Role of the Pharaoh

Fact 1 on Role of the Pharaoh:

The pharaoh was the focal point of the nation and unified the people under one ruler. Before the pharaohs, and the unification of Egypt, the country had no central government and local leaders fought for power and dominance. Without a powerful ruler, such as the king, the country would be embroiled in chaotic, constantly changing leaders and the threat of civil war.
 

Fact 2 on Role of the Pharaoh:

The main role and duties of the pharaoh were as  the head of law and administration in ancient Egypt, the head of the government, the high priest of all temples and the commander of the army. His main roles included:

Head of the State
Head of the Nation
Head of the army
Supreme Religious Leader
 

Fact 3 on Role of the Pharaoh:

As head of the army he had the power to ensure order in the land and protect the people from foreign invaders.
 

Fact 4 on Role of the Pharaoh:

Successful military strategies and campaigns would increased the lands and therefore wealth of Egypt extending the influence of the ancient Egyptian Empire.
 

Fact 5 on Role of the Pharaoh:

The kings of Egypt governed the country with his family and nobles. He appointed government officials to assist in the governance of the kingdom. The most powerful officials were the  Vizier (chief councillor) and the Nomarchs (who governed regions of the kingdom on behalf of the kings).
 

Fact 6 on Role of the Pharaoh:

As head of the state and government of Egypt he was responsible for increasing the wealth of the country by imposing taxes on the people and regulating trade. He was also responsible for initiating trading expeditions in different countries and making alliances with different countries against common enemies.
 

Fact 7 on Role of the Pharaoh:

He was also responsible for the architecture and the new buildings erected in ancient Egypt. The kings of ancient Egypt were entitled to employ as many of their subjects as they wanted in forced labor who worked on constructing the pyramids, temples and tombs in ancient Egypt without any pay.
 

Fact 8 on Role of the Pharaoh:

Pharaohs were absolute monarchs. Their words were law. Those that broke his laws would suffer the consequences.
 

Fact 9 on Role of the Pharaoh:

The crook and flail were the ancient Egyptian symbols of royal authority and emphasized the duties of the pharaohs. The crook symbolized the role of the king as the 'shepherd' of the people and the flail symbolized his as the provider of food for the people and also reflected his duties in relation to the law and discipline.

Fact 10 on Role of the Pharaoh:

Failure to perform his state duties and responsibilities would be extremely serious. Failure to perform religious duties would be viewed as sacrilegious. Such transgressions would result in dire consequences for the land of Egypt and the pharaoh would be to blame.
 

Fact 11 on Role of the Pharaoh:

The king, and all Egyptians, were expected to uphold the 'Spirit of Ma'at' ensuring order and justice in the land using basic principles of truth, morality and fairness according to ancient 'Wisdom Texts'. He was the chief judge in ancient Egypt.
 

Fact 12 on Role of the Pharaoh:

The pharaohs adopted the divine status, claiming ancestry from the gods which made them suitable to undertake the role of emissary or mediator with the gods.
 

Fact 13 on Role of the Pharaoh:

Formal religious rituals centred around the pharaohs who were believed to be descended from the gods and held the divine power of kingship that was incarnated in him. The pharaoh deputized for Horus, the son of Osiris, who was the divine ruler over the whole of Egypt. He derived his power from the sun god Ra.