Pharaoh: King or God?

• Ancient Egypt was ruled by a combination of monarchy AND theocracy.

• A Pharaoh was actually both a king and considered a god amongst the Ancient Egyptians.

• A Pharaoh's power came from religion, family lineage, and tradition.

• A Pharaoh's governmental power was designed to keep order and stability.

Power Flow System

How Did Pharaoh’s Power Actually Work? Let’s Act It Out!

The chain of command:
Pharaoh → Vizier → Scribes → Nomarchs → Priests → Tax Collectors → Workers/Artisans → soldiers - to help guard city

• Vizier – Pharaoh’s right hand; managed taxes, courts, & records

• Scribes – wrote everything; the backbone of government

• Nomarchs – governors of Egypt’s regions

• Tax Collectors & Officials – kept resources flowing

​Major Roles

A system of officials that help run the government.

​Bureaucracy

The government pyramid

​In your notebook:
Fill out political pyramid of Ancient Egypt.