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With the unification of upper and Lower Egypt around the start of the third millennium BC we enter the period known as the Dynastic Period, the time of the Pharaoh's. Although over the three thousand years that these ultimate rulers controlled their domains, their role may have changed in some ways, it is safe to say that even over this long period of time, there are some general statements that we can make about these rulers.

These Pharaohs, or kings (even the female rulers were seen as the embodiment of a male entity) lived at the absolute pinnacle of human life. Even the most exalted of their subjects, such as advisors and even close family members, would have been expected to lie prostrate on the ground before him until being allowed to stand by the Pharaoh himself. His major role was to intercede with the deities for the welfare of the people and thus his role was a combination of earthly kingship and otherworldly priesthood.

The Pharaoh was normally the elder son of the previous kings senior wife, Pharoahs had often a number of wives and numerous children. He would have been groomed for the role from an early age and married with in his own family, to a cousin, half sister or even sister, this incestuous set may have been to protect the pure genetics of the family. When he attained the throne he would be seen as being separate from the mortal humans around him, having become the living embodiment of Horus, one of the most important gods. There is an element of reincarnation about the Pharaohs role, each being seen as the vessel to hold the same god. It explains why many Pharaohs had no problems in dedicating older monuments and pyramids to themselves. If each Pharaoh was in fact the embodiment of the god then it follows that all Pharaohs past, present and future were one in the same and therefore ownership of the past was not a problem.

When the Pharaoh died he would be transported to the Duat, a part in the sky where Osiris, father of Horus, dwelt and their status in this next life was based on the goods that they took with them, it was for this reason that they were buried with massive wealth, to assure high status in their future.

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