• The king in ancient Egypt was called Pharaoh (_Great House_)

• In around 3100 BCE, the King of Upper Egypt, Narmer, conquered Lower Egypt &

united the 2 kingdoms – he is therefore considered the 1st Pharaoh of all Egypt

• About 200 yrs ago, archaeologists found the Narmer Palette, which tells his story

Civics, Govt. & Human Rights in Ancient Egypt

Narmer shown wearing crown of Lower Egypt on one side & crown of Upper Egypt on other. Scenes narrate Narmer's leadership of an army. Attendant carries Narmer's sandals, indicating he is on "holy ground" or in presence of gods.

Hawk standing in papyrus marsh is symbol for pharaoh & god Horus. On bottom are dead enemies. On other side on bottom is Narmer as a bull

trampling enemies. Palette shows beginning of tradition of art,

religion, mythology that lasted throughout ancient Egypt.

• The Pharaoh held 2 symbolic items – Crook & Flail

• Crook shaped like a shepherd staff & characterized pharaoh as shepherd of his people

• Flail used as a weapon & tool for picking wheat & characterized pharaoh as a protector and provider

• Pharaoh held all religious & political power in Egypt and were seen as living gods on earth

• Pharaohs belonged to dynasties - family of rulers in which heir is a member of the prior ruler's family

• One can end when a pharaoh is overthrown or the family line simply dies out

• Starting w/Narmer, 30 dynasties rose/fell in 2500 yrs

• B/c Ancient Egyptian history is soooooooo long, historians divide it into 3 periods of time:

1. The OLD Kingdom

2. The Middle Kingdom

3. The New Kingdom

Crook & Flail

Document #1: Day in the Life of the Pharaoh

1. Summarize the daily duties of a Pharaoh.

(1) Is cleaned and dressed

(2) meetings w/nobles, ambassadors, generals

(3) prays in temple to gods, sacrifices bull

(4) Lunch

(5) tours city, visits construction sites

(6) break

(7) back to pray

(8) sleep

Document #2: Pharaoh’s Royal Crowns

1. Which crown represented Upper Egypt?

White Crown

2. Which crown was also known as the war crown?

Blue Crown

3. Which crown showed the unification of Upper & Lower Egypt?

Double Crown

4. Which crown is shown on the reverse side of the Narmer Palette?

Red Crown

5. Which crown is actually a piece of striped cloth?

Nemes

6. Which crown is most recognizable to you? ___________________

7. Why that one? _________________________________________

Document #3: Hymn to the Pharaoh

1. What specific deeds/powers of the Pharaoh seemed most

important to the Egyptians?

(1) Pleasing the gods w/offerings

(2) Protecting & expanding Egypt’s reputation,

way of life & borders

(3) Helping the youth & elderly

2. How is praise given to Pharaoh different from praise given to

leaders today? ____________________________________

• Although he theoretically had absolute power,

pharaoh realistically needed help to govern

• As a result, there was a large bureaucracy

( council of administrators) needed to perform

tasks

• Especially important was the Vizier, the Pharaoh’s

right-hand man, who was really in charge of the

entire bureaucracy and all of its departments such

as police, agriculture & treasury (tax collection)

• For administrative purposes, Pharaohs divided

Egypt into provinces or Nomes - 22 existed in

Upper Egypt & 20 in Lower Egypt

• A Nomarch was in charge of each and was

responsible to the vizier and pharaoh

• Pharaoh’s word was the law – ruled according to set principles called Ma’at, a belief

in truth, justice, order and harmony

• No actual legal code has survived : local councils responsible for ruling in cases

involving minor disputes while more serious cases handled by the vizier

• Defendants and accusers represented themselves in any case

• Court scribes documented each case for future reference

• Punishment involved either fines, beatings, facial mutilation, exile, or execution

depending on the severity of the crime

• Below the Pharaoh, Egyptian society was divided into 4 social classes

• Upper class included Vizier, nobles & priests

• Middle class included artisans, merchants & soldiers

• Lower class (largest class) made of farmers, laborers & servants - most lived in small

villages, provided required service in military & on govt. projects

• Members of lower class could improve status and enter the middle class but almost

no one entered the ranks of the upper class

• The lowest class was made up of slaves_