YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO
Egypt’s mighty pharaohs
The pharaohs of ancient Egypt have left an indelible mark on the land they once ruled. From their magnificent pyramids towering above the barren sands of the desert, to their treasure-laden tombs deep below ground, the pharaohs’ power remains visible for all to see. But who were they, and how did they live?
In this Essential Guide, we’ll be taking a closer look at the men and women who ruled ancient Egypt – from the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt in c3100 BC, to the end of the pharaonic era in 30 BC. Helping us to separate fact from fiction is historian and Egyptologist Professor Joyce Tyldesley, who will answer questions on some of the most important aspects of the topic – from the reigns of female kings, to the training undertaken by royal heirs.
We’ll also step inside the long-lost tomb of Tutankhamun, find out what happened to the bodies of Egyptian kings after they died, and learn about the gods and goddesses they worshipped. But first, turn over the page to explore a dynastical timeline of ancient Egypt…
Timeline of the pharaonic age
Discover more than 3,000 years of kingly rule with our handy overview of key dates and dynasties
Everything you wanted to know about Egyptian pharaohs
Professor Joyce Tyldesley answers questions about Egypt’s ancient rulers
Egypt’s most powerful women
Men weren’t the only people to shape one of antiquity’s greatest civilisations
Life as a pharaoh
What was daily life really like for the rulers of ancient Egypt?
Six things you (probably) didn’t know about Tutankhamun
He is one of Egypt’s most famous pharaohs, but how much do you really know about the young ruler?
Inside Tutankhamun’s tomb
Explore the final resting place of the so-called ‘boy king’, whose discovery in 1922 remains one of the world’s greatest archaeological finds
Ensuring a legacy
Discover the tombs and temples that continue to enthral visitors today
The men who ruled Egypt
From Khufu to Ramesses II, meet some of Egypt’s most significant pharaohs
The quest for immortality
Find out why the afterlife was so important to the ancient Egyptians
Get hooked
Continue your journey into ancient Egypt with our pick of books, podcasts and television programmes to investigate next
Historical consultant for this month’s essential guide
Joyce Tyldesley is professor of Egyptology at the University of Manchester. Her latest book, Tutankhamun – Pharaoh, Icon, Enigma: Ten Tales of Egypt’s Enduring King, is due to be published by Headline on 27 October
PODCAST
Professor Joyce Tyldesley discusses the pharaohs of ancient Egypt on the HistoryExtra podcast: historyextra.com/pharaohs-qa