Ancient Egypt was ruled for many years by a group of kings and queens more commonly referred to as pharaohs. During more than 3000 years of the country’s vast history it was governed as a theocracy. The pharaohs were considered divine gods themselves and, therefore, allowed to wield religious power comparable to that of a priest.
However, the pharaoh was not just the religious head of state. He (or she) had ultimate control over the government, the law, and the military. Their power was supreme and their wealth was unprecedented since they owned all of the property and land found within the entire country.
Unlike divine beings, however, pharaohs exhibited hands-on rule of Egypt. They often participated in, or at the very least approved, every structure built. They ruled over every court case and they alone made decisions with regard to the fate of their people.
Some pharaohs were more famous that others. Some were cruel, while others were at least borderline benevolent. All were respected in some way. Let’s touch upon some of the most notable:
Khufu, of the fourth dynasty is given credit for the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza; the largest pyramid ever built and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It, of course, still stands today.
Inscriptions in the granite indicate that Khufu sent troops to Nubia and the Sinai Peninsula to keep the Bedouin tribes in line in order to ensure the safe keeping of an important turquoise mine located there.
While those two achievements may be somewhat impressive, Khufu himself was anything but. History records him as a terrible tyrant who used people in inexplicably cruel ways in order to ensure his so-called legacy of wealth and power.
Senusret III, of the 12th dynasty, brought about reforms in Egypt by establishing three important administrative districts that led to the internal stability of the country. His plan allowed him to focus on the unification of Egypt and to devise methods for strengthening its borders.
Senusret fought many campaigns against the Nubians in an effort to expand the southern borders of Egypt much further than any pharaoh before him. He also oversaw the building of a series of forts to protect the land and arranged for the development of a canal that would allow troops and supplies to move easily throughout the country.
His many campaigns also allowed Senusret to gain enough wealth to rebuild some of the country’s temples as well as to build several new projects, one of which was his pyramid at Dahshur.
Tuthmosis III assumed the throne of Egypt upon the death of his stepmother Hatshepsut, who had usurped his place and taken the role of pharaoh from him. Perhaps that is why he worked so hard to make his own mark during his rule.
Tuthmosis is credited with at least 17 military campaigns, which resulted in the capture of more than 350 cities and land expansion greater than any pharaoh before or since. He was also a great builder, erecting memorials that celebrated all of his accomplishments.
Amenhotep III took the throne as a child and ruled for more than 40 years. Egypt under his rule experienced a period of great peace and prosperity. He negotiated foreign relations with other countries, developed trade plans, and found new ways to mine both gold and gems that resulted in untold wealth not only for him, but also for his people.
Cleopatra, the last ruler of the Ptolmaic line, was Egypt’s most famous queen. I’ll cover her more in depth in a follow-up article.
Other pharaohs of note include:
Mentuhotep I, who was torn more for tearing Egypt apart than for doing anything of positive note;
Tutankhamun, who became even more famous in death;
Hatshepsut, Egypt’s first female to pronounce herself pharaoh (see my separate article on her); and
Ramesses II, better known as Ramesses the Great, Egypt’s longest ruling pharaoh.
Few kings or queens in history received as much attention, inspired as much awe, or generated as much controversy as the pharaohs of Egypt. Even thousands of years later, people continue to be enthralled with their lives and intrigued by their deaths. Time has not diminished their power and probably never will.
