Kings of Egypt: list, history, interesting facts and features

The heritage of the most developed ancient civilization, which originated in the Nile valley, is priceless for descendants. Famous historical monuments all over the world store many secrets, and scientists of the whole world are struggling unsuccessfully over the riddles of the construction of giant pyramids. Ancient Egypt is in no hurry to share secrets, but we can tell about the exact facts of the reign of kings.

A Few Facts About the Pharaohs

For several millennia, the state was ruled by pharaohs - governors of God on earth, who, according to legends, possess magical powers. They regulated all spheres of life of the Egyptians, and the high priests considered themselves their servants, although some kings became puppets in their hands.

Residents believed that the sun rises and the ripening of the harvest depends on the ruler. And if there were terrible epidemics among animals and people, wars began, this meant discontent of the gods with their governor.

The kings of Egypt did not have the right to confuse their blood with the human, so they married first to their sisters, and only then married to ordinary women. But the throne was inherited only by a child born of a relative.

Women, in which the divine blood flowed, had great power and even ruled Egypt until their sons reached maturity.

Who was the founder of the first dynasty of the pharaohs?

Scientists do not know exactly when the Egyptian state was born, but after studies it was found that about three thousand years ago it already existed.

The founder of the first dynasty is the king of Ming. He built a fortress, which later became the capital and royal residence. From Memphis, Pharaoh ruled the united Egypt, and his personality raises much controversy among scientists. Many experts believe that the Ming is the designation of the first three pharaohs of the pre-dynastic period, and all disputes are related to the lack of written sources.

Early Kingdom

The next era, about which not so much is known, is the Early Kingdom. The kings of Egypt, the first and second dynasties (Chorus Aha, Hasehem), who brutally suppressed all the uprisings, united the country in a centralized state.

During this period, the manufacture of papyrus begins, and the widespread use of writing influences the culture of other eras. Egypt becomes a country with a highly developed agriculture.

Ancient Kingdom

The ancient kingdom is characterized by constant wars. The kings of Egypt the third - the eighth dynasty (Snofru, Joser) conquer the lands of northern Nubia and seize the copper mines in the Sinai Peninsula.

Pharaohs have tremendous power, and the state is transformed into a centralized despotism.

At the behest of King Joser begins the construction of the tombs in Giza.

During the reign of the fifth dynasty, the power of the pharaohs begins to weaken, and Egypt is divided into administrative units - nomas.

Middle Kingdom

The reign of the twelfth dynasty falls on the Middle Kingdom. At this time, wars are waged with neighboring tribes, defensive fortresses are being built.

The kings (pharaohs) of Ancient Egypt - Amenemhet I, Senusert III - were incredibly revered by the population. During this period, tools are being improved and tools of bronze appear. A powerful push is given to the development of agriculture by the creation of an irrigation system.

The new kingdom

In the New Kingdom, under which the 18th-20th dynasty ruled (Thutmose I, Hapshetsut, Amenhotep IV, Neho II), Egypt turns into a powerful power. Rapid economic development was due to the influx of captured workers, looted gold and livestock into the country.

During this period, iron tools are widely used, horse breeding and glass production are developing. The art of mummification of the bodies of the dead reaches perfection.

In the beginning of the XI century BC two kingdoms were formed: Lower Egypt, which splits into separate regions, and Upper, with its capital in Thebes. The Nubian rulers are waging bloody wars, dreaming of capturing the country.

The founder of the Sass dynasty Psammetich I liberated the state from the invaders.

Liberation from the Persians and the end of the rule of the Egyptian kings

Persian rule is allocated in a separate period. The foreign king Cambyses is proclaimed the pharaoh of the XXVII dynasty.

And in 332 BC there is a conquest of Egypt by A. Macedon, who liberated the country from the Persians. The era of Hellenism is coming, and the time of the reign of the pharaohs is forever gone.

Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt: table

The exact dating of the reign of kings still causes discussion among scientists. We take as a basis a sample table based on the chronology of P. Nicholson, Professor of Archeology and Dr. Shaw, and includes the most significant rulers.

Cult of the Dead

Speaking about the Egyptian kings, we can not fail to mention the special attitude towards the death of the Egyptians, which caused the birth of the cult of the dead. Residents believed in the immortality of the soul, going to the afterlife. It was believed that with proper storage of the body, it can return, so the funeral cult was built on embalming and mummification of the deceased person.

Special skills in this sphere were possessed by high priests, who learned to keep the bodies of the pharaoh imperishable.

It was believed that the kings of Egypt and after their deaths rule in the afterlife, so ritual ceremonies were very important. The pharaohs thought about the eternal dwelling during their lifetime, and pyramids were erected on the Giza plateau, which became the burial place of the governors of the gods.

Sacred place

The famous Valley of Kings in Egypt, located opposite the city of Thebes (Luxor), is a unique place where the Pharaohs rest. Until now, it attracts researchers who are engaged in the history of ancient civilization. Thirty-seven years ago it was recognized as the World Heritage by UNESCO.

The sacred valley was carefully guarded to prevent the plundering of graves, but with the weakening of the power of the pharaohs, robbers and travelers appeared, who inflicted irreparable harm on the sarcophagi.

The expedition of Napoleon, arrived with the purpose of conquest of Egypt, was the first group to compile maps of the tombs. After the publication of the works devoted to Thebes burials, the scientific journeys of well-known archaeologists begin, which made many important discoveries.

The confusion with the tombs

The first buried in the Valley of the Kings was Thutmose I, and the main problem is that no one knows in which tomb he was buried. Such confusion exists with other tombs, although Egyptologists are sure that all Egyptian kings had personal burial chambers built specially for them.

In 1827, the well-known scientist DG Wilkinson introduced into scientific circulation the mandatory numbering of tombs beginning with the prefix KV. The service mines were assigned only Latin letters. For example, the well-known tomb of Tutankhamun was given the number KV 62.

Researchers know 64 tombs, the latter being little studied.

Fear of plundering graves

Until the 15th century BC, the pharaohs were buried in special rites in the pyramids built during their lifetime. The rulers controlled the work and cared not only about the place of burial, but also about the objects of everyday life that would be with them in the funeral world, for even in the kingdom of Osiris the governors of God should lead a habitual way of life. So says the ancient story.

The kings of Egypt rested in sarcophagi, studded with jewels. Tombs in the pyramids on the Giza plateau were looted, and mummies were defiled or reburied by religious fanatics. Afraid of outrage, Thutmose I made changes to established traditions. He commanded to bury himself in a secluded and secret place, which became a deep well in the valley.

Masking from robbers

All the subsequent tombs were cut down in the rocks, the entrances were camouflaged with stones, and along the way various traps for robbers were arranged. Such a well rested against a funerary chamber where Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, rested.

Scientists have established that the City of the Dead in Thebes did not escape the sad fate, and the tombs in the valley began to be plundered during the reign of the XX-XXI dynasty of the pharaohs. Egypt's top officials sold gold jewelry from tombs, which were handed to them by the builders of the burial vaults, who did not receive money for their work.

Today the Valley of the Kings is a unique place, which testifies to the ancient history of Egypt. Findings in an important archaeological site shed light on the events of developed civilization, which is very important for descendants.