The ancient Egyptian Pharaoh was believed to have received his authority from the gods. He was not only the political leader of ancient Egypt but he was the religious leader as well. The Pharaoh, being a king-priest, helped keep a balance to what the ancient Egyptians referred to as Maat. According to the ancient Egyptians, Maat would be in tact so long as the Pharaoh and the people kept up with their religious ceremonies, and also obeyed the laws set for them (Kristensen, 2002).
‘Lord of the two lands’
The Pharaoh’s responsibilities as the political ruler of Egypt can be compared to almost any monarch around this time. The Pharaoh’s duties ranged from commanding the army, to settling legal disputes. The Pharaoh, Menes, is credited with uniting Upper and Lower Egypt into one nation, therefore the Pharaoh is known as ‘Lord of the two lands’ (http://touregypt.net/01dyn01.htm).
‘High Priest of every Temple’
The Pharaoh was the religious leader of Egypt, therefore he was known as ‘The High Priest of every temple.’ As the religious leader of Egypt, it was the Pharaoh’s responsibility to lead sacred rituals. Also, the Pharaoh decided on the religion for his people. Egypt was a generally polytheistic society, until the reign of the Pharaoh Akhenaten. Akhenaten imposed a monotheistic religion on the people of Egypt, when he tried to make them worship the god Amen. After Akhenaten died the Egyptian society went back to their polytheistic religion and tried to wipe of every trace of Akhenaten.
Bibliography
http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/pharaoh/home.html
Kristensen, W.B. The role of the Pharaoh. 2002
http://www.touregypt.net/godsofegypt/roleofthepharaoh.htm
http://touregypt.net/01dyn01.htm
Written by Rachel Simmons, 2003
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