The pyramids became the focus of a cult of the dead king that was supposed to continue well after his death. To properly care for his spirit, the corpse was mummified, and everything the king would need in the afterlife was buried with him, including gold vessels, food, furniture and other offerings. The new pharaoh, in turn, became Horus, the falcon-god who served as protector of the sun god, Ra.ĭid you know? The pyramid's smooth, angled sides symbolized the rays of the sun and were designed to help the king's soul ascend to heaven and join the gods, particularly the sun god Ra.Īncient Egyptians believed that when the king died, part of his spirit (known as “ka”) remained with his body. Because of this, it was in everyone’s interest to keep the king’s majesty intact even after his death, when he was believed to become Osiris, god of the dead. Somewhere in between human and divine, they were believed to have been chosen by the gods themselves to serve as their mediators on earth. Kings held a unique position in Egyptian society. Building Egypt's Largest Pyramids The Pharaoh in Egyptian Societyĭuring the third and fourth dynasties of the Old Kingdom, Egypt enjoyed tremendous economic prosperity and stability.
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