Do you know who Pharaoh is? He was an Egyptian ruler back in the day. Check out these Pharaoh facts for kids to learn more about him!
History has always been fascinating. Since we don’t have a time machine to travel and see the ancient world, history is the only means to get to know it. And believe me, there is always something mysterious in the pages of history.
While speaking of history, ancient Egypt must not go beyond our list. The astonishing facts buried inside the pyramids are something to be interested in.
Are you curious to know facts about ancient Egypt?
Here we will learn some Pharaoh Facts for Kids. Let’s get started!
16 Facts About Pharaoh
1. Pharaoh is a term used to refer to the kings of ancient Egypt. Rulers from the First Dynasty (c. 3150 BCE) were commonly called by the word. This was until the Egyptian empire was annexed by The Roman Empire in 30 BCE.
2. The term pharaoh was not used to refer to a monarch simultaneously until Merneptah, the fourth ruler of the Nineteenth Dynasty. The kings used to have three titles: the Horus, the Sedge and Bee), and the Nebty name.
3. Your jaw will surely drop when I say this fact. Ancient Egyptians did not call their kings pharaohs. The term was somehow used by the Greeks of that time. They used to call the monarchs of Egypt Pharaoh. The term has gained popularity over the ages, and hence we commonly refer to the Greek word.
4. Pharaoh was essentially the name of the male rulers. Traditionally, the title was bestowed upon the kings of the dynasty. If, in any case, a minor king was to rule the dynasty, the mother used to make decisions as regent.
However, we have had female rulers as well in the history of Egyptian civilization. For example, Hatshepsut and Cleopatra were two of the most notable female rulers of all times.
5. If we are to trace the etymological strand of that particular word, we may end up understanding that it means a magnificent house. So, Pharaoh directly refers to the palace or the great place that the king lived in. However, later the term shifted to refer to the person residing in this “great house.”
6. Religion was the pillar of the Egyptian Dynasty. The center of everyday life was also religion. And the ancient monarchs had a lot to do with religion.
One of the essential tasks of the Pharaoh was to be the mediator between God or deity and the common people. In ancient times, Egyptian people believed that Pharaoh was the representative of God or the messenger between them and God. Hence, the role that the Pharaoh was bestowed with was pretty crucial.
7. Egyptians believed that Pharaohs were the supreme rulers as they represented God. Hence, a widespread belief among people was that Their monarchs were half-human, half-god.
Additionally, they were the priests in every temple and were the heads of every governing body. Also, they were the owners of the whole land of Egypt.
8. Mummy is the dead body of a pharaoh. Ancient Egyptians believed in an afterlife. Hence, they used to preserve a dead body in a unique way called mummification. With the preserved or mummified body, they used to put jewelry, food, and all other necessary commodities. This was done because Egyptians believed that the king would use them after death.
9. One thing that catches everyone’s eyes is the Gigantic Pyramids of Egypt. Ever wondered why they built these monuments?
Well, in the previous section, we spoke about the mummy. Now, the mummified body needed to be kept somewhere. And as it was the Pharaoh’s body, it meant a lot to the Egyptians. Hence, they built these phenomenal monuments called Pyramids. In the internal chambers, the coffin or the mummified bodies were kept. Along with it, they used to keep the daily life accessories for the dead king to use in the afterlife.
10. Pharaohs were very particular about the purity of their bloodline or the strength of their lineage. In order to do so or to prevent the amalgamation of alien blood, they used to marry several family members.
However, this wasn’t fruitful. Many children faced death at their birth due to a lack of growth or strength.
11. Did you know that the pharaohs used to spend a lot of time planning their own burial? Since they had to be buried and kept in a pyramid, they started planning for it as soon as they sat on the throne. It took years to build one pyramid. And usually, the Pharaoh used to choose the location.
12. One of the most notable Kings of ancient Egypt is Pharaoh Tutankhamun, popularly known as King Tut. He sat on the throne at the age of nine and reigned for ten years.
King Tut’s mummy was discovered in 1922 by a water fetcher boy who went with the archaeological team.
13. The excavation of King Tut’s tomb was finished in 1932. It was probably one of the most significant discoveries in Egyptian history. They secured many valuable things from the tomb. Some of the items include chariot, jewelry, gold, paintings, sculptures, statues, etc.
14. King Tut’s tomb is probably the most well-preserved tomb of all. It gave the world a new insight into Egyptian civilization. The tomb told us how Tutankhamun used to live 3000 years ago. King Tut was one of the most fashionable kings and did wear clothes made of white linen.
Not only that, the obsession for gold jewelry was immense.
15. Tutankhamun’s sandals were secured from his tomb. It had the names of his enemies engraved. The king was immensely knowledgeable and knew astronomy, geometry, and music.
16. Ancient Egypt saw the reign of 225 Pharaohs. King Tut is probably the most famous among all of them. Some other famous Pharaohs are Khufu, Thutmose III, Amenhotep III, Ramses II, Cleopatra VI, and so on.
Conclusion:
Ancient Egypt is full of mystery. Still, many parts of civilization remain untouched. Isn’t that fascinating? This walk through memory lane or visit to the past did let you know many things about Pharaohs and their lifestyle.
Some parts of the hieroglyphics are still not decoded. Imagine what other stories the world will know when all of the past unfolds?
Till then, enjoy reading the Pharaoh Facts for Kids.