The Egyptians - Dudley Museum

Egypt is a hot, dry country in the north of Africa. It is a vast, sandy desert through which flows the river Nile. It is this river that fertilised the land and here Ancient Egypt flourished for over 3000 years. This same area of land holds 96% of the population of modern Egypt.

When we think of Ancient Egypt today, we usually think of Mummies, Pharaohs and Pyramids. Villages in Egypt grew into small towns and about 3000 years ago two large kingdoms emerged. One in the North (called Lower Egypt) and one in the South (called Upper Egypt).

In early Egypt there was a ruler called Narmer, Egypt's first king. He united the two kingdoms and founded the first Egyptian Royal Family. For nearly 3000 years afterwards, Egypt was ruled by Kings. The Kings are placed in family groups called Dynasties. There were 31 Dynasties. The Egyptian kings were called pharaohs.

The first group of Pharaohs belonged to the Old Kingdom, who were followed by the Middle Kingdom and finally the New Kingdom. To the Ancient Egyptians the Pharaoh was seen as a God who had come to live amongst them. He was responsible for the wealth and success of his country. The spiritual influence of a good pharaoh continued to shed benefit on people after his death. The King was to be as valuable an asset dead as he was alive. This is why the Egyptians buried their Pharaohs in such fantastic tombs.

The word Pharaoh comes from two words "per aa" meaning "Great House". A Pharaohs personal name was not used because it was fraught with magic and dangerous to say. To be touched accidentally by his staff could bring bad luck and to be allowed to kiss his foot instead of the dirt in front of it was a mark of favour. A Prince or King married young. His veins were filled with blood of the Sun God Re. It was important that this was not diluted. He must preserve its purity by marrying a member of his own family. Some Pharaohs even married their own daughters. A Pharaoh was the law and justice was defined as "what Pharaoh loves". Wrongdoing was "what Pharaoh hates". Sometimes a Pharaoh may have been despised by his administration, but they always paid him utmost respect, they knew that the institutions of Egypt could cease to exist if the monarchy was damaged. For the Egyptian State to flourish the authority of its King must remain unimpaired.