Egyptian Government essays

Egyptian Government essays A single man dominated ancient Egyptian government; this man was the Pharaoh. The people believed that the king was more than a man, that he was in some way an ordained ruler for the Egyptian Gods. For this reason the Pharaoh had absolute control over the affairs of the empire and its people. However, Ancient Egypt was also a partial-theocracy. This means that the clergy of ancient Egypt possessed a certain amount of power over the people of the society. The Pharaohs advisors and ministers were almost always priests. These priests were considered the only ones worthy and able to carry out the god kings commands. As in most religious ancient societies, priests had special status above the rest of the citizens, forming a kind of nobility (Wilson, 1966). As the head of the government, the Pharaoh was theoretically said to have a life of total control. However, in actuality he was as subject to the demands of his own policies just as the people whom he ruled. The Pharaoh did not live a life of dull luxury. This all-important being was the embodiment of the Gods and the soul of the state. With all the duties of the Pharaoh, he had to empower deputies to help him with his duties. These deputies included; a Vizier, which saw over the civil administrations, high priests over the temple administrations, and commander of his personal and professional armies. The Vizier was the most important official under the Pharaoh. He represented divine authority, perception, and justice. He was heavily charged with the responsibility to be fair and equitable. His primary role was chief magistrate, the kings right hand man so to speak. The vizier remained important throughout Egyptian history. Many titles were given to this prominent position over the centuries, they include: prince, count, seal bearer of the king, and chief officer of the state. He was the ...