Over 8,000 years ago in ancient Egypt, before the pyramids and pharaohs, people argued over rights to use water from the Nile River. Over time, a single leader emerged to monitor the distribution of water, a role which became more important and evolved into the position of pharaoh. Pharaohs ruled as divine kings and heads of state, overseeing religious rituals, military forces, construction projects, and ensuring adequate food supplies and law and order.

1. Leader of Ancient Egypt

2.  8,000 years ago, before  What type of arguments
the Pyramids, before the might they have been
Sphinx, before the having?
Pharaohs... everyone
was using the Nile waters  Can you suggest a
but there were always solution to this problem?
arguments over who had
the rights to use it.
Put someone in charge of
monitoring the distribution
of water.

3. Over time the position became more and
more important. Eventually it developed into
the role that we now call Pharaoh

5. Deshret – The Red Crown of Hedjet– The White Crown of
Lower Egypt Upper Egypt

9. PSCHENT – The Double
Look at the Pharaoh on the left
Crown

10.  Pharaoh means, "Great House."
 In ancient Egypt, the Pharaoh had many
roles in his kingdom.
 He watched over the law courts and was
the chief of the temples.
 He was an army leader and controlled
trade expeditions.
 He supervised the water system and
stored the grain.

12.  Ancient Egyptians believed that each
living pharaoh was a living god.
 They believed that each pharaoh was the
human form of Horus.
 The pharaohs where very important to
Egypt because they pleased their gods so
good fortune would come to Egypt.
 The pharaohs were transported from place
to place on a chair carried by servants.

14.  There were many items which stood for
kingship:
 Crowns, which were headdresses with
jewels, stood for "Supreme Rank."
 False beards, which were worn by kings
and queens, symbolized royal authority.
 The sceptre also meant royal authority
and was carried by kings and queens.

16.  First, the pharaoh would go to the temple
to please and pray to their god.
 Next, the pharaoh would hear his daily
news from his trusted vizier.
 Then, the pharaoh would check the
architectures which were built by his
servants and officials.
 Finally, if the pharaoh had extra leisure
time, he would be entertained by his
servants, or spend time with his wife.