The legacy of the most developed ancient civilization,originated in the Nile Valley, for posterity is priceless. World-famous historical monuments keep many secrets, and over the riddles of the construction of giant pyramids scientists from all over the world unsuccessfully fight. Ancient Egypt is in no hurry to share secrets, but we can tell you about the exact facts of the rule of the kings.
Some facts about the pharaohs
Несколько тысячелетий государством правили Pharaohs - the vicar of God on earth, possessing, according to beliefs, magic power. They regulated all spheres of life of the Egyptians, and the high priests considered themselves their servants, although some kings became puppets in their hands.
Residents believed that sunrise depended on the ruler.sun and crop ripening. And if there were terrible epidemics among animals and people, wars began, it meant the gods' discontent with their governor.
The kings of Egypt had no right to mix their blood withhuman, so they married their sisters first, and only then married ordinary women. But the throne was inherited only by a child born from a relative.
The women in whom divine blood flowed had great power and even ruled Egypt until their sons reached maturity.
Who was the founder of the first dynasty of the pharaohs?
Scientists do not know exactly when the Egyptian state was born, but after the research was conducted, it was established that about three thousand years ago it already existed.
The founder of the first dynasty is King Ming.He built a fortress, which later became the capital and royal residence. From Memphis, Pharaoh ruled a united Egypt, and his personality causes much controversy among scholars. Many experts believe that Ming is the designation of the first three pharaohs of the dynastic period, and all disputes are associated with a lack of written sources.
Early kingdom
The next era, about which not much is known,- The early kingdom. The kings of Egypt of the first and second dynasties (Khor Aha, Khasekh), which had rigidly suppressed all the uprisings, united the country into a centralized state.
During this period, papyrus production begins, and the widespread use of writing influences the culture of other eras. Egypt becomes a country with a highly developed agriculture.
Ancient kingdom
The ancient kingdom is characterized by constant wars. The third kings of Egypt - the eighth dynasty (Snofru, Djoser) conquer the lands of northern Nubia and seize the copper mines in the Sinai Peninsula.
The pharaohs have enormous power, and the state turns into centralized despotism.
At the behest of King Djoser begins the construction of tombs at Giza.
Under the rule of the fifth dynasty, the power of the pharaohs begins to weaken, and Egypt is divided into administrative units — noma.
Middle kingdom
The rule of the twelfth dynasty falls on the Middle Kingdom. At this time wars with the next tribes are conducted, defensive fortresses are erected.
The kings (pharaohs) of ancient Egypt - Amenemhet I,Senusert III - incredibly revered by the population. During this period, tools are improved and tools from bronze appear. A powerful impetus to the development of agriculture through the creation of an irrigation system.
New kingdom
В Новом царстве, при котором правили XVIII–XX dynasties (Thutmos I, Hapshetsut, Amenhotep IV, Neho II), Egypt turns into a powerful state. Rapid economic development was due to the influx of workers in captivity, stolen gold and livestock into the country.
During this period iron tools are widely used, horse breeding and glass production develop. The art of mummification of the bodies of the dead reaches perfection.
В начале XI века до нашей эры образовались два kingdom: Lower Egypt, which falls into separate areas, and Upper, with its capital at Thebes. Nubian rulers lead bloody wars, hoping to seize the country.
The founder of Sais dynasty Psammetich I. freed the state from invaders.
Liberation from the Persians and the end of the reign of the Egyptian kings
Persian rule is allocated in a separate period. Alien king Cambyses proclaimed Pharaoh XXVII dynasty.
And in 332 BC, the conquest of Egypt by A. Macedonian, which liberated the country from the Persians, occurs. The era of Hellenism is coming, and the time of the pharaohs reigns forever.
Pharaohs of ancient Egypt: table
The exact dating of the kings reign so farcauses debate among scientists. Let us take as a basis a sample table based on the chronology of the archeology professor P. Nicholson and doctor of science J. Shaw and including the most significant rulers.
Years before our era | Period name | The names of the pharaohs |
3100-2686 | Early kingdom | Menes (Narmer) |
2686-2181 | Ancient kingdom | Djoser, Sekhemkhet, Snofru, Cheops (Khufu), Khafre (Khafre), Niusera, Unas |
2181-2055 | The transition period - the decline of the power of the pharaohs | |
2055-1650 | Middle kingdom | Mentuhotep II, Senusert I, Amenemhet I, Amenemhet II, Amenemhet III, Amenemhet IV |
1650-1550 | Second transition | |
1550-1069 | New kingdom | Yahmos I, Thutmos I, Hatshepsut, Tutankhamen, Ramses I, Ramses III, Ramses IV - IX |
Cult of the dead
Speaking about the Egyptian kings, it is impossible not to mentionabout a special relationship to the death of the Egyptians, which led to the emergence of the cult of the dead. Residents believed in the immortality of the soul, sent to the afterlife. It was believed that with proper storage of the body, it could return, so the requiem cult was built on embalming and mummification of a deceased person.
The high priests, who learned to keep the bodies of the pharaohs imperishable, had special skills in this sphere.
It was believed that the kings of Egypt and after his deathrule in the afterlife, so the ritual ceremonies were very important. Pharaohs in life thought about the eternal dwelling, and pyramids were erected on the Giza plateau, which became the burial place of the governors of the gods.
Sacred place
Famous Valley of the Kings in Egypt, locatedopposite the city of Thebes (Luxor), is a unique place where the pharaohs rest. Until now, it attracts researchers involved in the history of ancient civilization. Thirty-seven years ago, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The sacred valley was carefully guarded in order to prevent the plundering of the graves, but with the weakening of the power of the pharaohs, robbers and travelers appeared who caused irreparable harm to the sarcophagi.
Napoleon's expedition, arrived with a purposethe conquest of Egypt, was the first group to make maps of the tombs. After the publication of the works devoted to the Thebes burials, the scientific journeys of famous archaeologists begin, who have made many important discoveries.
Confusion with tombs
The first buried in the Valley of the Kings was Thutmos I,and the main problem is that no one knows in which particular tomb he was laid to rest. Such confusion exists with other tombs, although Egyptologists believe that all the Egyptian kings had personal burial chambers built specifically for them.
В 1827 году известный ученый Д. Г.Wilkinson introduced compulsory numbering of tombs, beginning with the prefix KV, into scientific use. Service mines were assigned only Latin letters. For example, the famous tomb of Tutankhamen is assigned the number KV 62.
Researchers are aware of 64 tombs, the latter is still little studied.
Fear of grave robbery
Until the XV century BC Pharaohs buried byspecial ceremonies in the pyramids, built during their lifetime. The rulers controlled the work and cared not only about the place of burial, but also about household items that would be with them in the funeral world, because even in the realm of Osiris, the governors of God must lead a normal life. So says ancient history.
The kings of Egypt rested in sarcophagi strewn withjewels. The tombs in the pyramids on the Giza plateau were plundered, and the mummies were desecrated or re-buried by religious fanatics. Fearing the abuse of Thutmose I made changes to established traditions. He ordered to bury himself in a secluded and secret place, which became a deep well in the valley.
Disguise from robbers
All subsequent tombs were cut down in the rocks,entrances were camouflaged with stones, and along the way various traps were set up for the robbers. Such a well rested in the burial chamber, where Pharaoh rested - the king of Egypt.
Ученые установили, что Город Мертвых в Фивах не escaped the sad fate, and the tombs in the valley began to plunder during the reign of the XX-XXI dynasty of the pharaohs. Egyptian top officials sold gold jewelery from tombs that builders of tombs passed to them, who did not receive money for their work.
Nowadays, the Valley of the Kings is a unique place, testifying to the ancient Egyptian history. Finds in an important archaeological site shed light on the events of a developed civilization, which is very important for posterity.
