Rulers of Ancient Egypt

3,400-year-old statue of Pharaoh Amenhotep III

Menes (Between 3100-3000BC)

Successfully united Upper and Lower EgyptFirst pharaoh of a united EgyptAccording to texts, he inherited the crown

from the god, Horus.Responsible to building the city of Memphis-

most fertile place in all of Egypt

Khufu (Cheops) (2551-2528 B.C.)

Most famous for his construction of the Great Pyramid

Not much is known about his personal life or his rule

His tomb was robbed and no remains of his mummy was found.

Akhenaten (1353-1336BC) Soon after becoming pharaoh, he discarded loyalty to the

highest god Amon. Changed Egypt from polytheism to monotheism Began the cult worship of the sun disk.. The Aten He closed temples and banned worship of any other gods. After he died, nearly everything associated with him was

destroyed…his mummy has never been discovered. His son, Tutankhamun brought back the old ways

Hatshepsut (1479-1458BC) Hatshepsut became a co-regent and ruled right along side

the young stepson Within the second or third year of this co-regency reign,

Hatshepsut proclaimed herself king she tried to make herself more god-like by the invention of

stories with attachment to gods she attached a false beard, wore male clothing, and was

depicted in statutes as a pharaoh Her stepson took the throne after her disappearance. It’s

also believed that the hatred for his stepmother pushed him to erase her memory.

Ramses II (1279-1213BC) There is much information about him due to his many

monuments still standing today His monuments include Abu Simbel and the completion of

Karnak His tomb in the Valley of the Kings is empty. Over the years

it was looted and eventually destroyed. However his mummy was found. It is one of the best preserved mummies ever found.