Ancient Egyptian Priests and Pharaohs
Preview
Ancient Egypt was a huge civilization with lots of success. A good amount of their success revolved around their religion. Priests, pharaohs and kings were all different but they all helped to make this religion what it was.
Pharaohs
There were three major pharaohs in Ancient Egypt. Their names were Senusret I, Hatshepsut, and Ramses II. Senusret theived with art, literature, and architecture. Mines under Senruset I were filled with gold, copper, and gems which craftspeople turned into jewelry. One of Senusret's greatest accomplishments was building the White Chapel. Hatshepsut flourished with trade. She made her biggest trade expedition to the African Kingdom of Punt. Over 200 men made the voyage to the African Kingdom of Punt for Hatshepsut's trade expedition. She was also the first female pharaoh. Ramses is best known for his monuments. He built the temple complex at Abu Simbel which was his most impressive project. All of these pharaohs made important changes to Ancient Egypt.
Priests and Kings
Unlike pharaohs, priests and kings controlled most temples and religious buildings. There were a lot of priests because they were independent. The priests would enter the service of a god and would get a higher status. Kings weren't as independent as priests which made more people respect them. The kings controlled the government and army. They were also the priest of their temples. Many people believed that the king's essence was immortal. This also made more people respect them and look up to them.
High priests were able to serve the god image directly. Ramsses was one high priest. He performed rituals and ceremonies. High priests were very lucky people. They got served some of the best things in Egypt. They got paid in land grants from temple estates and rations of food offerings. They lived a life of wealth, power, and prestige and have many advantages over lower priests.
High priests were able to serve the god image directly. Ramsses was one high priest. He performed rituals and ceremonies. High priests were very lucky people. They got served some of the best things in Egypt. They got paid in land grants from temple estates and rations of food offerings. They lived a life of wealth, power, and prestige and have many advantages over lower priests.
Conclusion
This is a sculpture of Hatshepsut.
Egypt had a strong religion. In order to have a strong religion, you need people
to carry it. Priests, pharaohs, and kings all helped religion thrive in Egypt. They were different from each other because pharaohs had their own accomplishments while priests and kings had more responsibility with all religious rituals and ceremonies. The high priests helped by serving the god image directly. Pharaohs set the ground with accomplishments. Kings were open with their ideas and were respected which made people listen. Despite the fact that they were different from each other, they all contributed to make sure that Egypt got the
best religion they could have.
to carry it. Priests, pharaohs, and kings all helped religion thrive in Egypt. They were different from each other because pharaohs had their own accomplishments while priests and kings had more responsibility with all religious rituals and ceremonies. The high priests helped by serving the god image directly. Pharaohs set the ground with accomplishments. Kings were open with their ideas and were respected which made people listen. Despite the fact that they were different from each other, they all contributed to make sure that Egypt got the
best religion they could have.
Citations:
Meltzer, Milton. In the Days of the pharaohs: A Look at Ancient Egypt. New York: Walker Publishing Canada: Franklin Watts. 2001.
Kennett, David. Pharaoh: life and afterlife of a god. New York: Walker Publishing company, 2008.
Frey, Wendy. History Alive! The Ancient World. 2009.
Meltzer, Milton. In the Days of the pharaohs: A Look at Ancient Egypt. New York: Walker Publishing Canada: Franklin Watts. 2001.
Kennett, David. Pharaoh: life and afterlife of a god. New York: Walker Publishing company, 2008.
Frey, Wendy. History Alive! The Ancient World. 2009.