The crook and flail were important symbols of pharaonic authority It’s thought that this served several purposes: cosmetic, practical (as a means of reducing light reflection), and spiritual due to the fact that the almond-shaped eye make-up enhanced their resemblance to the god Horus. After Akhenaten’s death, Egypt rapidly returned to polytheism and the traditional gods he had disavowed.īoth male and female pharaohs wore make-up, most notably an application of black kohl around their eyes. The meaning of his new name, “He who is of service to the Aten”, honoured what he believed to be the one true god – Aten, the Sun God. Akhenaten was named Amenhotep IV at birth but changed his name in accordance with his radical monotheistic beliefs. The reign of Akhenaten represents a brief departure from polytheism in Ancient Egypt.

Akhenaten introduced monotheism, but it didn’t last Each new pharaoh was considered to be a new incarnation of Horus. In life, the pharaohs were believed to be incarnations of the deity Horus before in death becoming Osiris, the god of the afterlife. Horus was depicted in many forms but most commonly either as a falcon or a man with a falcon head. The pharaohs were regarded as incarnations of Horus It was believed that only the pharaoh could enter a holy temple and commune with the spirits of the gods. In their roles as high priests, the pharaohs made sacred offerings to the gods on a daily basis. Only pharaohs could make offerings to the gods Political leadership, meanwhile, encompassed more pragmatic concerns like legislation, diplomacy and the provision of food and resources to their subjects.Ģ.

These dual roles came with distinct titles: “High Priest of Every Temple” and the “Lord of the Two Lands”.Īs a spiritual leader, every pharaoh was expected to carry out sacred rituals and effectively act as a conduit between the gods and the people. It was a pharaoh’s responsibility to lead Egypt in both religious and political matters. They were both religious and political leaders History Hit’s ancient history expert, Tristan Hughes, digs deep into one of Ancient Egypt's greatest treasures, a site that ranks among the world’s most impressive religious sanctuaries in both its size, splendour and importance.

The pharaohs holy treasure