lower Egypt. Often the pharaohs carried a cane with them, the upper part of which was made in the form of a dog's or jackal's head. The beard was also a symbol of the power of the pharaoh and emphasized the courageous image of the ruler of Egypt.
The most famous pharaohs of ancient Egypt
The reign of Pharaoh Djoser (2635-2611 BC) is called the golden age in the history of ancient Egypt. Under him, the works of the best scientists invented the solar calendar. In honor of Djoser, a majestic pyramid was erected near the city of Memphis. The pyramid project belonged to the famous architect Imhotep. The pyramid was made in the form of seven steps and lined with white slabs. Extraordinarily beautiful courtyards and temples gave it a special luxury. Later, the talented Imhotep was elevated to the rank of the god of healing.
The first pyramids with smooth walls appeared under Pharaoh Cheops (2551-2528 BC). The pyramids erected in his honor are located in the city of Giza. Due to the fact that the pyramids still continue to amaze with their splendor, they are ranked among the eight wonders of the world.
A large number of workers were involved in the construction of the pyramid. The architect of the pyramid, whose height is 147 meters, was Hemiun. More than 2 million stone slabs were needed for the construction. According to some historians of that time, the construction of the pyramid lasted for 20 years. Such work was exhausting, as a result of which new workers were delivered to the construction site of the pyramids every three months.
Given that the construction of the pyramid took several years, the pharaohs ordered the construction of the pyramid to begin immediately after they became the rulers of Egypt.
The title of the second largest pyramid in Giza was awarded to the pyramid erected during the reign of Pharaoh Khafre. Despite the fact that the height of the pyramid of Khafre was several meters lower than the pyramid of Cheops, its significance is also great. Particularly noteworthy was the erection of a statue of the Great Sphinx next to the pyramid. Nearby is the third largest pyramid, dating back to the years of the reign of Pharaoh Menkaure.
The reign of Ahmose I (1550-1525 BC) was marked by the fact that it was the heyday of such sciences as geometry and astronomy. Ahmose I, thanks to successful military campaigns, significantly increased the territory of Egypt, which became a powerful state in the Middle East.
The highest development of ancient Egypt occurred under Queen Hatshepsut (1489 - 1468 BC). Despite the fact that Hatshepsut was a woman, her reign was not in vain. Like her predecessors, she significantly expanded the borders of Egypt through successful wars, which she herself led. The queen was fond of not only politics, but also architecture. It was on her orders that the Jeser Jeser temple in Deir el-Bahri was erected.
The most significant figure that influenced the boundaries of the territory of ancient Egypt was Pharaoh Thutmose III the Great. Thanks to the development of the art of warfare, he managed to annex such states as Libya, Syria, Palestine, and Phoenicia. Thus, during the reign of Thutmose III, Egypt became a state, which included the lands of Western Asia. It is believed that the success of the Egyptian army brought the use of mercenary troops, as well as war chariots.
Unlike his predecessors, Pharaoh Akhenaten (1364-1347 BC) paid special attention to reforms in the religious sphere. It was under him that the cult of the personality of the pharaoh himself, and not the gods, was introduced. Under Pharaoh Akhenaten, the city of Akhetaten became the capital of Egypt, not dedicated to any of the divine powers. The last step of Pharaoh Akhenaten was the order, according to which it was necessary to stop the construction of all temples.
Akhenaten's innovations were not to the liking of the population of Egypt, as well as his followers. After his death, the significance of all the gods was restored, the temples dedicated to them were rebuilt. The reign of Akhenaten is remembered by the Egyptians with negative side, and often he is not included in the lists of pharaohs.
The last pharaoh who increased the territory of ancient Egypt is Ramesses II, who is remembered as a conqueror and builder. It was during his reign that Egypt regains its former influence. Under Ramesses II, the construction of many works of art, in particular, monuments, began. During his reign, about 5,000 images of the pharaoh were created, which have survived to this day.
The followers of Ramesses II were unable to maintain the power of ancient Egypt. After the magnificent reign of the pharaohs of the Ramesses dynasty, strife began between separate territories ancient Egypt, which was the beginning of the collapse of a great civilization. The power of the pharaohs gradually weakened, and Egypt became a territory conquered by other states.
Conclusion
The activities of each of the pharaohs of ancient Egypt left their mark on history. Each period was marked by its discoveries and achievements.
Undoubtedly, the names of the pharaohs are still for a long time will occupy the pages of the history of the era of antiquity.
The pharaoh played a special role in the life of the Egyptians. This word cannot be translated as king, king or emperor. The pharaoh was the supreme ruler and at the same time the high priest. The pharaoh was a god on earth and a god after death. He was treated like a god. His name was not spoken in vain. The term "pharaoh" itself appeared from the phrase of two Egyptian words per - aa, which meant a great house. So they spoke about the pharaoh allegorically, so as not to call him by name.
According to the beliefs of the Egyptians, the first pharaoh was the god Ra himself. Other gods ruled behind him. Later, the son of Osiris and Isis, the god Horus, appears on the throne. Horus was considered the prototype of all Egyptian pharaohs, and the pharaohs themselves were his earthly incarnation. Every real pharaoh was considered a descendant of both Ra and Horus.
The full name of the pharaoh consisted of five parts, the so-called title. The first part of the title was the name of the pharaoh as the incarnation of the god Horus. The second part was the name of the pharaoh as the embodiment of two mistresses - the goddess of Upper Egypt Nekhbet (depicted in the form of a kite) and the goddess of Lower Egypt Wadzhet (in the form of a cobra). Sometimes the "steady manifestation of Ra" was added here. The third part of the name was the name of the pharaoh as "golden Horus. The fourth part included the personal name of the king of Upper and Lower Egypt. For example, the personal name of Pharaoh Thutmose 3 was Men-Kheper-Ra. And finally, the fifth part of the title was what can be roughly translated as a patronymic. It was preceded by the words "son of Ra", and then followed by the second name of the pharaoh, for example Thutmose - Nefer - Kheper. It was it that usually served as the official name of the pharaoh.
It was also believed that the pharaohs appear from the marriage of the queen, the wife of the pharaoh, with some deity. Kinship in the dynasty of pharaohs was conducted on the maternal side.
Not only men ruled - pharaohs. Queen Hatshepsut is known in history. In all Egyptian temples, the living pharaoh was sung like a god, prayed for his health and well-being. Pharaoh himself addressed the gods with prayers. In the view of the Egyptians themselves, the pharaoh was presented as a god-man. It was believed that there was an unbreakable agreement between the gods and the pharaohs, according to which the gods granted the pharaoh longevity, personal well-being and the prosperity of the state, and the pharaoh, for his part, ensured the observance of the cult by the gods, the construction of temples, and the like. He was the only mortal who had access to the gods.
Sometimes the pharaoh personally participated in the beginning of agricultural work, which was of a sacred nature. He threw a scroll into the Nile with the order to start flooding, he begins preparing the soil for sowing, he is the first to cut the first sheaf at the harvest festival and offers a thanksgiving sacrifice to the goddess of the harvest, Renenut. In Egypt, there was a constant struggle for the throne of Upper and Lower Egypt. Priests played an important role in it. Sometimes they founded a new dynasty of pharaohs. Often the pharaohs were puppets in the hands of the high priest. The fight went on almost non-stop. With the weakening of the state, separatist sentiments in various regions of Egypt immediately raised their heads.
The pharaoh is the son of a god. His main duty is to bring gifts to the gods and build temples for them. Ramesses III addressed the gods in this way: “I am your son, created by your hands ... You created perfection for me on earth. I will do my duty in peace. My heart searches tirelessly for what needs to be done for your shrines.” Further, Ramesses III tells which temples he built and which he restored. Each pharaoh built himself a tomb - a pyramid. The pharaoh also appointed governors of the nomes (nomarchs), chief officials, and the chief priest of Amun. During the war, the pharaoh led the army. By tradition, the pharaohs brought trees and shrubs unknown to the Egyptians from distant campaigns. The pharaohs paid great attention to the construction of irrigation systems and personally supervised the construction of canals.
Awards to the best
The pharaohs valued and in every possible way encouraged their commanders and officials, who served as the main support of their power and power and obtained wealth for them. After the campaign, awards were distributed to those who distinguished themselves. Sometimes one person received the reward. In honor of the victory, a great celebration was held. luxury gifts laid out on tables. Only the highest nobility was allowed to the celebration.
Coronation
The ritual of the coronation of the pharaohs was subject to established rules. But at the same time, there were some differences depending on the day of the ritual. This depended on which god the coronation day was dedicated to.
For example, the coronation of Ramesses III took place on the feast of the god Ming, the lord of the desert and fertility. The pharaoh himself led the solemn procession. He appeared in a chair that was carried on a stretcher by the king's sons and senior officials, which was considered a great honor. In front of the stretcher was the eldest son, the heir. The priests carried a censer with incense. The scroll in the hands of one of the priests represented the program of the holiday. Approaching the dwelling of Min, the pharaoh performed the ceremony of incense and libation. Then the queen appeared. Next to her walked a white bull with a solar disk between its horns - a symbolic personification of God. He was also fumigated with incense. The procession sang hymns. The priests carried wooden statues of various pharaohs. Only one of them, the apostate Akhenaten, was forbidden to "appear" at the festival. Pharaoh sent four arrows to each of the cardinal points: in this way he symbolically struck down all his enemies. Under the singing of hymns, the ceremony comes to its final stage: the ruler thanks Ming and brings him gifts. Then the procession withdrew to the pharaoh's palace.
Pharaoh's personal life
The attitude towards wives and families of the pharaohs was different. For example, Akhenaten hardly ever left his palace. He dearly loved his wife, mother and daughters. Reliefs have come down to us that depict his family during walks. They went to the temple together, the whole family even took part in the receptions of foreign ambassadors. If Akhenaten had one wife, then Ramses II had five of them, and they all bore the title of "great royal wife." Considering that this pharaoh ruled for 67 years, this is not so much. However, in addition to official wives, he had many more concubines. From those and others he left 162 offspring.
Dwelling of eternity
No matter how important the cares of life, the pharaoh had to think in advance what his dwelling of eternity would be like. The construction of even a small pyramid was not an easy task. Granite or alabaster blocks suitable for this were only in two places - on the Giza and Saqqara plateaus. Later, for the repose of the pharaohs in the Theban mountains, they began to cut down entire halls, connected by passages. The main thing in the funeral ceremony was the sarcophagus. The pharaoh personally visited the workshop where the sarcophagus was made for him, and meticulously watched the work. He cared not only about the place of burial, but also about the items that would accompany him in the afterlife. The richness and variety of utensils is amazing. Indeed, in the world of Osiris, the pharaoh had to continue his usual life.
Pharaoh's funeral
The funeral of the pharaoh was a special spectacle. The relatives sobbed and wringed their hands in sorrow. Undoubtedly, they sincerely mourned the departed. But it was considered that this was not enough. Specially invited professional mourners and mourners, who were excellent actors. Having smeared their faces with silt and stripped to the waist, they tore their clothes, sobbed, moaned and beat themselves on the head.
The funeral procession symbolized the migration from one house to another. In the other world, the pharaoh should not have needed anything. In front of the procession were pies, flowers and jugs of wine. Funeral furniture, armchairs, beds followed, as well as personal items, utensils, boxes, canes and much more. A long line of jewels concluded the procession. And here is the mummy of the pharaoh in the tomb. The wife falls to her knees and wraps her arms around him. And at this time, the priests perform an important mission: they place “trismus” on the tables - bread and mugs of beer. Then they put an adze, a cleaver in the shape of an ostrich feather, a model of a bull's leg, a palette with two curls on the edges: these items are needed to eliminate the effects of embalming and give the deceased the opportunity to move. After performing all the rites, the mummy plunges into a stone "grave" in order to move to a better world and lead a new life.
The word "pharaoh" owes its origin to Greek. It is noteworthy that it was found even in the Old Testament.
Mysteries of history
According to ancient legend, the first pharaoh of Egypt - Menes - later became the most popular deity. However, in general, information about these rulers is rather vague. We can't even claim that they all actually existed. The pre-dynastic period is most fully covered in this respect. Historians highlight specific people who ruled southern and northern Egypt.
paraphernalia
The ancient pharaohs of Egypt without fail passed the rite of coronation. Memphis was the venue for the traditional solemn action. The new divine rulers received symbols of power from the priests. Among them were a diadem, a scepter, a whip, crowns and a cross. The last attribute was in the shape of the letter "t" and was crowned with a loop, symbolizing life itself.
The scepter was a short wand. Its upper end was curved. This attribute of power came from Such a thing could belong not only to kings and gods, but also to high officials.
Peculiarities
The ancient pharaohs of Egypt, like sons, could not appear before their people with their heads uncovered. The main royal headdress was the crown. There were many varieties of this symbol of power, among which are the White Crown of Upper Egypt, the Red Crown “deshret”, the crown of Lower Egypt, and also the “Pshent” - a double version consisting of the White and Red crowns (symbolized the unity of the two kingdoms). The power of the pharaoh in ancient Egypt even extended to outer space - so strong was the admiration for each heir to the creator of the world. However, it would be wrong to say that all pharaohs were despotic rulers and sole rulers of destinies.
Some ancient images depict the pharaohs of Egypt, whose heads are covered with scarves. This royal attribute was gold with blue stripes. Often a crown was placed on him.
Appearance
According to tradition, the ancient pharaohs of Egypt were clean-shaven. Another external distinguishing feature of the rulers is the beard, which symbolized masculine strength and divine power. It is noteworthy that Hatshepsut also wore a beard, however, a consignment note.
Narmer
This pharaoh is a representative of the 0 or I dynasty. He ruled around the end of the third millennium BC. A plate from Hierakonpolis depicts him as the ruler of the united lands of Upper and Lower Egypt. It remains a mystery why his name is not included in the royal lists. Some historians believe that Narmer and Menes are the same person. Until now, many argue about whether all the ancient pharaohs of Egypt are really non-fictional characters.
Significant arguments in favor of the reality of Narmer are such found objects as a mace and a palette. Ancient Artifacts glorify the conqueror of Lower Egypt named Narmer. It is claimed that he was the predecessor of Menes. However, this theory also has its opponents.
Menes
First time edit whole country became Menes. This pharaoh laid the foundation for the 1st dynasty. Based on archaeological data, it can be assumed that the time of his reign was about 3050 BC. Translated from ancient Egyptian, his name means "strong", "durable".
Traditions dating back to the Ptolemaic era tell that Menes did a lot to unite the northern and southern parts of the country. In addition, his name was mentioned in the chronicles of Herodotus, Pliny the Elder, Plutarch, Elian, Diodorus and Manetho. It is believed that Menes is the founder of Egyptian statehood, writing and cults. In addition, he initiated the construction of Memphis, in which his residence was located.
Menes was famous as a wise politician and an experienced military leader. However, the period of his reign is characterized in different ways. According to some sources, the life of ordinary Egyptians became worse under the reign of Menes, while others note the establishment of worship and temple rites, which testifies to the wise government of the country.
Historians believe that Menes passed away in the sixty-third year of his reign. The culprit of the death of this ruler, as expected, was a hippopotamus. The enraged animal inflicted mortal injuries on Menes.
Chorus Aha
The history of the pharaohs of Egypt would be incomplete without mentioning this glorious ruler. Modern Egyptologists believe that it was Hor Aha who united Upper and Lower Egypt, and also founded Memphis. There is a version that he was the son of Menes. This pharaoh ascended the throne in 3118, 3110 or 3007 BC. e.
During his reign, ancient Egyptian chronicle writing was born. Each year received a special name for the brightest event that took place. So, one of the years of the reign of Hor Aha is called as follows: "the defeat and capture of Nubia." However, wars were not always waged. In general, the period of the reign of this son of the sun god is characterized as peaceful, calm.
The Abydos tomb of the pharaoh Hor Aha is the largest in the northwestern group of similar structures. However, the most pretentious is the Northern Tomb, which is located in Saqqara. It also contained objects carved with the name Hor Akha. For the most part, these are wooden labels and clay seals located on the vessels. On some ivory items, the name Bener-Ib ("sweet in heart") was carved. Perhaps these artifacts brought to us the memory of the pharaoh's wife.
Jer
This son of the sun god belongs to the 1st dynasty. He is supposed to have reigned for forty-seven years (2870-2823 BC). Not all the ancient pharaohs of Egypt could boast of a large number of innovations during their reign. However, Jer was one of the most ardent reformers. It is assumed that he had success in the military field. Researchers found a rock inscription on the west bank of the Nile. It depicts Jer, and in front of him is a captive man kneeling.
The tomb of the pharaoh, located in Abydos, is a large rectangular pit lined with bricks. The crypt was made of wood. Near the main burial site, 338 additional ones were found. It is assumed that servants and women from Djer's harem are buried in them. All of them, as required by tradition, were sacrificed after the burial of the king. Another 269 graves became the place of the last refuge of the nobles and courtiers of the pharaoh.
Den
This pharaoh ruled around 2950 AD. His personal name is Sepati (this became known thanks to the Abydos list). Some historians believe that it was this pharaoh who put on the double crown, symbolizing the unification of Egypt, for the first time. History says that he was the leader of military campaigns on From here it can be concluded that Den was set up for the further expansion of the Egyptian kingdom in this direction.
The pharaoh's mother was in a special position during the reign of her son. This is evidenced by the fact that she rests near the tomb of Den. Such an honor still needed to be awarded. In addition, it is assumed that Hemaka, the keeper of the state treasury, was also a highly respected person. On found ancient Egyptian labels, his name follows the name of the king. This is evidence of the special honor and trust of King Dan, who united Egypt.
The tombs of the pharaohs of that time were not distinguished by special architectural delights. However, the same cannot be said about Dan's tomb. So, an impressive staircase leads to his tomb (it goes to the east, directly towards the rising sun), and the crypt itself is decorated with red granite slabs.
Tutankhamen
The reign of this pharaoh is approximately 1332-1323 BC. e. Nominally, he began to rule the country at the age of ten. Naturally, the real power belonged to more experienced people - the courtier Aye and the commander Horemheb. During this period, the external position of Egypt was strengthened due to the pacification within the country. During the reign of Tutankhamun, the construction was intensified, as well as the restoration of the neglected and destroyed during the reign of the previous pharaoh - Akhenaten - the sanctuaries of the gods.
As was established during the anatomical studies of the mummy, Tutankhamun did not even live to be twenty years old. Two versions of his death are put forward: the fatal consequences of some kind of illness or complications after falling from the chariot. His tomb was found in the notorious Valley of the Kings near Thebes. It was practically not plundered by ancient Egyptian marauders. During the archaeological excavations, a great variety of precious jewelry, clothing items, and works of art were found. Truly unique finds were a bed, seats and a gilded chariot.
It is noteworthy that the aforementioned successors of the king - Eye and Horemheb - tried in every possible way to consign his name to oblivion, classifying Tutankhamun among the heretics.
Ramses I
This pharaoh is believed to have ruled from 1292 to 1290 BC. Historians identify him with Horemheb's temporary worker - a powerful commander and supreme dignitary Paramessu. The honorary position he occupied was as follows: "the head of all the horses of Egypt, the commandant of the fortresses, the caretaker of the Nile entrance, the envoy of the pharaoh, the charioteer of His Majesty, the royal clerk, the commander, the common priest of the Gods of the Two Lands." It is assumed that Pharaoh Ramses I (Ramses) is the successor of Horemheb himself. An image of his magnificent ascension to the throne has been preserved on the pylon.
According to Egyptologists, the reign of Ramesses I is not distinguished by either duration or significant events. He is most often mentioned in connection with the fact that the pharaohs of Egypt, Seti I and Ramesses II, were his direct descendants (son and grandson, respectively).
Cleopatra
This famous queen is a representative of the Macedonian. Her feelings for the Roman commander were truly dramatic. The years of Cleopatra's reign are infamous due to the Roman conquest of Egypt. The obstinate queen was so disgusted with the idea of being a prisoner (of the first Roman emperor) that she chose to commit suicide. Cleopatra is the most popular ancient character in literary works and films. Her reign took place in co-rulership with her brothers, and after that with Mark Anthony, her legal husband.
Cleopatra is considered the last independent pharaoh in ancient Egypt before the Romans conquered the country. She is often mistakenly called the last pharaoh, but this is not so. love connection with Caesar she brought her a son, and with Mark Antony a daughter and two sons.
The pharaohs of Egypt are most fully described in the works of Plutarch, Appian, Suetonius, Flavius and Cassius. Cleopatra, of course, also did not go unnoticed. In many sources, she is described as a depraved woman of extraordinary beauty. For a night with Cleopatra, many were ready to pay with their own lives. However, this ruler was smart and courageous enough to pose a threat to the Romans.
Conclusion
The pharaohs of Egypt (the names and biographies of some of them are presented in the article) contributed to the formation of a powerful state that lasted more than twenty-seven centuries. The fertile waters of the Nile contributed greatly to the rise and improvement of this ancient kingdom. Annual floods perfectly fertilized the soil and contributed to the maturation of a rich crop of grain. Due to the surplus of food, there was a significant increase in the population. The concentration of human resources, in turn, favored the creation and maintenance of irrigation canals, the formation of a large army, and the development of trade relations. In addition, mining, field geodesy and construction technologies were gradually mastered.
The society was controlled by the administrative elite, which was formed by priests and clerks. At the head, of course, was the pharaoh. The deification of the bureaucratic apparatus contributed to prosperity and order.
Today we can say with confidence that Ancient Egypt became the source of the great heritage of world civilization.
/ Pharaohs of Egypt
Pharaohs of Egypt
The long history of Egypt, with its diverse, sometimes dramatic events, has always unfolded around one unchanging, unshakable center - the pharaoh. He was elected not by people, but by the gods, who gave him the right and opportunity to speak and act on their behalf. The pharaoh is the ruler of Egypt, the mediator between heaven and earth. Behind every pharaoh lies the hidden history of Egypt. The ascension to the throne of a new king became the beginning of a new era for Egypt, a new countdown began from it. The main task of the pharaoh was the destruction of evil and the establishment of Maat - a fair order that governs the world of people and the entire universe.
Who are the pharaohs
The word "pharaoh" comes from the Egyptian "Per-aa", which means "magnificent house". So the ancient Egyptians called the palace, which was a sign that distinguishes the pharaoh from other people. Basically, the pharaoh was called the ruler of both lands, by which they understood Upper and Lower Egypt, or "belonging to the Reed and the Bee."
In ancient Egypt, there was a cult of the pharaohs. The Egyptians believed that the pharaohs were, in fact, gods, and considered the god Ra to be the first of them. From divine ancestors he receives a great heritage - the land of Egypt, which he must guard as the most precious treasure. The forerunner of real-life rulers ancient egypt It is customary to consider the god Horus, the son of Osiris and Isis. The pharaoh is the earthly incarnation of the divine Horus. Like the falcon god Horus who fights Set, the pharaoh must destroy isefet - destruction, violence and evil and establish Maat - truth and justice, prudence, order, unity and harmony. The winged goddess Maat, whose attribute is an ostrich feather, will accompany the pharaoh from the first days of his reign until the last stage of the great journey, when, after death, his soul will appear before the court of Osiris. In this judgment, every thought, every word, every action he performs will be weighed.
In order for the gods to live on earth, they needed houses. Therefore, one of the main duties of the pharaoh was the construction of temples. The pharaoh is the high priest. He carried out rites and ceremonies through which sacrifices and prayers reached the gods. The Sacrifices of Maat is one of the most important ritual scenes. By offering a sacrifice to the deity, the pharaoh gives his good deeds performed in the name of Maat. Behind each ritual gesture of offering there are concrete actions, feats, a fulfilled duty of honor before gods and people.
Every step of the pharaoh had to match strict rules and laws. The pharaoh is directly responsible for justice, the economy and the welfare of the country. The pharaoh is at the head of the army. In hunting, in competitions, in art and knowledge - he must be the best everywhere. Pharaoh should be an example in everything. If this was not the case, his authority was questioned, and then Egypt experienced the most difficult times.
The Egyptians believed that the energy of the pharaoh was depleted after 30 years of rule. That is why the pharaoh had to undergo the rite of renewal of the vitality of Heb-Sed. This ceremony could last more than two months. It consisted of many ceremonies and trials. Heb-Sed gave a “second wind” to royal power and made it possible to feel that the king and his country are forever young.
The name of the pharaoh consisted of five parts. The first part meant the fact of divine origin. In the second part, the origin of the pharaoh from the goddesses of Upper and Lower Egypt - Nekhbet and Wadzhet - was emphasized. The third name was Golden and symbolized the eternity of the existence of the ruler. The fourth name usually indicated the divine origin of the pharaoh. Finally, the fifth or personal name was the one given at birth.
The pharaoh, as a rule, was surrounded by a numerous court, consisting of court officials and servants. It was believed that all pharaohs appear as a result of the marriage of the wife of the pharaoh with one of the divine beings. At the same time, not only men, but also women could be pharaohs. To prevent the mixing of divine blood with human, the pharaohs first married their own sisters, and only then took other women as wives. Only a child born from the marriage of the pharaoh with his sister could inherit the throne. Women born in the family of the pharaoh were endowed with great power. For example, Ahhotep I ruled Egypt until her son Ahmose reached maturity, and even led military campaigns. Queen Hatshepsut was crowned as a king and god and single-handedly ruled in Egypt for about 20 years, she was depicted as a man.
The main clothing of the pharaoh was an apron made of narrow fabric. It was wrapped around the hips and fastened at the waist with a belt. This apron was called shenti. Unlike other segments of the population, the ruler's shenti was made of thin, well-bleached linen. Also, there were aprons made of pleated fabric worn over a loincloth. As decoration, an apron in the form of a trapezoid, which was made of precious metals, was tied to the pharaoh's belt. The finishing touch was jewelry and jewelry.
The indispensable attribute of the pharaoh was the crown. The most common double crown "pshent" consisted of the red crown of Lower Egypt "deshret" and the white crown of Upper Egypt "hedzhet". Each of these two crowns also belonged to the goddesses patronizing these parts of the country - respectively, Wajit, the goddess-cobra, and Nekhbet, revered in the form of a vulture. Images of Wajit (Urey) and Nekhbet were attached to the crown in front. The blue crown of khepresh (for military campaigns), the golden crown of hait (for ritual ceremonies), the diadem of seshed (in the era of the Old Kingdom), as well as other headdresses like the crown of hemhemet, more often found on images of gods than pharaohs, were worn less often.
Often the pharaohs carried a cane with them, the upper part of which was made in the form of a dog's or jackal's head. The ruler was always with his head covered. And even in the family circle he always wore a wig. There were ceremonial and everyday wigs. A diadem in the form of a golden cobra could be worn over the wig. Usually her head was raised above the head of the king. A mandatory attribute was a false beard, braided into pigtails. She was connected to the wig with two garters. The pharaoh, as a rule, did not wear a natural beard and mustache, but sometimes he could leave a square beard.
The pharaoh, first of all, was the guarantor of stability, justice and order in the country. Each subject could count on the mercy of the ruler. And the biggest holiday was the coronation of the ruler. After all, the country again acquired a ruler who was the guarantor of stability and continued existence.
The life of the pharaohs
The pharaohs lived in beautiful palaces, they were served by the sons of the high priests, and even the high priests themselves, who oversaw the performance of rituals and “talked” with the gods, considered themselves to be just the servants of the pharaoh. But, the life of the supreme rulers of Ancient Egypt was not as carefree as it might seem at first glance, they could not do what they wanted, but were obliged to perform rituals and participate in ceremonies all their lives.
The Egyptians believed that the pharaoh could influence everything that happened. It is only thanks to him that the sun rises in the morning, the Nile floods at certain times of the year and brings fertile soil with it, the grains sprout and the harvest ripens. PAccording to the ancient Egyptians, it was the pharaoh who regulated the change of day and night, provided divine assistance during military campaigns and protected from epidemics and other punishments.
The entire population of Egypt, literally, idolized the pharaoh, under favorable circumstances. 
However, when it came black line or a series of failures and troubles, for example, failure in military affairs, a slave riot, a terrible epidemic that “decimated” a quarter of the population, a lean year and, as a result, famine - all this was also “written off” to the pharaohs. Like, our ruler has lost divine protection and now nothing good can happen. And in order not to fall into disgrace and not be overthrown, one had to really take care of the well-being of one's own state.
Therefore, the life of the pharaohs was by no means like a fairy tale. The rulers were treated as a direct continuation of the divine will. They were the central figures of the religious cult. Participation in religious ceremonies was one of the obligatory moments because the gods themselves decreed it. The power of the pharaoh was absolute, it was not limited by any set of rules or laws. At the same time, only a limited circle of people was allowed to communicate with them.
At the royal court, the ceremony of the pharaoh's morning toilet was a special event. The awakening of the ruler always began with a hymn in honor of the rising sun and was accompanied by an elaborate ceremony that prepared him for the morning exit. Pharaoh got up from his bed and bathed in rose water in a gilded bath. Then his divine body was rubbed with fragrant oils under the whisper of prayers that had the property of driving away evil spirits. The barber shaved his head and cheeks, while he used razors with different blades. Having completed the first part of the dress, the godlike with a clean-shaven head and a short beard, fresh and cheerful, passed into the hands of the following specialists who were engaged in his make-up. They kept their colors in small vessels made of glass and obsidian. Pharaoh was eyeballed. Vlasodel tried on wigs of various designs on a shaved head - vaulted, lobed, tiled. The barber offered two kinds of beards tied up on ribbons: Amon's cube from hard horsehair and Osiris's flagellum from the blond hair of Libyan wives.
The guardian brought a white dress made of the finest "royal linen" - "woven air", all in streaked folds; wide sleeves in feathery folds resembling wings, a tightly starched apron protruding forward as a multi-folded transparent, like a glass pyramid. The royal outfit was not just luxurious, it had to correspond to the divine essence of its owner. Therefore, they completed the morning ceremonial by decorating the royal person with precious symbols of royal power. The necklace or mantle was made of strung gold plates and beads with a flat clasp at the back, from which a golden tassel of chains and flowers of surprisingly fine and exquisite work descended onto the back. The classic mantle was made up of numerous rows of beads. In addition to the necklace, the pharaoh wore a pectoral with the image of a temple on a double gold chain. Three pairs of massive bracelets adorned the arms and legs: wrists, forearms and ankles. Sometimes a long thin tunic was worn over the entire costume, tied with a belt of the same fabric.
Purified and fumigated with incense, fully clothed, the pharaoh went to the chapel, tore off the clay seal from its doors, and alone entered the sanctuary, where the miraculous statue of the god Osiris was reclining on an ivory couch. This statue had an extraordinary gift: every night her arms, legs and head fell off, cut off by the once evil god Seth, and the next morning, after the prayer of the pharaoh, again by themselves. When the most holy lord was convinced that Osiris was whole again, he took him off the bed, bathed him, dressed him in precious clothes, and, seating him on a malachite throne, burned incense before him. This rite was extremely important, because if the divine body of Osiris did not grow together on any morning, this would be a harbinger of great disasters not only for Egypt, but for the whole world. After the resurrection and vestment of the god Osiris, the pharaoh left the door of the chapel open so that the grace emanating from it poured out over the whole country, he himself appointed priests who were supposed to guard the sanctuary, not so much from the evil will of people, but from their frivolity, as it happened more than once that someone, inadvertently approaching too close to his place, received an invisible blow that deprived him of consciousness, and sometimes life.
Having finished the rite of worship, the pharaoh, accompanied by priests singing prayers, went to the large refectory hall. When the pharaoh sat down at the table, young girls and boys ran into the hall, holding silver plates with meat and sweets and jugs of wine in their hands. The priest, who watched the royal kitchen, tasted food from the first plate and wine from the first jug, which were then served by the servants, kneeling, to the pharaoh. After the pharaoh, having satisfied his hunger, left the refectory, the dishes intended for the ancestors were passed on to the royal children and priests.
Morning time was devoted to public affairs. From the refectory, the pharaoh went to an equally large reception hall. Here the most important state dignitaries and the closest members of the family greeted him, falling on their faces, after which the Minister of War, the Supreme Treasurer, the Chief Justice and the Supreme Police Chief reported to him on the affairs of the state. The reports were interrupted by religious music and dances, during which the dancers covered the throne with wreaths and bouquets.
After that, the pharaoh went to a nearby office and rested for several minutes, lying on the sofa. Then he made libations of wine before the gods, burned incense and told the priests his dreams. Interpreting them, the wise men compiled the highest decrees on matters awaiting the decision of the pharaoh. But, sometimes, when there were no dreams or when their interpretation seemed wrong to the ruler, he smiled benevolently and ordered to do so and so. This order was a law that no one dared to change, except perhaps in details.
In the afternoon, the godlike, carried in a stretcher, appeared in the courtyard in front of his faithful guard, after which he went up to the terrace and, turning to the four cardinal points, sent them his blessing. At this time, flags were raised on the pylons and powerful sounds of trumpets were heard. Anyone who heard them in the city or in the field, be it an Egyptian or a barbarian, fell on his face, so that a particle of supreme grace would descend on him. At such a moment it was impossible to hit either a person or an animal, and if a criminal sentenced to death penalty, could prove that the sentence was read to him during the exit of the pharaoh to the terrace, the punishment was mitigated. For in front of the lord of earth and heaven goes power, and behind mercy. Having made the people happy, the lord of all things under the sun descended into his gardens, into the thicket of palm trees and rested there, accepting tribute of caresses from his women and admiring the games of the children of his house.
The ruler went to have lunch in another refectory, where he shared food with the gods of all the nomes of Egypt, whose statues stood along the walls. What the gods did not eat, it went to the priests and the highest courtiers.
By evening, the pharaoh hosted his wife, the mother of the heir to the throne, watched religious dances and various performances. Then he went back to the bathroom and, having cleansed himself, entered the chapel of Osiris to undress and put the wonderful god to bed. Having done this, he locked and sealed the doors of the chapel, and, accompanied by a procession of priests, went to his bedchamber.
It should be noted that the wife of the pharaoh often became his adviser and closest assistant, along with him ruled the state. Therefore, it is not surprising that when the pharaoh died, the inconsolable widow took upon herself the burden of governing the state.
pharaoh's house
Approximately, at the end of the 4th millennium BC, the complex of buildings intended for the placement and functioning of the central government - the palace of the pharaoh or nomarch - acquires that special architectural form, which then persists for most of the 3rd millennium.
This prototype of the palace, which then existed for about 500 years, had the following design characteristics: a rectangular parallelepiped, the outer walls of which were surrounded by a series of towers, evenly interspersed with deep niches; the inner array had courtyards and chambers located at the corners. The outer façades were also decorated with tall, closely spaced pilasters, joined at the top and often framed by rich cornices and decorative panels.
The palace of the pharaoh, the highest expression of the city and kingdom, had to meet not only the needs of the king, but also the administration, therefore, was divided into two large sectors. The first included the official premises of the king and his family: a large hall with an audience, a throne room, and, finally, the premises used by the "master of the palace", "guardian of the crown", "master of the two thrones" and head of the royal regalia "who led all complex ceremonies and the court itself, including numerous court ladies and the royal harem, to which was added an army of employees, palace workers, artisans, artists, doctors and hairdressers. In direct connection with this official part were the "Tsar's Court" and the "Chamber of Works" chaired by the "Palace Architect and Builder of the Tsar's Navy".
The second sector included: "White House" (Ministry of Finance); "Red House", or "House of Eternity" (Ministry of the Royal and State Cult); the "Chamber of the Press" (Ministry of Taxes) with a highly organized cadastre and national property registry; "House of leaders armed forces”, connected to the barracks of the army of the pharaoh.
The royal court had an office and archives. The judicial procedure took place in three stages: a petition, written and registered; judicial investigation; judgment based on the hearings of the parties. Punishment included: temporary imprisonment, corporal punishment and, rarely, the death sentence by beheading or hanging.
Of course, with the strengthening of power, the palace needed more and more premises and services. Often different departments were headed by the same person. During Djoser, for example, the high priest Imhotep, an exceptional personality, combined the functions of a doctor, royal architect and vizier.
During the 4th dynasty, the palace-castle reached its maximum splendor. It can be assumed that these monumental buildings were developed technically and artistically on the basis of an architectural experience completely unknown in the rest of the world. The façade, for example, was characterized by a play of voids and fullness, emphasized by protruding elements and vertical lines, which, in comparison with the walls of the Mausoleum of Djoser, demonstrate an exceptional architectural as well as technical and constructive evolution, passed through in less than 200 years.
By the end of the 3rd millennium BC, the delightful castle-palace ceases to exist not only as an aesthetic and architectural solution, but also as a three-dimensional composition from one block, combining the functions of the residence of the pharaoh and the government. With the advent of the second millennium, the requirements become more diverse and more complex: the growing empire demanded more and more prestige and more and more sophisticated instruments of power. The palace now housed the official apartments of the king and his court. It was the place of the ruler of the world, the god on earth; the palace was equated with the temple. The hypostyle hall, filled with giant columns, became the central one, leading to the throne room, also with a colonnade. Next to it, in front of a large vestibule, also decorated with columns and pilasters, there were the "Festival Hall" and auxiliary rooms for court servants. All the wealth and monumentality of the ensemble was concentrated along the axis running from the atrium entrance to the throne room. Basically, the palace was like a temple, where the place of the chapel was occupied by the throne room.
A characteristic palatial façade with a portico appears in the temple of Seti at Abydos; internal and external porticos with columns - to the palace of Amenophis III in Luxor; the hypostyle audience hall, the salon of festivities and the throne room - in similar rooms of the Karnak temple.
The idea to surround the "center of world power" with imposing walls, in addition to the outer facades of the palaces, was realized in the city walls and the Great Gate of Medinet Habu.
During the reign of Akhenaten (1372 - 1354 BC), in this exceptional period for 
ancient art and religion, there have been drastic changes in the architectural language of government buildings and residences of the pharaoh. So, in the city of Akhetaten in Tel el-Amarna, the palace no longer appears as an array enclosed inside a rectangle, and not as a temple surrounded by giant columns, but as a house-villa in the center of other buildings surrounded by open space. Between the main artery (“royal road”) and the Nile stretched a long zone occupied by the official residence: the complex, starting from a spacious peristyle with a throne room, developed through a series of courtyards and gardens to the guest house, harem, royal offices and services. The gallery, which crossed the royal road, connected the palace with the apartments of the pharaoh and his family. These rooms were modest in size, but rich in elegant paintings of flowers and birds, painted even on the floors. The floors were decorated with colorful mosaics, while the walls, columns and ceilings were painted. The rooms were filled with rich furniture and luxurious decorations. The walls, as a rule, were painted with scenes from the life of royal families: for example, the king surrounded by children and the queen, or the king surrounded by charming concubines. The rooms were surrounded by loggias with columns or small pilasters of painted wood; hanging gardens that descended to the main thoroughfare gave them a special charm. Government buildings surrounded the complex, which also adjoined a private temple and a school for future associates of the pharaoh.
To the north of the city was the Hataten Palace ("Castle of the Aten"), probably the first palace built in the new capital, as it is still enclosed in a square and divided into six rectangular symmetrical zones. Two large courtyards occupied a central space connected to a single entrance. The first courtyard led to the personal sanctuary of the pharaoh - on the left, and to the service area and pantries - on the right. The second courtyard with a garden, the heart of the whole ensemble, led to the apartments of the king and his family - on the right, and on the left - to the zoological garden with animals in enclosures that originated from the most distant corners of Egypt. In the background, in the center, dominated the hypostyle hall with the throne room, to the right of which was the hall of festivities, to the left - a private garden with flowers and fountains, surrounded by cages with exotic birds.
Meru Aten, the vast summer residence of the pharaoh, is located in the south of the city. It includes two large rectangular enclosed spaces located side by side. The smaller one was intended for religious meditation, on its sides there were many prayer houses and small cells, a small indoor temple and a sacred fence or a temple in an open area; in the center is a grove with a sacred lake, around which pavilions and altars are scattered. In a large space, the buildings were mainly distributed along the short sides, so that an open area remained in the center: on the right was the residence itself with three small temples and a garden with gazebos, fountains, canals and water crackers; to the left are spacious stables for horses, a hangar for chariots and the royal kennel. The Central Park had a large navigable artificial pond with a pier, islands and pavilions.
However, even the palaces, hanging gardens and well-groomed parks of Akhenaten, unusually luxurious and original, cannot be compared with the monumentality and enormous size of those that appeared 100 years later with Ramesses II and Ramesses III, the rulers of the world and great builders. Undoubtedly, the fame of their gigantic mansions and huge gardens was still alive in the first millennium, when Nebuchadnezzar - five centuries later - built his palace and famous hanging gardens in Babylon.
And if in the III millennium the palace competed in scale with the “abode of the pharaoh in the other world”, then in the II millennium the tomb could hardly be compared with the funeral temples and palaces where the pharaoh exercised power over the whole world.
Death of the pharaoh
Since the ruler was the incarnation of a deity, he had his own cult, both during life and after death. The death of the pharaoh was a great tragedy. After all, without a ruler, Egypt could not exist. His cult is very clearly expressed in the funeral rite. According to the Egyptians, the ruler retains his divine status in the afterlife and continues to rule there. Therefore, the late ruler was supposed to be worthily accompanied to the next world.
Initially, the funeral rite repeated the path of the sun from east to west. However, during the period of the Middle Kingdom this path changes, as it is the road to the realm of the dead of Osiris, where the sun moves in reverse. Even during the life of the pharaoh, preparations began for his funeral - they began to build a monumental necropolis - most often, in the form of a pyramid, many of which have survived to this day. Immediately after death, the body of the pharaoh was embalmed. Extracted internal organs to avoid decay processes. The body was treated with special balms and solutions. The corpse was wrapped in bandages in order to slow down the process of decomposition and cut off the access of air to the flesh. On a ceremonial boat, the body of the pharaoh was delivered to the foot of the pyramid. Only the priests and their close associates entered the sanctuary. After all the ceremonies, the tomb was sealed.
Like all pagans, the ancient Egyptians left things next to the ashes of the pharaoh that should have been useful to him "in the next world." It is these relics that have attracted "treasure hunters" for thousands of years. With each new pharaoh, a new era of Egypt began.
Dynasties of Egyptian pharaohs
Third millennium BC
3,000 years - I dynasty - The capital of Abydos (Tin), Upper Egypt - The birth of absolutism.
Narmer (Men, otherwise, Menes), the king of Upper Egypt, conquers the entire Nile Valley up to the Mediterranean Sea. The unification of the two kingdoms under the new symbol of the "white crown" of the South, connected to the "red crown" of the North. Abydos becomes the sacred capital of the god Osiris, here is the residence of the vizier of Lower Egypt and ten advisers of Upper Egypt. Heliopolis and Nekheb are transformed into sanctuary cities.
Akha founds the city of Memphis (Lower Egypt) and strengthens the southern borders. His tomb is like a palace with towers.
Huaji leads an expedition to Sinai.
Udimu officially proclaims the holiday of Heb-Sed, which marks the thirtieth anniversary of the reign of the pharaoh. Buildings made of processed stone with vaulted ceilings.
2850 years - II dynasty - Capital Memphis, Lower Egypt - Development of absolutism.
Hotepsekhemui, Neb-Ra, Niniter - the first kings of the dynasty.
Peribsen suppresses the uprising of the nomarchs of Upper Egypt and transfers the capital to Memphis, changes his title, declaring Horus instead of Set his god; buried at Abydos.
Khasekhem proclaims the cult of Horus as the state religion with the highest religious power concentrated in Heliopolis. Expedition in the heart of Nubia.
2770 years - III dynasty - Capital Memphis - Spread of absolutism in the field of religion.
Djoser combines the cult of the Sun with the cult of the pharaoh and seizes the power of the priest. Imhotep - ruler, vizier, high priest of Heliopolis - the first doctor and architect known in history, later deified by the Greeks under the name Asclepius (Aesculapius - among the Romans). Construction in Saqqara of the city-mausoleum of Djoser with a large stepped pyramid in the center. New expeditions to the Sinai and the spread of power to the South.
Sekhemkhet lays down a funerary complex with a stepped pyramid larger than that of Djoser, but does not complete it. Along all these borders, walls with fortresses are being built (12 km long along the bed of the Nile, at the level of the island of Philae, otherwise Philae, or Philae).
Sanakht, competing with his predecessors, laid, among other things, a mausoleum similar to the mausoleum of Djoser, but his tomb was simply installed in the place where the mourning temple of Unas later grew.
Khaba, the last king of the dynasty, who may have built a small pyramid at Zawiyyat al-Aryan.
2620 years - IV dynasty - Capital Memphis - Strengthening power.
Snefru goes down in history as a humane and kind pharaoh. Defends the borders Sudan opens mines to develop turquoise. Builds the first geometrically correct pyramid.
Cheops (Khufu) appoints his sons as high priests of Nekheb, the holy city opposite Nekhen, and 
Pe - the holy city opposite Butu (exiled priests will curse his memory). Builds the first great pyramid
with the city-necropolis around it.
Didufri (Rejedef) usurped power for a short time between the reigns of Cheops and Khafre. Begins construction of the pyramid at Abu Roash, left unfinished.
Khafre (Khafra) continues the centralization of political and religious power. Builds a second Great Pyramid with a giant tomb temple and a granite temple in the valley.
Mikerin (Menkaura), having returned to the priests part of the possessions confiscated by Cheops, went down in history as a fair and gentle pharaoh.
Shepseskaf returns to the fight against the power of the priests. During his reign, new necropolises with mastabas-type tombs and pyramids grow.
2500 years - Dynasty V - Capital Memphis - Crisis of power, the heyday of the cult of the Sun.
Userkaf, nephew of Menkaure, builds a pyramid at Saqqara.
Sahura builds the Bubast Canal (Bubastis), which connects the Mediterranean with the Red Sea and creates a strong navy. Undertakes the first expedition to the mysterious Kingdom of Punt. Builds several pyramids and a solar temple in Abusir.
Neferirkare loses legal and religious power. Builds a pyramid and several temples in Abusir.
Nyuserre interrupts the series of solar temples at Abusir and returns to building the pyramids at Saqqara.
Unas builds a pyramid, decorating the inside with the Pyramid Texts and the Wisdom of Ptah-Hotep, two of the most important Egyptian texts that have come down to us.
2350 years - VI dynasty - Capital Memphis - Collapse of absolutism.
Teti is trying to restore the central government, using the services of Nubian mercenaries. Grand viziers such as Kajemmi and Meri are practically the bearers of power. The highest flowering of art. Memoirs of the architect Menipt-Khank-Meri-Ra, "the court builder of the double palace".
Under Pepi (Pepi I), the importance of royal power falls with a simultaneous increase in the influence of viziers, great dignitaries and priests. Uni, the first minister, restores Egyptian rule in the Sinai and Palestine. The increased level of art is evidenced by the beautiful copper statue of the pharaoh and the amazing decoration of the tomb of Uni.
Pepi (Pepi II) reigned from the age of six to 100: the longest reign in history. It was, however, a nominal reign, since power was peacefully divided between clerical and secular rulers.
At the end of the VI dynasty, under pressure from the peoples who inhabited the border areas, especially the Bedouins, the central power was divided among the nomarchs.
2,180 years - Dynasties VII and VIII - Capital Memphis and Abydos - Exclusively nominal dynasties.
Heracleopolis remains loyal to Memphis, as the personal possession of the king. The various rulers of Egypt follow each other in an endless succession. The invasion of nomadic tribes from Asia and the sack of the cities of the Delta. Among the rulers of the South stand out: Idi, the king of Koptos, and Shemai, the ruler of Upper Egypt.
2,160 years - IX and X dynasties - The main capital of Herakleopolis, Middle Egypt - Lack of a single and legitimized power.
Neferkara (2130 - 2120 BC) establishes a monarchy as "given by God" (but not deified), where the king for the princes is "first among equals". Not all rulers recognize his primacy.
XI Dynasty - Capital of Thebes, Upper Egypt - Restoration of centralized power.
Sekhertani-Antef (sekhertovi) (2 120 - 2 118 BC) - self-proclaimed king, transfers power from Herakleopolis to Thebes.
Montuhotep I, "God Montu Satisfied", (2060 - 2010 BC) extends power to Lower Egypt, supported by the middle strata of society, interested in expanding trade throughout the territory. The construction of a grandiose temple-tomb in Deir el-Bahri with a pyramid, a colonnade and steps, as well as a necropolis in Thebes.
Montuhotep II and III restore the position of state vizier and supreme judge. Navigation on the Aegean Sea is resumed. An important caravan route between Koptos and by the red sea equipped with wells, storage facilities and a seaport.
Second millennium BC
1991 years - XII dynasty - The capital of Thebes - Expansion of the empire.
Amenemhat I, "Amon on top", (1991 - 1962 BC), the former vizier of Montuhotep III, supported by the people and the middle classes, also gains power over the nomarchs. The power of the cult of the Sun - Amon-Ra. Reclamation of the Faiyum oasis (grand drainage and irrigation works on an area of 2,000 km²). Transfer of borders beyond the third Nile threshold into the depths of Sudan. Construction of many fortifications in the border areas.
Sesostris I (Senusret) is the first pharaoh who, in order to continue the dynasty, introduced the institute of regency for his son.
Amenemhat II expands the empire to Megiddo in Palestine and Ugarit on the coast Syria .
Amenemhet III builds a grandiose residence in Fayum (Fayum), called by the Greeks "Labyrinth".
Sesostris III and his followers continue the expansion and unification of the country. At the borders, chains of fortifications grow, communicating with each other by a system of smoke signals. Revival of science and literature with such famous works as "The Book of Two Ways" and "Instructions of Amenemhet".
1785 years - XIII Dynasty - Capital of Thebes - Separation of power.
Sechemra marries the queen regent and assumes some of her power. Nubia separates from Upper Egypt.
1,745 years - XIV Dynasty, almost contemporary with the XIII Dynasty.
Neferhotep restores unity, above all, throughout the Delta. Restores protectorate over Byblos Lebanon . Hyksos, under pressure from the Indo-Europeans Central Asia(Hittites and Kassites), invade the fertile lands of the Delta, introducing the tradition of using a horse and cart, unknown to the Egyptians until now, and the cult of Baal.
1,700 years - XV Dynasty - Capital Avaris, Lower Egypt - Rule of the Hyksos.
Salitis - the first "shepherd king" of the Hyksos, who became the ruler of Lower Egypt. Founds a new capital, Avaris.
Apophis, defeated by the king of Upper Egypt, the last "shepherd king".
1622 years - XVI dynasty - The capital of Thebes - Restoration of power throughout Egypt.
Kamos (Kames) defeats and drives out the Hyksos from Central Egypt.
Ahmes (Amasis) conquers Nubia until Abu Simbel . Penetrates the Delta, destroys Avaris and pursues the last Hyksos all the way to Palestine. Returning, he suppresses the rebellion of the princes of the North and restores power over all of Egypt.
XVII Dynasty - A ghostly monarchy that existed in Lower Egypt during the reign of the Hyksos.
1580 years - XVIII Dynasty - The capital of Thebes and Akhetaten - The triumph of the great Egyptian empire throughout the ecumene.
Ahmes (1580 - 1558 BC), brother of Ahmes from the 16th dynasty, continues to strengthen and expand power.
Amenophis I, "Amon Satisfied" (1558 - 1530 BC) expands the borders to the Euphrates. The first clashes with the Hittites and Mitannians (northwestern Mesopotamia).
Thutmose I (1530 - 1520 BC) leads the cities of Thebes and Abydos to their highest prosperity. The temple of Karnak is enriched with pylons and gigantic obelisks; the Great Columned (Hypostyle) Hall appears. The cult of the sun god Amon is combined with the cult of Thoth.
Thutmose II (1520 - 1505 BC) marries Hatshepsut's half-sister. It pacifies the internal and external resistance to absolute power.
Hatshepsut (1505-1484 BC), her son's regent, rules for 20 years dressed in a man's dress and even with a false beard of the pharaohs. Equips the most important trade expeditions to the mysterious kingdom of Punt.
Thutmose III (1505 - 1450 BC) actually rules for 34 years after the death of his mother, becoming the most famous pharaoh. In Kadesh, beyond Byblos, he defeats the Mitannians; in Megiddo he defeats 330 Syrian princes; Karchemish, in northern Syria, crosses the Euphrates and again defeats the Mitannians, now in their territory (1483 BC). Just as victoriously, he captures fertile lands, vast as the Delta, with rich trading cities. Extends its power to the "islands of the great circle" (Crete, Cyprus and the Cyclades). He generously forgives the rebels and preserves the customs and religious traditions of the conquered territories. Egyptian culture and art spread throughout the ecumene (the world known in antiquity).
Amenophis II (1450 - 1425 BC) makes peace by marrying his son, the future Pharaoh Thutmose IV (1425 - 1408 BC), to Princess Mithenia, daughter of the Mitannian king Artatam.
Amenophis III (1408 - 1372 BC) maintains peace with neighboring states by marrying Tiu (or Tuya), the daughter of the Mitanni king Sutarn, and the daughter of the Babylonian king Kalimasin. Tiu has a strong influence on the pharaoh. First clashes with Suppilulima, king of the Hittites.
Amenophis IV, later Akhenaten, "pleasing to Aten", (1372 - 1354 BC) changes his name, when replacing the religion of Amon with the monotheistic and deeply mystical religion of Aten, according to which, all people are equal in love for the one God, whose prophet is the pharaoh. In the center of Egypt, he creates a new capital - the city of Akhetaten, the "horizon of the Aten", where he also moves the religious power from Thebes.
Nefertiti, "the fairest of the living", the Mitannian princess and wife of Akhenaten, has a strong influence on the renewal of customs, art and religion.
Tutankhaten, later Tutankhamun (1354 - 1345 BC), remains in Akhetaten, ruling under the regency of Nefertiti, and then, under the influence of the clergy, returns to Thebes and restores the supremacy of the cult of Amun. Died mysteriously at the age of 18. Nefertita, who married the old Eye, manages to retain power for another 4 years. But, with her death, the city of Akhetaton disappears, and with it the memory of the beautiful queen, and her burial place. Egypt falls into anarchy and poverty.
Horemheb (1340 - 1324 BC), a former friend of Akhenaten and a powerful military leader, renounces faith in Aten and destroys all traces of this religion (the memory of Akhenaten, the "heretic pharaoh", is cursed). Due to a plague in Asia, he makes peace with Mursili II, king of the Hittites. Restrains general impoverishment by brutally pursuing corruption.
1314 years - XIХ dynasty - Capitals of Tanis and Thebes - Permanent wars.
Ramesses (Ramses I) (1341 - 1312 BC), former military commander and vizier of Horemheb, "lord of all the earth", seeks power. Tanis (Per-Ramesses) chooses the capital of the empire, leaving Thebes, the capital of two kingdoms and the place of worship of the god Amun.
Seti I (1312 - 1298 BC) pushes back the Hittite king Muwatallah, advancing all the way to Sinai. Captures Phoenicia and occupies Kadesh, despite the stubborn resistance of the Hittites.
Ramesses (Ramses II) (1298 - 1235 BC) transfers the royal residence to Avaris and strengthens Tanis. In the first military campaign, he again repels the attack of the Hittites (18,000 people, 2,500 war chariots with sickle-shaped knives), but prudently stops in Kadesh. In the second campaign, it repels the Palestinian rebels, incited by the Hittites. In the face of a growing threat from the Assyrian king Shalmanassar, the Hittites and the Egyptians, implacable enemies for more than a century, sign the first international treaty in history, the guarantors of which are: the god Ra from Thebes for the Egyptians and the god Teshub (Teisheba) from Hattusa for the Hittites .
Merneptah (Merenptah) (1235 - 1224 BC) disperses the "sea peoples": Achaeans, Etruscans, Siculs, Lycians and Libyans, again threatening the Delta. Exodus of the Jews from Egypt.
Seti II is trying to contain the crisis of the economy and power. The Delta is once again the target of Libyan invasions.
1200 years - XX dynasty - The capital of Thebes - Revival and decline of centralized power.
Setnakht (Setnekht) breaks the Libyan hordes and returns the property they seized.
Ramses (Ramses III) (1198 - 1188 BC) continues to work to restore the state. In the very first military campaign, he puts an end to the raids of the "sea peoples". Siculi and Etruscans retreat into the distance Italy , the rest are in Libya . Remaining in the territory of Egypt assimilate or enter the army as mercenaries. A general conscription for national defense is introduced. Fighting against corruption and betrayal, spread even in the harem and among the viziers, the great pharaoh becomes the victim of another assassination attempt.
The next 7 pharaohs, under the name of Ramesses (Ramses), come to power as a result of endless palace conspiracies.
Ramesses (Ramses XI) (1100 - 1085 BC) tries in vain to resist the unlimited power of the high priest of Amun Amenhotep Herihor, who, having become a vizier, practically headed the kingdom.
1085 years - XXI Dynasty - Capitals of Tanis and Thebes - Power is divided into 2 branches.
Mendes, successor of Ramesses XI, governs Lower Egypt from Tanis.
Piankhi, son of Herihor, becomes pharaoh of Upper Egypt. He is followed by Pinujem I and his son Menkheperra.
The powerful Libyan clan from Heracleopolis, which drove the army of the Palestinian king Solomon to Megiddo itself, came to replace the XXI dynasty.
First millennium BC
950 years - XXIII Dynasty (Libyan) - Capital Bubast (Bubastis) - Attempt to achieve the former prestige.
Sheshonk (Sheshenk) I (950 - 929 BC), after the death of King Solomon, resumes the conquest of Palestine.
Osorkon (Userken) I (929 - 893 BC), the struggle against the power of the priests of Thebes. Upper Nubia separates from Egypt and, united with Sudan, creates a new state with its capital in Napata.
757 years - XXIII dynasty (Bubastides) - Capital Bubast (Bubastis) - Dynasty parallel to XXII, with the residence of rulers in the same capital.
Osorkon (Userken) III (757 - 748 BC) restores relations with the religious authorities of Thebes, establishing the position of "divine servant of Amun" and endowing the princess with this title.
730 years - XXIV dynasty (Sais) - Capital Sais - Brief truces.
Tefnakht (Tefnekht) (730 - 720 BC), the king of Sais, conquers Hermopolis and returns part of Lower Egypt. Exiled from the South by the king of Napata, Piankhi. Unites with neighboring peoples to protect against the devastating expansion of the Assyrians.
Bokhoris (Bekenrenef) (720 - 716 BC) seeks peace with the Assyrians. Raises the workers and the middle class out of poverty, persecuting the rich caste of priests. It was immortalized by the Greeks as a model of a just and generous ruler.
716 years - XXV dynasty (Ethiopian) - Capital of Napata, later Thebes - Contemporary of XXIII and XXIV dynasties.
Piankhi (751 - 716 BC) annexes Upper Egypt and Nubia.
Shabaka (716 - 701 BC) returns the capital to Thebes, invades Lower Egypt and concludes a friendly peace with Assyria.
Shabataka (701 - 689 BC) puts down a rebellion led by Hezekiah, king of Judah. Later defeated by the Assyrian king Sennacherib, he nevertheless managed to avoid defeat.
Taharka (689 - 663 BC), because of the rebellions of the princes of the Delta and the subsequent invasions of the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal, flees to distant Napata.
Tanut-Amon (663 - 655 BC) is overthrown as a result of the invasion of the Assyrians, who, taking advantage of the betrayal of the rulers of the North, plunder Thebes.
666 years - ХXVI dynasty (Sais) - Capital Sais - The rise of political and economic life.
Necho (Nechao, or Nikau), the king of Sais, gains power by shamefully submitting to the supremacy of Ashurbanipal.
Psamtik I (Psamtik) (663 - 609 BC), the son of Necho, conquers the Delta with Assyrian help and strengthens the monarchy of Upper Egypt, giving key posts to relatives. Freed from the Assyrians, united with the cities of the Eastern Mediterranean, and thereby encourages the emigration of the Greeks to the Delta.
Necho II (609 - 594 BC) reconstructs the canal to the Red Sea. His ships ply the entire Mediterranean Sea, and perhaps even go around Cape Horn in Africa.
Psamtik II (594 - 588 BC) conquers Nubia and the gold mines. Spreads the culture and ethics of the ancient Egyptian religion in the Mediterranean. Unsuccessful wars against Cyrene, Greek colony in the west of the Delta, and loss of prestige in Asia. Pharaoh is no longer the son of Osiris, and his power rests only on the lower classes.
Psamtik III (526 - 525 BC) is faced with the Persian king Cambinos, who has already captured all of his Egyptian lands. He is defeated in Pelusia, tries in vain to take revenge and commits suicide.
524 years - ХXVII dynasty (Persian) - Capitals Sais and Memphis - Continuation of the struggle for independence.
Cambyses, having conquered Egypt, is crowned in Sais and consecrated in Heliopolis, as the maternal pharaoh. Reigns mercifully and generously.
Darius I (522 - 484 BC) managed to improve the Egyptian economy. Reopens the channel to the Red Sea to connect the Indian Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea.
Xerxes and his successor Artaxerxes put down two great revolts in Lower Egypt.
Darius II (424 - 404 BC) puts down the third rebellion led by Amyrtheus.
404 years - ХXVIII dynasty - Capital Sais - Liberation from Persian rule.
Amyrtheus (404 - 398 BC), after the death of Darius II, liberates the country and basically restores the power of the Egyptians.
398 years - XXIX dynasty - Capital Mendes - Struggle for power.
Nephritis I, the leader of the Egyptian army, takes power into his own hands.
Achoris (390 - 378 BC) reconstructs the navy. Makes an alliance with Athens and Cyprus against Persia and Sparta.
378 years - XXIX dynasty (Sebennitskaya) - Capitals of Sebennit and Memphis - Loss of independence. Second Persian dominion.
Nectanebo I, the ruler of Sebennith, led a reeling power. The Persian king Artaxerxes II invades the Delta with an army of 200,000 men, but is stopped by the flood of the Nile.
Nectanebo II, betrayed by Greek mercenaries, flees to Upper Egypt.
Kabbas was declared pharaoh by the priests of Memphis, but after 2 years Egypt was conquered by Darius III. Unsuccessful resistance attempts; the surviving Egyptians cry out for help from the Macedonians.
Alexander the Great (Macedonian) (333 - 323 BC), having driven the Persians out of Egypt, he was greeted as the liberator and rightful heir of the pharaohs. An oracle from Luxor is declared as the son of the god Ra. Founds the new city of Alexandria (where he will be buried in 323 BC), which turns into an ideal capital and economic and Cultural Center throughout the ancient world. His heirs were half-brother Philip Arrhidaeus and Alexander Aegos, who was considered the son of Alexander and Roxana.
311 years - Ptolemaic or Lagid dynasty - Capital Alexandria - Return of absolute power. End of Ancient Egypt.
Ptolemy I Soter (306 - 285 BC), son of Lag (satrap, or ruler of Egypt, during the time of Alexander the Great), self-proclaimed king of all Egypt. Founds the city of Ptolemais, near Thebes, destroyed by the Assyrians. Reconquers Syria and the Aegean Islands.
Ptolemy II Philadelphus (285 - 246 BC) recovers Cyprus, Tire and Sidon. Concludes a treaty of friendship with Rome. Reopens the channel to the Red Sea. Active development of the Hellenic-Egyptian culture.
Ptolemy III Euergetes (246 - 221 BC) expands the borders and becomes "Lord of the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean." Alexandria is developing into one of the most important economic and commercial centers from Spain before India ; The Egyptian stater becomes the international currency.
Ptolemy IV Philopatra (221 - 203 BC), with whom the loss of possessions and the decline of this dynasty begins.
Ptolemy V Epiphanes (203 - 181 BC) receives Syria as a dowry of Cleopatra I, given to him as a wife by King Antichos. The luxury and licentiousness of the Ptolemies is accompanied by an increase in the social and economic poverty of all of Egypt, devastated by the raids of neighboring peoples. Rome acts as an ally and, in the end, interferes in the politics and state structures of Egypt.
Ptolemy XII Auletes (80 BC) returns to Alexandria thanks to Gabinius, the Roman governor in Syria.
Ptolemy XIII, the "New Dionysus", buys power over Egypt from the Roman Senate. Kills Pompey, seeking the mercy of Caesar, the new absolute ruler of Rome. Arriving in Egypt, Caesar marries Cleopatra VII , sister of Ptolemy, and declares himself the son of the god Amon, a descendant of the pharaoh. Caesar and Cleopatra dream of uniting Rome with Egypt into a single empire, surpassing even the empire of Alexander the Great, and leaving it to their son Caesarion.
Cleopatra VII, after the death of Caesar, is trying to streamline the economy of Egypt and asks for help from Antony, 
Caesar's successor Antony visits Cleopatra in Alexandria, and Caesarion becomes the new pharaoh. The conquest of Asian territories begins, but Rome, under the rule of Octavian, declares war on Egypt. The Egyptian fleet is defeated at Cape Promotions (Actium); Antony and Cleopatra commit suicide.
The voice of ancient Egypt did not cease completely with the Roman conquests. This voice, which has already received a deep resonance in the civilization of the Mediterranean, continues to sound powerfully and magically over the Nile. Even Roman emperors have cartouches with hieroglyphs and worship the Egyptian gods with their images in the temples that the Romans restore and build. The cult of Osiris is widespread throughout the empire and in Rome itself.
Nero (54 - 68 AD), in addition to restoring and updating monuments, even organizes expeditions to the headwaters of the Nile in search of its source.
Trajan (98 - 117 AD) restores the oldest canal from Bubast (Bubastis) to the Red Sea, most of which now coincides with the route of the Suez Canal.
Hadrian (117 - 190 AD) founds the city of Antinopolis in Egypt, visits the "colossi of Memnon" and the temples of Thebes, and remains fascinated by them to such an extent that he erects fantastic reconstructions of them in his gigantic villa Tivoli near Rome.
But, these are the last sparks: religious wars and the uprisings against foreign domination become more and more bloody, poverty and despair destroying all that is left of the cities. Writing and art end their journey in oblivion and contempt. A heavy sandy blanket spreads over the great past, almost destroying even the memory of it.
Tours to Egypt – specials of the day
Pharaoh is the highest position in the hierarchy of ancient Egyptian society. The very concept of "pharaoh" was not an official title and was used in order not to name the name and title of the king. This euphemism first appeared in the New Kingdom. Translated from the ancient Egyptian language, this concept means "great house", which meant the palace of the king. Officially, the title of the pharaohs reflected their possession of "both lands", that is, both Upper and Lower Egypt. In different eras, the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt had a different status, degree of concentration of power and influence in the state.
History of the pharaohs of ancient Egypt
Highest Influence pharaohs of egypt had during the Old Kingdom after Upper and Lower Egypt were united into a single state. This period is characterized by a decline in the arbitrariness and aggressiveness of the Egyptian monarchy along with the development of bureaucracy and the transition of most industries state economy under the direct control of the king. The power of the pharaohs during this period was rapidly sacralized. The pharaoh was considered one in the earthly and divine incarnations, and was, thus, an intermediary between the world of people and the gods. Until the 4th dynasty, the pharaohs were considered the earthly incarnation of the god Horus, while after death they were considered to be transformed into Osiris. In the future, the pharaohs began to be considered the sons of the sun god Ra.
The semi-divine essence of the pharaohs in the view of the Egyptians imposed on them the obligation to maintain world order (Maat) and to fight chaos and injustice in every possible way (Isfet). Therefore, the pharaoh was endowed with the ability to communicate directly with the gods through the construction of temples and sanctuaries and plentiful sacrifices. In the Old Kingdom, the authority of the pharaohs was so great that mourning after their death lasted ninety days in the country, and the death of the king was perceived as the greatest grief, a violation of the order and foundations of the universe. The accession of a new legitimate heir was understood as the greatest boon for the country and the restoration of a shaken position.
The maximum power of the pharaohs and their authority in Egyptian society was maintained during the Old Kingdom. After its fall and during the I transitional period, power in the country largely passed into the hands of the priests and the nobility, because of which the role of the pharaohs began to decline and no longer reached the same significance as under the Old Kingdom. Later, in the society of Ancient Egypt, traditions of individualism began to develop, which affected many areas of life, including the perception of the figure of the pharaoh. The moral and ideological dependence of the inhabitants of the country on the ruler was no longer so great, and the pharaohs began to maintain their authority mainly by aggressive campaigns to other countries.
However, the New Kingdom, characterized by a large number of conquests and a serious expansion of the state's possessions, fell apart as a result of the ever-increasing influence of temples, priests and rulers of individual provinces, as a result of which the power of the pharaohs completely ceased to enjoy the same authority as before. They ceased to seriously influence the lives of their subjects and neighboring states, and their role as intermediaries between the world of people and the world of gods was completely leveled. After Egypt was conquered by the Persians, the Persian kings were officially considered pharaohs, after them Alexander the Great took this title, and after his death, the Ptolemaic dynasty.
Titles of the pharaohs of Egypt
As already noted, "Pharaoh" was not the official name of the rulers of ancient Egypt. In fact, they were called "belonging to the Reed and the Bee" or "lords of both lands", reflecting in these titles their power over both parts of Egypt - Upper and Lower.
official pharaoh's naming, starting from the time of the Middle Kingdom and up to the beginning of Roman rule, necessarily consisted of five names. The first of them, the earliest in time of occurrence, was associated with the god Horus and reflected the belief of the people that the pharaoh was his earthly incarnation. The second name was associated with two goddesses - Nekhbet and Wadzhet - who were considered the patrons of Upper and Lower Egypt, respectively. This name symbolized the power of the pharaoh over them, embodied the power of the monarchy. The third name is golden. Its meaning has not been clarified, and two main versions associate it either with the sun (that is, the pharaoh was compared to the sun), or with gold, symbolizing eternity. The fourth name of the pharaoh is the throne name. It was given to him during the coronation. Finally, the fifth name of the Egyptian ruler is personal. His future king received at birth.
The pharaohs of the early dynasties are often known by the name Horov, since this part of the title appeared before the others. The rulers of the later dynasties, belonging to the Middle and New Kingdoms, are most often known by personal names and are also mentioned in scientific works.
Attributes of the pharaohs
Pharaohs were forbidden to appear in front of their subjects without a headdress, so among their attributes was a crown. Most often, it was a combination of the red crown of the ruler of Upper Egypt and the white crown of the ruler of Lower Egypt and was called "pshent"(Fig. 1). Both of these crowns also symbolized the patron goddesses of both parts of the country, who were often depicted on the single crown of the king. In addition to the single crown, the pharaohs sometimes wore a blue crown for military campaigns and a gold crown for various religious rites.
Rice. 1 - Pshent
Pharaohs also wore a scarf on their heads. This headdress was worn by all the inhabitants of the country, however, depending on the estate, it had different colors. The pharaohs wore golden scarves with blue stripes.
Another attribute of the pharaoh was a short rod with a hook on the top. This is one of the most ancient attributes of royal power, known since the time of Predynastic Egypt and, according to most researchers, descended from the shepherd's crook. Also, the pharaohs wore a whip, the Wass scepter, which had a forked lower end and a pommel in the form of a dog or jackal head, and a cross with a loop - ankh(Fig. 2), symbolizing eternal life.
Rice. 2 - Ankh
Also one of the attributes of the pharaohs was a false beard. She was always made artificially and worn to emphasize the power and masculine strength of the ruler. Female pharaohs, such as Hatshepsut, also wore beards. Often they had to wear them in order to pretend to be a man in front of their subjects.
The most famous pharaohs of Egypt
The ancestor of a unified Egypt is considered Pharaoh Menes, who, being the king of Upper Egypt, subjugated Lower Egypt and was the first to put on a double red and white crown. Despite the many references to Menes in the texts of Egyptian priests and Greek and Roman historians, he may also be a mythological figure.
The golden age of ancient Egypt is considered the reign of Pharaoh Djoser, the second representative of the III dynasty. It was under him that the construction of pyramids began - the tombs of the pharaohs. Djoser also conducted many military campaigns, subjugated the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt and drew the southern border of the state along the first Nile threshold.
Egypt reached a significant prosperity and Queen Hatshepsut. She equipped a trading expedition to Punt, was engaged in architecture, and also led conquest activities.
Pharaoh Akhenaten became famous as a religious reformer. He tried to abolish the cult of the old gods, replacing it with the cult of the pharaoh himself, moved the capital of the country to a new city and stopped the construction of temples. Akhenaten's reforms were not popular, so after his death they were largely canceled, and the name of the reforming pharaoh was forgotten.
The last great pharaoh of Egypt was Ramses II, who was able to restore his former power for a while as a result of many military campaigns. However, after his death, Egypt finally plunged into the abyss of civil strife, uprisings and wars, which led to its disintegration and conquest.
Loading...
