Ancient Egypt was a fascinating civilization that left an invaluable legacy for humanity. Among the greatest curiosities of that era are the most important pharaohs.
The pharaohs were considered living gods and were the absolute rulers of the country for over 3 millennia, building grandiose monuments that endure to this day.
Therefore, if you are interested in ancient history and Egyptian culture, stay with us in this Insight Factory guide, as we will show you more about the biography and achievements of the main pharaohs of the time!
Top 10 most important pharaohs of Egypt
Over a period that lasted more than 3,000 years, the pharaohs ruled the country with an iron fist, leaving their mark in history.
However, some pharaohs became more famous than others for their conquests, reforms, or even their mysterious death. Check out who the main pharaohs of ancient Egypt were!
1. Narmer, the First pharaoh
Narmer, also known as Menes, was the first pharaoh to unify Egypt, around 3100 BC. He is considered the founder of the 1st Dynasty and is represented on the Narmer Palette, a stone artifact depicting his victory over Upper Egypt.
2. Djoser, the pyramid architect
Djoser, of the 3rd Dynasty, was the first pharaoh to build a large-scale pyramid. The Step Pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara is a tiered structure considered the prototype for later pyramids.
3. Khufu, the pharaoh of the Great pyramid
Khufu, of the 4th Dynasty, is Egypt’s most famous pharaoh. He is responsible for building the Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The pyramid is 146 meters tall and made of millions of stone blocks.
4. Khafre, the Pharaoh of the Khafre Pyramid
Khafre, Khufu’s brother, also built a pyramid at Giza. The Pyramid of Khafre is slightly smaller than Khufu’s but is considered better constructed. The pyramid also houses the Great Sphinx of Giza, a colossal statue of a lion with a human head.
5. Menkaure, the Pharaoh of the Menkaure Pyramid
Menkaure, son of Khafre, is the third pharaoh of the 4th Dynasty. He built the smallest of the three pyramids at Giza, but it is considered the best-preserved.
6. Amenhotep III, the pharaoh of prosperity
Amenhotep III, of the 18th Dynasty, is considered one of the most prosperous pharaohs in Egyptian history. He ruled for over 30 years, and during his reign, Egypt achieved great economic and cultural development.
7. Akhenaten, the heretic pharaoh
Akhenaten, of the 18th Dynasty, was a controversial pharaoh who attempted to introduce a new monotheistic religion in Egypt. He moved the country’s capital to Amarna and built a new temple dedicated to the god Aten.
8. Thutmose III, the conqueror pharaoh
Thutmose III, of the 18th Dynasty, was one of Egypt’s greatest conquerors. He led successful military campaigns that expanded Egyptian territory to Syria and Palestine.
9. Hatshepsut, the female pharaoh
Hatshepsut, of the 18th Dynasty, was the only female pharaoh to independently rule Egypt. She governed for over 20 years, and during her reign, Egypt achieved significant economic and cultural development.
10. Tutankhamun, the pharaoh of the intact tomb
Tutankhamun, of the 18th Dynasty, was a pharaoh who reigned for only 10 years. He died young, and his tomb was found intact in 1922. The discovery was a milestone in the history of Egyptology and continues to attract visitors from all over the world.
These are just some of the curiosities about the most important pharaohs of Egypt. The history of this fascinating civilization continues to captivate us to this day, as it still holds many secrets waiting to be discovered, which will likely help us better understand ancient Egyptian civilization.