History glossary
Pharaoh
the title used for ancient Egypt's kings, who were treated as both political and sacred rulers.
- Category
- Ruler title
- Region
- Ancient Egypt
What it means
A pharaoh was the ruler of ancient Egypt. Pharaohs controlled government, temples, land, armies, and building projects, and Egyptian religion presented them as central to maintaining divine order between gods, people, and the natural world.
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