The pharaohs were the kings of ancient Egypt, seen as living links between people and the gods. This guide explains how they ruled, the symbols they wore, how they lived, how they were buried and why they still matter, with places you can visit to see their monuments.
A pharaoh was both a political leader and a religious figure who kept order, called maat, in the country. Kings were linked to Horus in life and to Osiris after death. Egypt had about thirty dynasties across roughly 3,000 years.
Kings wore the double crown for Upper and Lower Egypt, carried the crook and flail, and wore a false beard and the cobra on the brow. Their names were written in cartouches. See our hieroglyphics guide.
Pharaohs lived in palaces with servants, officials, craftsmen and priests. Their days mixed ceremony, administration, temple duties and military leadership. Few palaces survive because they were built of mud brick, but temples and tombs remain.
Early kings were buried in pyramids and later kings in rock-cut tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Bodies were mummified and tombs were filled with objects for the afterlife. See the Giza Pyramids and the Valley of the Kings guide.
The pharaohs left temples, pyramids and monuments that now draw visitors from all over the world. Ramesses II built Abu Simbel, Hatshepsut built a temple at Deir el-Bahari and Tutankhamun became famous after his tomb was found in 1922. See the Abu Simbel guide and the Hatshepsut Temple guide.
Tutankhamun is the best known today, while Ramesses II and Khufu are among the most powerful.
To protect the body and the goods needed for the afterlife.
No. Sobekneferu, Hatshepsut and Cleopatra VII ruled as women.
At Giza, Saqqara, Luxor, Karnak, Abu Simbel and in the museums of Cairo.
The pharaohs are best met through their monuments. Start with the Giza Pyramids, then add Luxor for the royal tombs and temples.
Book this experience: Giza Pyramids and Egyptian Museum Day Tour from $30.
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