Government of Ancient Egypt

History of Ancient Egypt

Government of Ancient Egypt

Learn about the formation of Government of Ancient Egypt and the ranks of government in it, as well as the history of this global civilization.

Government of Ancient Egypt

overview

The Pharaoh was in charge of the Ancient Egyptian government. The Pharaoh was the chief figurehead of both the state and the religion. He had a hierarchy of leaders and rulers below him who oversaw various elements of the government because he was unable to manage it alone.

Vizier

The Vizier served as the primary executive in the Pharaoh’s government. Similar to a prime minister, the vizier served as the country’s chief overseer. The vizier received reports from all the other officials. Imhotep, the first vizier, was maybe the most well-known. The first pyramid was designed by Imhotep, who was eventually transformed into a god.

The vizier was required by Egyptian law to: 1) follow the law, 2) render fair judgments, and 3) refrain from acting stubbornly or intentionally.

Nomarks

Nomarks, or local governors, served under the vizier. Over a region of land known as a nome, nomarks had power. Similar to a state or province, a nome. Sometimes the Pharaoh appointed nomarks, and other times the title was passed down from father to son by inheritance.

Other Officials

The general in charge of the army, the chief treasurer, and the minister of public works were additional representatives who answered to Pharaoh. The Pharaoh had the last say, although these officers each had particular duties and authority. Priests and scribes made up a large portion of the Pharaoh’s administration.

Scribes were crucial to the functioning of the government because they documented taxes, the census, and financial transactions. To monitor the farmers and make sure they were performing their duties, overseers of the land were also appointed.

Monarchy

The typical citizen had no voice in the government. But because the Pharaoh was revered as a god and the people’s intermediary with the gods, they frequently accepted him as their supreme ruler without protest.

Facts about the Ancient Egyptian Government

• The wives of the Pharaohs were the second most powerful people in the land after the Pharaohs.
• Citizens had to pay taxes to support the government.
• In the New Kingdom, court cases were ruled by a local council of elders called a Kenbet.
• Pharaohs would hold court for his top officials and high priests. People would approach him and kiss the ground at his feet.
• They did not have a complicated set of laws and statutes. In many cases the judges were to rule using common sense in an effort to come to an agreement.

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