Pharaohs is the plural form of the word pharaoh, which refers to the ancient Egyptian rulers. The term pharaoh is derived from the Egyptian word "per-aa," meaning "great house" or "palace." The pharaohs ruled over Egypt for thousands of years, from around 3100 BC until the Roman conquest in 30 BC. They were considered to be divine beings and were considered the highest authority in ancient Egyptian society. The pharaohs were responsible for maintaining order, leading military campaigns, and overseeing religious ceremonies. They were often depicted as powerful and god-like figures, with intricate tombs such as the famous pyramids serving as their final resting places.
Pharaohs
Pharaohs were the heads of state and religious leaders of ancient Egypt.
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Subjects
Anthropology, Archaeology, Social Studies, Ancient Civilizations
Temple of Nefertiti
Ancient Egyptians carved giant statues of Ramesses II and Nefertiti at the Temple of Nefertiti in Abu Simbel, Egypt.
Photograph by Thomas J. AbercrombieArticle Vocabulary
As ancient Egyptian rulers, pharaohs were both the heads of state and the religious leaders of their people. The word “ pharaoh ” means “Great House,” a reference to the palace where the pharaoh resides. While early Egyptian rulers were called “kings,” over time, the name “ pharaoh ” stuck.
As the religious leader of the Egyptians, the pharaoh was considered the divine intermediary between the gods and Egyptians. Maintaining religious harmony and participating in ceremonies were part of the pharaoh ’s role as head of the religion. As a statesman, the pharaoh made laws, waged war, collected taxes, and oversaw all the land in Egypt (which was owned by the pharaoh ).
Many scholars believe the first pharaoh was Narmer, also called Menes. Though there is some debate among experts, many believe he was the first ruler to unite upper and lower Egypt (this is why pharaohs hold the title of “lord of two lands”). Pharaohs were typically male, although there were some noteworthy female leaders, like Hatshepsut and Cleopatra . Hatshepsut , in particular, was a successful ruler, but many inscriptions and monuments about her were destroyed after her death—perhaps to stop future women from becoming pharaohs .
After their deaths, many pharaohs were entombed and surrounded by riches they were meant to use in the afterlife . Explorers and archaeologists have discovered these tombs and learned a great deal about ancient Egyptian society from them. One very famous example was in 1922 when archaeologist Howard Carter discovered the tomb of King Tutankhamen, a pharaoh who died when he was only nineteen.
How do you spell pharaohs
Pharaoh
The ruler of ancient Egypt was called pharaoh . Pharaohs were looked upon as more than rulers. They were gods chosen to lead the people and maintain order, and provided an important link between the Egyptian people and their gods. This word comes from "per-ao" or "great house." The title shows respect for the king by referring to him as the palace where government decisions were made. Egypt was usually ruled by a man, although a few women did rule in their own right.
This carving of Seti I shows the great ruler who restored order to the kingdom and returned Egyptian art and architecture to the powerful style of past dynasties. Seti is depicted as strong and forceful, wearing the rulers nemes headdress and false beard. The beard connects Seti I to Osiris, the god of the underworld who reigns for all time. Since Egyptian rulers belonged to the realm of the gods, they were represented as eternally strong and youthful. Setis muscular shoulders and strong gaze suggests that he not only maintained order, but also provided strong leadership for the people.
We know this is Seti because his name appears on the back of the sculpture in a cartouche. A cartouche is an oblong frame designed to enclose the name of a ruler.
© Michael C. Carlos Museum of Emory University,
Memorial Art Gallery of the University of Rochester and Dallas Museum of Art
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Pharaoh or Pharoah
Pharaoh is the title given to ancient Egyptian rulers. Pharaoh is also used as a proper noun in the Bible. Today, referring to someone as a pharaoh means that he is a tyrant. The adjective form is pharaonic.
Pharaoh comes from the Egyptian pr-‘o, which means great house.
American Pharoah is a race horse who is the twelfth Triple Crown Winner, having won the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. He is the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed in 1978. American Pharoah’s name was picked in a contest held by the racing manager, the original entry was misspelled and entered into the Jockey Club’s registration site with the misspelling. Now, American Pharoah has become a trademarked name with the incorrect spelling of Pharoah instead of the correct spelling, pharaoh.
Examples
Visitors to the Hockamock and Wampanoag Kennel Clubs’ annual dog shows, being held today through Sunday, June 25 to 28, at the Crackerbarrel Fairgrounds, will be afforded a great chance to see a rare breed: the pharaoh hound. (The Sun Chronicle)
It has been said that the period between 760 BCE to 656 BCE in Egypt was the ‘age of the black pharaohs’. (Popular Archaeology)
‘The internet told me I was going to be an ancient Egyptian Pharaoh,’ the 40-year-old told Sunday Style magazine of his role in the Ridley Scott directed film. (The Daily Mail)
His next start less than a month away, Triple Crown winner American Pharoah continued preparations Monday with what Zayat Stables racing manager Justin Zayat called an “easy” workout. (The Courier-Journal)
California Chrome can commiserate with American Pharoah, whose name was misspelled on his Triple Crown blanket donned after Saturday’s Belmont Stakes. (The Courier-Journal)
As American Pharoah gained prominence, his owners — Zayat Stables, led by Ahmed Zayat — were asked about the seemingly mistaken rendering of pharaoh. (The New York Times)
pharaoh
Recent Examples on the Web Egyptian pharaohs drank wine; so did some Chinese emperors. — Alex Mayyasi, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Nov. 2023 To strengthen the similarities between Jesus and Moses, this argument goes, the authors of Matthew had Herod threaten Jesus in the same manner that the pharaoh threatened the Hebrew children. — Aaron Gale, Discover Magazine, 18 Dec. 2023 Not all researchers have accepted the prevailing theory that the cause of the sickly King Tutankhamun’s death was that the the famous pharaoh succumbed to malaria. — Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 16 June 2023 Other artifacts demonstrating the artistic innovation of the pharaoh’s reign include golden masks, carved sarcophagi, ornate jewelry and even a mummified lion cub. — Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Nov. 2023 The pyramids and the pharaohs became sources of pride for these Afrocentrists — and Cleopatra, for all her Greek blood, a potential heroine of the movement. — Vivian Yee, New York Times, 10 May 2023 My dinner party fact is about the Egyptian pharaoh Cleopatra. — Chris Klimek, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Sep. 2023 Billy Porter was carried in by six shirtless pharaohs and flew gold wings. — USA TODAY, 8 Aug. 2023 Miles Davis, Prince and Erykah Badu have all borrowed inspiration from the pharaohs for lyrics, jewelry and more. — Vivian Yee, New York Times, 19 June 2023 See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pharaoh.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
They were often depicted as powerful and god-like figures, with intricate tombs such as the famous pyramids serving as their final resting places. The history of the pharaohs is a fascinating topic, and their legacy can still be seen in the rich cultural and architectural heritage of ancient Egypt..
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