The Pharaohs
The term “Pharaoh” is commonly used to refer to the rulers of ancient Egypt. This designation has been in use since approximately 3100 BC and continued until the Macedonian conquest, marking the end of the Ptolemaic dynasty. The word “Pharaoh” also denoted members of the royal court and the palatial structures themselves. The first known Pharaoh was King Sa Ammon. The term appears a total of seventy-one times across twenty-seven chapters in the Quran, and its origins can be traced back to the ancient Nubian language, pronounced as “Baru.”
The Monuments of the Pharaohs
The Pyramids of Giza
The Pyramids are located in the Giza region, on the western bank of the Nile River. Their construction dates back to a period spanning from 2480 to 2550 BC. The three primary pyramids are those of Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. Renowned for their captivating architectural design, they are also counted among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. These structures served as burial sites for the Pharaohs of that era. The Pharaohs opted for a pyramidal design based on their belief that life originally emerged in this form, as documented in their religious texts. Today, the Pyramids are one of Egypt’s most visited tourist attractions.
Obelisks
Obelisks consist of four-sided stone towers topped with a pointed pyramidion. During the Pharaonic civilization, they were inscribed with numerous hieroglyphics and adorned with religious and royal imagery. Egypt is home to eight ancient standing obelisks out of a total of twenty-eight worldwide. One of the most famous is the Obelisk of Pharaoh Senusret I, located in Matariya, part of the Heliopolis district in Cairo.
The Karnak Temple
The Karnak Temple stands as a significant ancient Egyptian heritage site in Luxor. Each pharaoh aimed to establish a temple marked by an impressive architectural and engineering style, surpassing that of their predecessors. The temple features a striking sound and light system utilized during nighttime ceremonies. Construction began under Senusret I during the Middle Kingdom and was completed in the Ptolemaic era. It became a center for worship during the Eighteenth Dynasty (the Triad) and includes various structures such as halls, chapels, towers, and service buildings.
The Amun-Ra Courtyard is the largest sanctuary within the complex and is distinguished by its enormous statues, the tallest of which reaches 10.5 meters. The south of the Amun courtyard is home to the area of Mut, which consists of several smaller interconnected temples arranged in a crescent shape. It also features six statues crafted from black granite. Currently, the Mut area remains closed to the public.