The Role of the Pharaoh Leader of Ancient Egypt

Picture This…  8,000 years ago, before the pyramids, before the sphinx, before the Pharaohs… everyone was using the Nile waters but there were arguments over who had the rights to use it  What types of arguments might they have been having?  Can you suggest a solution to this problem? Put someone in charge of monitoring the distribution of water!

 That person became King and had power over life and death  Over time the position became more and more important and eventually developed into the role we now call Pharaoh

 At first there were a couple of kings  Can you see them on the Narmer Palette, a primary source?

 Here is a hint… look for one of the two crowns Deshret – the red crown of Lower Egypt Hedjet – the white crown of Upper Egypt

 Now… try again

 This is a story that tells how the “couple” of kings merged into one Pharaoh  The story of Narmer who conquered Lower Egypt and became the first Pharaoh  Can you work it out?

 Here is another source… How can you tell there is only one pharaoh now? Pschent – Double Crown of Egypt Pharaoh is on the left

Role of the Pharaoh  Pharaoh means “great house”  Had many roles in his kingdom  Watched over law courts  Chief of the temples  Led army  Controlled trade expeditions  Supervised water system  Stored grain

Role of the Pharaoh, cont’d  Ancient Egyptians believed that each pharaoh was a living god in the human form of Horus  Pharaohs pleased the gods which brought good fortune to all of Egypt  Transported on a chair carried by servants

Pharaoh Symbols  Items which stood for kingship:  Crowns, which were headdresses with jewels, stood for “Supreme Rank”  False beards, worn by kings and queens, stood for royal authority  Scepter carried by kings and queens also meant royal authority

A Day in the Life of a Pharaoh  Please the gods by going to the temple(s) and praying  Hear daily news from trusted Vizier  Check on building projects  Entertained by servants or spend time with wives (if he had leisure time)

Sources  Trekearth.com  Studyblue.com  Ancientegypt.co.uk  Goddesschess.blogspot.com  Redbubble.com  Euler.sul.edu