Pharaohs were the political and religious leaders of ancient Egypt, holding the titles of "Lord of the Two Lands" and "High Priest of Every Temple." The word "pharaoh" comes from the Egyptian word for the royal residence, which became associated with the ruler. Pharaohs ruled Egypt at the same time its hieroglyphic writing system was developed between 3100 BCE and 400 CE. Ancient Egyptians wore simple linen garments, with pharaohs and men wearing wrap around skirts and women wearing sheath dresses. Religious traditions grew more prominent over time in Egypt and included beliefs about the afterlife and funerary practices like pyramid tombs for pharaohs, the most

1. PHARAOHS
B Y A M A R Z E I N
2 0 1 6

2. WHO ARE PHARAOHS?
• The Pharaoh in ancient Egypt was the political and religious
leader of the people and held the titles 'Lord of the Two
Lands’ and 'High Priest of Every Temple’. The word 'pharaoh’
is the Greek form of the Egyptian 'pero’ or 'per-a-a’, which
was the name for the royal residence. The name of the
residence became associated with the ruler and, in time, was
used exclusively for the leader of the people.

5. ALPHABET
• The Egyptian alphabet was a visual
one, based on symbols which each
have a picture that represented a
sound. It was based on 42
hieroglyphics, some of which were
used interchangably. This written
language was formed around
3100 BCE, the same time the
Pharaohs began to rule, and it
lasted until 400 CE, at which time
Egypt adopted Coptic, a Greek-
based alphabet, and then Arabic

6. COPTIC

7. CLOTHINGS
• In ancient Egypt, linen was
by far the most common
textile
• The pharaohs would wear
leopard skins over their
shoulders and added a lion’s
tail that would hang from
their belt.
• The men wore wrap around
skirts known as the Shendyt
• Ancient Egyptian women
often wore simple sheath
dresses called kalasiris
• Children wore no clothing
until 6 years old. Once they
turned six years old they
were allowed to wear
clothing to protect them

9. RELIGION
• The popular religious tradition grew more prominent in the course of Egyptian history..
Another important aspect of the religion was the belief in the afterlife and funerary
practices.

11. PYRAMIDS
• The Egyptian pyramids are ancient pyramid-shaped masonry structures located in
Egypt.
• Most were built as tombs for the country's pharaohs
• The most famous Egyptian pyramids are those found at Giza, on the outskirts of Cairo.
Several of the Giza pyramids are counted among the largest structures ever built.