The pharaohs held so much power because they were seen as the divine intermediaries between the gods and the people. They were considered to be the earthly embodiment of the god Horus and were responsible for maintaining the harmonious order of the universe. As a result, the pharaohs had absolute authority in all aspects of Egyptian life, including religion, politics, and the economy.
How did the pharaohs hold so much power?
1. State control: The pharaohs controlled all aspects of the state, including the army, the bureaucracy, and the economy. This allowed them to suppress any potential threats to their power.
2. Religious authority: The pharaohs were considered to be divine beings and were worshipped as gods. This gave them a tremendous amount of religious authority and allowed them to control the beliefs and actions of the people.
3. Propaganda: The pharaohs used a variety of propaganda techniques to maintain their power, including art, architecture, and literature. These tools were used to glorify the pharaohs and their accomplishments and to remind the people of their divine status.
4. Terror: The pharaohs were not afraid to use violence to maintain their power. They used their military to crush rebellions and to execute those who opposed them. This helped to keep the people in line and discouraged dissent.
The combination of these factors allowed the pharaohs to hold so much power for so long. They were able to maintain their absolute authority over Egypt for over 3,000 years.