Egyptian pharaohs were iconic and pivotal figures in ancient history, symbolizing power, divinity, and mystery. As rulers of ancient Egypt, they left a legacy that continues to arouse fascination and curiosity among scholars and enthusiasts alike.
The Life of the Pharaohs: From the Origins to Beyond Their Death
First of all, it is important to know that the life of the pharaohs was characterized by several privileges and luxuries, since they were considered divine beings who were intermediaries between the gods and the people. In fact, they lived in very sumptuous palaces, surrounded by several servants, advisors and scribes, and from an early age they followed a rigorous education learning not only the sciences and arts, but also various actions on war.
Like their palaces, the pharaohs also took care of their personal appearance, in fact they wore clothes decorated with precious jewels, as well as a crown symbolizing power and authority. All this pomp and importance certainly did not end with their death, which was treated with the same grandeur and attention dedicated to them when they were still alive.
The Egyptians believed in the afterlife and thought that pharaohs had to be protected even after death: for this reason, complex funerary rites were performed, which served to guarantee the rebirth and immortality of their pharaoh. A practice considered essential was mummification, which served to preserve the body of the deceased for eternity.
After this step, the body of the pharaoh was buried inside magnificent tombs and the most famous are the pyramids, such as those of Giza, which are an incredible example of ancient architecture and engineering. The pyramids were not just tombs, but real symbols of power and inside the burial chambers were filled with various treasures, sacred texts, personal objects and everything that could be used to accompany the pharaoh in the afterlife.
The pyramids themselves are still studied in depth today because they are shrouded in many mysteries, especially regarding their construction since at that time the machinery that is available today certainly did not exist. Furthermore, it is fascinating that several pyramids, such as that of Cheops, were built and created for their astronomical alignments and mathematical proportions.
One of the most fascinating and mysterious tombs of the pharaohs remains that of Tutankhamun, which was discovered in 1922 by Howard Carter, and has remained intact to this day. As for the death of the pharaoh, which occurred very early at 18 years old, there are several theories according to which it could have been an illness, an accident or even murder.