1. In Ancient Egyptian Society
The Pharaoh
In Ancient Egyptian Society

2. Social Hierarchy
The position of Pharaoh was the most important role in Ancient Egyptian Society. To rule effectively, he needed the support of:
The vizier (acted like a prime minister)
Nomarchs (governors of the different regions or nomes)
Officials to maintain law and order
Priests supervised religious practices throughout Egypt.
The leader of the army was often the Pharaoh or his son.
Scribes were one of the most important people in Ancient Egypt. Involved in all levels of government, religion and the army.

3. The Pharaoh (‘great house’)
According to legend, Menes (or Narmer) was the first king to unite Upper and Lower Egypt about 5000 years ago
People called him “lord of the two lands”
Overtime, the pharaoh came to wear a double crown
Combined the red crown of Lower Egypt with the white crown of Upper Egypt

6. The Pharaoh (‘great house’)
They ruled Egypt for over 3000 years
Usually a woman only ruled if she was a close relative of the previous pharaoh and the heir was too young to rule
Hatshepsut was one of the few female pharaohs

7. The Pharaoh’s Power
People referred to the ruler as pharaoh because it was disrespectful to call him by his name
He decided what was law
His people believed he made laws for the entire universe
He was the main landowner
Demanded heavy taxes in the form of goods
He was viewed as a god, a protector and the leader in battle
He was descended from Re, the sun god, and the spirit of Horus lived within him

8. The Pharaoh's Power The people expected that he would make sure that:
The Nile flooded each year
People had enough to eat
The gods looked kindly on Egypt
Egypt’s army could defend against foreign enemies
Truth or ma’at was at the heart of Egyptian life

9. Ma’at Represented justice, order, truth and balance
Ideas at the heart of Egyptian society
Brought by the gods
Must be upheld for the society to survive
Represented as a goddess or as a single ostrich feather
If you didn’t live according to ma’at, you would suffer ill fortune in both this life and in the afterlife

10. Rights In theory, every free person could expect to be treated equally
The law gave both men and women legal status and economic rights
Purchase and sell land
Make contracts
Participate in court cases
Divorce their partners
Slaves also had rights unlike in other ancient societies
Ma’at required that they be well treated and that their children were born ‘free’

11. The Pharaoh’s Wives Pharaoh’s began marrying in their childhood
They usually had many wives
Including their sisters, half-sisters and other female relatives
This encouraged the loyalty and support of family members
Kept property and wealth within the family (passed from mother to daughter)
Kept the blood line pure
Was what the gods did

12. Activity
Crown the King activity