PHARAOHS
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Neferchichi's Tomb PHARAOHS |
Imagine what it must have been like to be an ancient king of Egypt. You have total and absolute power over everyone and everything! The crops grown by farmers, the crafts created by artisans, and the lands conquered by soldiers all belong to you. All the wealth of the country is yours! If you want an impressive temple built in your name, just give the order and your people will build it. You (and everyone else) believe that Ra, the falcon-headed god of the sun, is your father- so you are a god, too! Mere humans have to kneel with their foreheads on the floor to show their respect to you. Because you are a god, they are forbidden to talk to you or even say your name. So instead of addressing you directly, they have to call you pharaoh, which means "the great palace." That way, they are referring to your grand home instead of your person. From the moment you become pharaoh, planning and construction on your burial tomb begins. As a god, you'll need special accommodations for the inevitable day when you go on to join with Osiris, the god of the afterlife. There is a downside to being a pharaoh, though. Since no one outside your family has divine royal blood, you'll have to marry one of your sisters. Gross!
After a pharaoh died, his oldest son would inherit the position. But what if he didn't have any sons? This wasn't usually a problem since pharaohs had many wives, who bore many children. In fact, Ramses II had over 100 children! The throne would be handed down throughout the family, generation after generation.
There were exceptions, though. A dynasty (family of rulers) could end if a pharaoh had no male heirs to inherit his throne. Or a rival could conquer a reigning pharaoh and establish himself as the new king. Even foreign invaders could come in and take the throne. In all, Egypt had 31 dynasties until the Greeks took over in 332 BC. The Greeks ruled as pharaohs, blending their culture with that of Egypt.
Historians divide Egypt's history into several major time periods, where particular events mark the end of one period or the beginning of the next. Most dates are approximate and may vary from one source to another:
Predynastic Period (5200 BC to 3100 BC): First settlers of the Nile Valley hunt and fish, later switch to farming. Archaic Period (3100 BC to 2700 BC): Many kings rule the several districts spread throughout Egypt. A single leader conquers and unifies all of Egypt under one rule. Old Kingdom (2700 BC to 2181 BC): Pyramids become the tomb of choice for pharaohs. Egypt becomes a mighty nation. First Intermediate Period (2181 BC to 2133 BC): The government crumbles and civil war breaks out as several rival kingdoms fight for control of Egypt. Middle Kingdom (2133 BC to 1633): Egypt is reunited and once again becomes rich and powerful. Egypt expands into Nubia, and art and literature flourish. Second Intermediate Period (1633 BC to 1567 BC): Hyksos invaders rule Egypt for over 65 years. Bummer... but at least the Egyptians learned about bronze, new weapons, and horse-drawn chariots from them. New Kingdom (1567 BC to 1085 BC): A group of Egyptian princes drive the Hyksos out of Egypt. Egypt becomes a huge empire. Lots of conquering, lots of building projects, and lots of trading. Third Intermediate Period (1085 BC to 525 BC): Economic troubles and civil wars weaken Egypt. There are up to 4 kings ruling different parts of Egypt at the same time. Late Period (525 BC to 332 BC): The Persians rule Egypt, and the Egyptians aren't happy about it. Graeco-Roman Period (332 BC to AD 641): The time of Greek and Roman rulers and then the ultimate end of Egyptian culture. |
Below is a list of the pharaohs of Egypt, including the time span of their reign (when known). Clicking on the underlined links will give you a biography of that particular ruler. DYNASTY 1 DYNASTY 2 DYNASTY 3 DYNASTY 4 DYNASTY 5 DYNASTY 6 DYNASTY 7 DYNASTY 8 DYNASTIES 9 & 10 DYNASTY 11 DYNASTY 12 DYNASTY 13 DYNASTY 14 DYNASTY 15 DYNASTY 16 DYNASTY 17 DYNASTY 18 DYNASTY 19 DYNASTY 20 HIGH PRIESTS AT THEBES DYNASTY 21 DYNASTY 22 DYNASTY 23 DYNASTY 24 DYNASTY 25 DYNASTY 26 DYNASTY 27 DYNASTY 28 DYNASTY 29 DYNASTY 30 DYNASTY 31 MACEDONIAN KINGS PTOLEMAIC DYNASTY |
