Download r EQ - What two types of power did Pharaoh`s have in Egypt? EQ

Pharaoh - EGYPTIAN Social Structure
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Hierarchy & Patriarchy
Ph
Priests
Military Leaders
Merchants
Peasants
Slaves
1. EQ - What two types of power did Pharaoh’s have in Egypt?
2. EQ - Why can Egypt’s government be considered a theocracy?
As one can readily see from the social pyramid above, the most powerful person in ancient Egypt
was the pharaoh. Individuals from different social classes were not considered equal. Most
Egyptians were peasants/farmers and slaves was the largest social class but not considered
Egyptian. The pharaoh was the political and religious leader of the Egyptian people, holding the
titles: 'Lord of the Two Lands' and 'High Priest of Every Temple'.
As 'Lord of the Two Lands' the pharaoh was the ruler of Upper and Lower Egypt. He owned all of
the land, made all the laws, collected all the taxes, and defended Egypt against foreigners.
As 'High Priest of Every Temple', the pharaoh represented the gods on Earth. He performed
rituals and built temples to honor the gods. Egypt’s government could be called a theocracy
because in a theocracy those who hold religious power rule.
The Egyptian social and government structure lasted over 3,000 years and influenced all
subsequent civilizations such as the Persian, Greek, and Roman.
Many pharaohs went to war when their land was threatened or when they wanted to control
foreign lands. If the pharaoh won the battle, the conquered people had to recognize the Egyptian
pharaoh as their ruler and god and offer him the finest and most valuable goods from their land.