Why the title Pharaoh was not used by Egypt's earliest rulers
In short: Discover the origins of the term pharaoh and the divine role Egyptian rulers played as intermediaries between the gods and their people.
While modern history often labels all Egyptian monarchs as pharaohs, the term only entered common usage during the New Kingdom period, specifically within the eighteenth and nineteenth dynasties. Before this era, these rulers were simply referred to as kings.
The word pharaoh derives from the Greek adaptation of the Egyptian term 'Pero', which translates to 'Great House' and originally designated the royal residence. The first ruler to unify Egypt was Menes, also known as Narmer, who is famously depicted on the Narmer Palette wearing the dual crowns of the region. Throughout their history, these leaders were viewed as earthly representatives of the god Horus and served as vital links between the divine realm and the Egyptian populace.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Introduction to the Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh
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