The most important Egyptian pharaohs have left an indelible mark on the ancient egyptian historyalso leaving many Testimonials important that have reached our days thanks to the Egyptian pharaohs.
Great builders de pyramids, temple complexes y necropolis, Warriors y conquistadores, the pharaohs of Egypt also took to their tombs treasures that we can observe today in the numerous museums during an incredible trip to Egypt. So let's discover the most important pharaohs of the history of Ancient Egypt, touring the most significant facts that have characterized each dynasty.
Who were the Egyptian pharaohs?
The kings of Ancient Egypt, called pharaohs, were considered a sacred intermediary between the gods and humans. Their powers y homework towards the town were therefore totals. In fact, they had to manage every fact of daily life, thus avoiding sinking civilization in chaos. Therefore, the people were absolutely devoted to him. Every time a new ruler took power, a the new World for the ancient Egyptians, this is one of the main reasons why Ancient Egypt lacks a exact chronology and an accurate date count.
Etymology
The etymology of Pharaoh comes from ancient greek Pharaoh, meaning elevated house, Thus, Royal Palace. During Ancient Egypt, the ruler from the 22nd dynasty took the title of By῾ooh. One of the most popular writings in which the term pharaoh appears is the Biblia (Exodus 7,13), when the term was also used superb, demon or tyrant, taking it from the term infernal. The term ruler during Ancient Egypt began to become popular among the kings until the XNUMXst dynasty, previously used from the XNUMXth dynasty, to indicate only the Royal residence and then the function of the sovereign.
roles
The main task of the pharaoh at level spiritual was to keep the Size correct, that is, the universal order, destroying the Chaos, LLAMADA isefet. In this way, it remained harmony between gods and men. This happened mainly following the rites y offerings who provided the cult. The ruler of Egypt was a intermediary between the divine and human plan, thus also responding to duties towards the people. Therefore, in return, he demanded from the people a absolute obedience. For the ancient Egyptians, the pharaoh was mortal, but inside him he had the Ka, a true divine power.
The Ka was transmitted from one pharaoh to his successor, thus creating a chain of divine power and one of the oldest royal trades in the worldAfter the death of a pharaoh, the order of the cosmos was disrupted. This led to the need for numerous rituals and mummifications. In this way, the ruler could live forever in the kingdom of the dead, allowing the coronation of his successor. The double crown they wore also represented power over Upper and Lower Egypt, automatically transfiguring the king into a deity and restoring order to the cosmos. In addition to his spiritual duties, the pharaoh also had the task of fighting enemies by organizingmilitary campaigns.
Dynasties and Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt
Furthermore, the Egyptian pharaohs were divided into dynastic periods, Which are 30 and they go from 3100 B.C. C. until 332 a. c. El serekh, used after the predynastic period (3170 BC), was the hieroglyph who represented the god Horus in the shape of a falcon, a symbol of crown and royalty.
Below you will find a summary table of the different pharaonic dynasties, which we will see in detail later, together with the artworks created by the most important pharaohs.
| Period | Dynasty | rd | major pharaohs |
|---|---|---|---|
| predynastic period | dynasty 0 | 4000-3200 BC | king's discovery |
| early dynastic period | XNUMXst-XNUMXnd dynasty | 3150 – 2700 BC | Menes |
| old kingdom | III-IV | 2700 – 2160 BC | Djoser, Cheops, Chephren, Menkaure |
| first intermediate period | VII-X | 2160 - 2055 BC | Netjerkara, Menkara, Sneferka Aanu |
| middle kingdom | XI-XII | 2055 - 1790 BC | Sesostri I |
| second interim period | XIII-XVII | 1790 – 1540 BC | Sekhaenra, Meruserra, Sekhemra Heruermaa |
| new kingdom | XVIII-XX | 1540 – 1080 BC | Tutankhamen, Amenhotep IV, Seti I, Ramses I and Ramses II |
| third intermediate period | XXI-XXV | 1080 – 672 BC | Aakheperra, Bakenrenef |
| late period | XXVI-XXXI | 672 – 343 BC | Neferite I, Nectanebo I |
| Ptolemaic period | Ptolemaic dynasty | 332 – 30 BC | Ptolemy I, Cleopatra VII |
| Roman period | emperors | 30 a.m. C. - IV century AD. c. | Octavio Augusto |
predynastic period
historical period from 4000 al BC 3200, the testimonies we have from this moment are numerous campaigns of territorial occupation in the arabian desert and in the Sinai peninsula. Other influences and findings come from the areas from Syria, Anatolia y Mesopotamia. In addition, there were also numerous maritime contacts with the aegean islands, especially in the Mediterranean area. Some necropolises have been found from this time near Nakada, with prehistoric burials, such as the farmers necropolis, with more than 144 tombs, where naturally mummified bodies were found placed in a fetal position.
We can also observe one of these mummies today in the Egyptian Museum of TurinThe main pharaoh of the dynasty, called zero, was the Scorpion King, of which some representations have been found in some finds dating back to this period.
The main Egyptian pharaohs of the pre-dynastic period and their works.
El Scorpion King, known as horus the scorpion, ruled upper egypt during Dynasty 0. Follower of cult of horus, his grave was found in the nekhen necropolis, identified as HK6. The main finding attributed to him is the hedj mace, on which there is an image of him with the glyph of the scorpion.
early dynastic period
During the Early Dynastic Period, the first two pharaonic dynasties known by the name of tint, from Thinis, their hometown. From the previous late prehistoric period, with the Zero Dynasty, we saw the advent of the two lands, Upper and Lower Egypt. He was the first ruler of the XNUMXst Dynasty, menes, who united the two lands, as has been understood thanks to the Narmer Tablet artifact. hieroglyphic writing also began to develop during this period, along with the measuring system.
Egyptian pharaohs of the Predynastic period and their works
The main pharaoh of the predynastic period or archaic was the legendary Menes of the XNUMXst dynasty, Also called NarmerIt was he who united Lower and Upper Egypt under a single crown around the year 3000 BC He also, according to historians, started the worship of the god Apis. The royal queen of him was Neihotep, a princess of Lower Egypt.
old kingdom
The Old Empire, 2700 to 2160 B.C. c. covers the dynasty 3 to 4 of the Egyptian pharaohs. During the 3rd Dynasty the main architectures were still fragile and perishable, while we began to notice a development at the level of the tombs. After underground tombs, As the mastabas, from the archaic period, we began to see the first pyramidal structures. One of the earliest examples is the Step pyramid of the Saqqara Necropolis, ordered to be built by Pharaoh Djoser of the Third Dynasty. During the Fourth Dynasty, however, we begin to see another kind of pyramids in egypt, like the snefru, in Meidum. Sneferu was the first Ancient Egyptian pharaoh of the fourth dynasty.
Also during this dynasty, we also see the Pyramids of Dahshur, such as the Red Pyramid, the third largest in height, after that of Cheops and Chephren with a height of 104 m. However, it is inside the Giza Necropolis where we find the main symbols of the Fourth Dynasty, as well as the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt, which have survived to this day: the Pyramid of Cheops, Chephren y Mycerinus.
Famous Egyptian Pharaohs and Important Works in the Old Kingdom
The Necropolis of the III Dynasty during the Old Kingdom was the Saqqara Necropolis, about 40 km from the current capital El CairoThe most important structure is the Pyramid of Djoser, or Zoser, near ancient Memphis. The name comes from the ancient cult deity Sokar. Today, we can see here not only the famous step pyramid of Pharaoh Djoser of the Third Dynasty, but also other royal burial sites from the Second to the Second Dynasty, that is, from around 3100 to 2686 BC.
From the Fourth Dynasty onwards, however, the main necropolis moved to the Giza Plain. The first pharaoh to build his pyramid here was Khufu, creating what is now one of the seven Wonders of the World which has come down to us intact. He was later followed by his son Chephren and his nephew Menkaure, along with nobles who built their burial sites and smaller pyramids here. In Chephren's funerary complex, we can see the Great Sphinx of Giza, also built by him. On the other hand, near the Pyramid of Cheops his funeral Solar Boat was found, among the most important funeral boats in the world in terms of size and state of conservation, currently transferred from his Boat museum Solar al GEM.
first intermediate period
After the reign of Pepi II, between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth dynasties in the First Intermediate Period, the system is established feudal, along with a system of small local governments. Furthermore, in the history of the Egyptian pharaohs, the Old Kingdom ends with the Sixth Dynasty, although we do not have an exact date for the beginning of the First Intermediate Period. Even the list of Egyptian pharaohs from the Seventh to the Eighth Dynasty is uncertain, of which there is certain certainty is Dark brown, whose tomb is in Saqqara. Power during these dynasties was concentrated in the city of Memphis (Upper Egypt).
The same uncertainty in the list of Egyptian pharaohs applies to the rulers of the 9th to 10th Dynasty, when the seat of power was in Henet-Nesut. During the X Dynasty, the worship to Ra en heracleopolis, beginning the conflicts with the city of Thebes.
Major Egyptian pharaohs of the Intermediate Period and works
Among the few pharaohs of whom we have traces during the Intermediate Period, we find Dark brown, from the 8th Dynasty. Unfortunately, no artifacts or anything related to it have been found to date. From the 9th Dynasty, we find to Kheti, but still in this case with very few reliable historical sources, not knowing much about the rulers of this dynasty.
middle kingdom
The pharaonic dynasties of Egypt during the Middle Kingdom go from the XNUMXth to the XNUMXth dynasty, from the 2055 to 1790 BC and is characterized by fragmentation of powers due to the crisis of the Old Kingdom. The characteristics of this historical period are the battles of Slash, current luxor, which gave rise to retaliation from the city as capital of the kingdom of Egypt, replacing Memphis. The main evidence of the names of the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt during these dynasties has come down to us from inscriptions in the Karnak temple complex.
Main Egyptian pharaohs of the Middle Kingdom and works
Among the main pharaohs of this period we find in the XI dynasty to Mentuhotep II. probable founder of middle kingdom, reunited Lower and Upper Egypt. During his reign, he reduced the power of individual provincial governors and began using stone quarries near Aswan for its construction and trade. Their royal wives were Has and his half sister Neferu. His funeral complex is located in Deir el Bahari, in a rock amphitheater. During the dynasty XII, after Senusret II, Senusret III he became pharaoh, the most powerful of this dynasty.
second interim period
Situated between the Middle and New Kingdoms, the Second Intermediate Period includes the dynasties 13 to 17 of the pharaohs of Egypt. The 1790th Dynasty lacks precise dynastic lines, caused by the brevity of the reigns from 1630 BC to XNUMX BC. The last pharaohs of this dynasty ruled only Slash. During the XNUMXth dynasty, according to Manetho's writings, there were 76 pharaohs, known as the Great Hyksos, who ruled all of Egypt. The hyksos, or captains of a foreign country, were the rulers of the Semitic populations that came to Lower Egypt by crossing the Sinai Peninsula from the turn of the centuryXNUMXth Dynasty.
During the 1720 BC they managed to defeat the dynastic pharaohs of Egypt belonging to the 1660th dynasty, arriving around XNUMX BC to occupy the then capital Memphis. With this event the XNUMXth dynasty began, while the pharaohs had limited power in Middle and Lower Egypt.
The main Egyptian pharaohs and their works
La XNUMXth dynasty had six pharaohs and those of whom we have records all bear the name of AphophisThe Second Intermediate Period ends in 1530 BC, when the first pharaoh of the XNUMXth Dynasty unified Egypt, conquering the Nile Delta and thus beginning the New Kingdom. The scarcity of monuments and artifacts during this historical period was due to the campaigns of the Egyptian pharaohs during the New Kingdom, which destroyed traces of the dishonorable past of these dynasties.
new kingdom
The New Kingdom, which spanned from 1540 to 1080 B.C. c., includes the dynasties 18 to 20 and some of the most famous Ancient Egyptian pharaohs of all time. This historical moment is so important that historians speak of a Empire, no longer of a Kingdom. In fact, here we see the highest point of elevation of the influence of Egypt, its architecture and its art. At this time, moreover, the pharaoh from god-king became general king. Amenhotep IV attempted religious reform and failed. The unity of Egypt at this time was made possible by Seti I, Ramses II and III, thanks to his military campaigns in Asia and repeatedly countering the Towns of the Tue. During the XNUMXth dynasty, thanks to Thutmosis III Egypt reached its maximum expansion, from the fourth cataract of the Nile to Nubia.
The main cult was that of Ammon, centered on the karnak temple in Thebes, becoming the center of religious but also political power of the Egyptian pharaohs. XNUMXth dynasty can be divided into two phases, characterized by the pharaoh Ramses II to Merenptah. During the second phase, royal power was destroyed by numerous internal conflicts. In fact, the XNUMXth dynasty ended with total anarchy and an absence of centralized power. The new kingdom finished with the XNUMXth dynasty, characterized by the revolts due to the migrations of the Peoples of the Sea, although Ramses III he managed to thwart them multiple times.
Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt during the New Kingdom and main works
The dynasties of the pharaohs of Egypt in this period chose the King's Valley as its necropolis, while the actual queens were buried in the adjacent Valley of the Queens. The tombs here date back to 1539 to 1075 B.C. c.The site was chosen for its more hidden location than Gizabuilding the tombs deep instead of elevated ones, protecting them from marauders. Since 1979, this site is World Heritage of Unesco. Among the most popular burials that we can find here we see the Tutankhamun's tomb ( KV62 ), discovered in 1922 by the father of Egyptology Howard Carter. The tomb of Ramses II (KV7 ), who also built the ramesseum as his mortuary temple. Ramses II also built the Abu Simbel temple complex, and QV66 for your wife Nefertari at the Valley of the Queens.
In the Valley of the Kings we also find the Tomb of Ramses III ( KV11 ), who was the builder of the Medinet Habu temple, Ramesses IV ( KV2 ), Merenptah ( KV8 ), Seti I ( KV17 ) and Ramesses VI of the XNUMXth dynasty ( KV9 ). In addition, the Egyptian pharaohs of the XNUMXth dynasty They also started the construction of the Luxor Temple whose many artifacts are found today in the nearby luxor museum. In addition, among the main pharaohs of the New Kingdom, we find the daughter of Thutmose I, Queen-Pharaoh Hatshepsut from the XNUMXth Dynasty and one of the most powerful rulers of ancient egypt. In addition to starting the construction of the karnak temple, he also built his great Deir el-Bahari mortuary temple.
third intermediate period
This historical period extends from 1080 to 672 B.C. c. and includes the Egyptian pharaohs from the XXI to the XXV dynasty. After the death of Ramesses XI, smandes I became ruler and established the center of power in Tanisin the northern part of the country. To the south, however, reigned the first priests of Ammon, in Thebes, although recognizing the power of the pharaoh. Libyan princes They ruled the Nile Delta and berber tribes they got stronger. On XNUMXth century BC c., Egypt attempted military campaigns in the Near East, but failed. The dynasty bubastite he was replaced after a defeat in battle by the Assyrian Empire, while the Nubians became a threat to southern Egypt.
the nubian king Foams invaded Egypt in 727 B.C. C., took Thebes and thus began the dynasty 25 of the Egyptian pharaohs, reuniting Lower and Upper Egypt, bringing expansion back to that of the New Kingdom period. Thus began the Nubian Dynasty, a period of strong growth for the country.
Major Egyptian Pharaohs of the Third Intermediate Period and Works
During this historical period, important temples were built and renovated, such as the one of Memphis, and built some pyramids in the area of the current Sudan. Among the most important Egyptian pharaohs of this dynasty, we find Sennacherib, the one who destroyed the biblical Babylon, sacred city for the mesopotamians. After long years of wars and clashes, the Nubian dynasty ended with Psammetic I as Pharaoh. Psammetichus I, taking advantage of the Assyrian military campaigns during 653 BC, managed to liberate Egypt thanks to the alliance with Greece y Lidia.
late period
Historical period that goes from 672 to 343 BC, includes the Egyptian pharaohs from the XXVI to the XXXI dynasty. During the dynasty 26, we found the pharaohs saites delegates for the assyrians to govern from the city of Sais. After their rise to power, they still managed to maintain good relations with the Assyrians, while Greek influence spread throughout the Nile Delta. Necho II He started numerous battles against the Scythians, Babylonians and Medes to support the Assyrians, but the attempt failed.
During the Twenty-sixth Dynasty, the pharaohs of Ancient Egypt began a new artistic renaissance. The Persian Empire, directed by Cambises II, in 525 a. C. began the conquest of Egypt, capturing the pharaoh Psammetic III.
Principal Pharaohs of Late Period Egypt and Works
Nactebos I was a pharaoh of the dynasty thirtieth, who built some temples in the Island of Philae. Cambyses II became pharaoh, ruling from Susa, located in present-day Iran. During the XNUMXth century BC c. there were numerous riots against the persian empire, however, they were unable to shoot it down and therefore remained in the domain Achaemenid, Together with Phoenician y Cyprus.
The Persian pharaohs ended their rule in 402 B.C. c. y the XXX Dynasty is the last house of dynastic pharaohs native to Ancient Egypt, which ended under Nactanebo II. With the arrival of Alexander the Great, the then governor Mazace ceded Egypt peacefully. Thus began the Ptolemaic period, which lasted from 332 to 30 BC.
Ptolemaic period
After the conquest of Egypt by Alexander the Great in the 332 B.C. c., joined his empire and was welcomed by the Egyptian people as libertador, definitively expelling the persians. Thus began the kingdom Ptolemaic, establishing the capital at Alexandria of Egypt and managing to safeguard ancient Egyptian art and culture, while also having a new hellenistic mold. The pharaohs during this period came to be called the Ptolemies and Alexandria became a cradle of art and culture for the ancient world, thanks to its important library y Lighthouse.
The many commercial pressures of Rome on Egypt, as well as on a political level, began to provoke numerous revolts and thus created an unstable situation. A fertile ground to start the conquest of the Roman Empire from the Ptolemaic Kingdom in Egypt.
Main pharaohs and Ptolemaic works
Although they belonged to the Hellenistic culture, the new rulers supported Egyptian culture and worship, thus gaining the favor of the people. Indeed, very important temples were built during this period. Edfu temple, built by Ptolemy III, Philae Temples were completed at the request of Ptolemy IIAlso Kom Ombo, Also called Sobek State, dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, ya Horus, dating from this period, was made in part by Ptolemy VI y Ptolemy XII. The last Ptolemaic queen wasCleopatra VI.
roman period
On year 30 a. c., Egypt became a province of the Roman Empire when Cleopatra VII y Marco Antonio were defeated by Octavio, who later became the emperor AugustoAlexandria remained a focal point for trade and exchange with the East. Even the Romans left ritual practices, such as mummification, and cult traditions. In addition, many Roman emperors also began to use certain practices, such as the mummy portraits, beginning to portray himself as pharaohs. On a religious level, the Christianity took root in Egypt, initially merging with the ancient Egyptian cult, even being practiced inside some temples, together with the Greco-Roman religion. Subsequently, a period of religious persecutions against Christians.
Reigning Roman period and works
Diocletian, 303, started the great purge against Christians, in an attempt to eradicate religion from Egypt. Theodosius I banned pagan rituals, closed temples and also partly led to the destruction of numerous cult images within them. This led to the decline of egyptian culture, losing the hieroglyphic writing, although the native language did not disappear. Many ancient temples were converted into christian churches, while others were saved from destruction, being abandoned and later submerged by the desert sands.