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The pharaohs were the rulers of Egypt. They were in charge of leading the army, conducting religious activities, decide some civil disputes, make sure that the people of the country were well-fed and happy, and many other things. |
| A few pharaohs were more noted than others. One of the first pharaohs, King Narmer ( also known as King Menes), was the first to unite upper and lower Egypt. |
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A statue of King Djoster. |
Another pharaoh was King Djoster. His architect, Imhotep, built him the first pyramid. The pyramid was a series of mastebas placed one on top of the other. This became a popular design that other pharaohs perfected in later generations. |
| A pharaoh that wasn't appreciated during or after his reign was Akhenaten. He and his wife, Nefertiti, enforced a one god religion. The other Egyptians, especially the priests, hated them and their religion because they weren't following the old customs that worked so well. After Akhenaten died, all records of him and his accomplishments were erased. |
A statue of Nefertiti. |
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Another notable pharaoh was Ramesses II. He was a good leader and an able military general. He conquered a lot of land for Egypt. Ramesses II built many statues of himself, like the one shown above. He was perhaps Egypt's greatest ruler. Other pharaohs that followed him, though, weren't as powerful. The Egyptian pharaohs were starting to decline in power. |
| The pharaohs finally lost their power when the Roman Empire conquered Egypt. The pharaohs ruled Egypt for about two thousand years. |
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