The pharaoh is the iconic ruler from the ancient world,
immortalized in stone and gold and celebrated today in countless films and
books. But how did these monarchs – mortals who lived and died like anyone else
– spend their days? How did they become pharaoh? How did they govern and how
were they entertained? In this vividly written and authoritative account, Garry
Shaw conveys the full experience of what it was like to be pharaoh, from birth
to death, in private and in public, at court and on campaign. He shows how a
uniquely Egyptian vision of kingship, with its complex ideology and regalia,
evolved – from mythical beginnings to a last gasp under Roman rule. Pharaoh was
the intermediary between the gods and mankind, but he also had more earthly
duties and pastimes. We follow daily events, from waking up in the palace, to
evenings spent banqueting; in between the king was lawmaker, judge and priest.
The most important ceremonies are compellingly described, including the
coronation and the royal funeral, as well as the rigid protocol of an audience
before the monarch. Pharaohs were great warriors and builders too, leaving
their mark in the form of massive tombs, temples, palaces and even entire
cities. Supplemented by numerous box features, from the internal decoration of
pyramids and the women who became pharaoh to pharaonic pets, as well as quotations
from contemporary sources and a king list with brief biographies of all the
major pharaohs, this beautifully illustrated volume provides a comprehensive
insight into the Egyptian pharaoh and his world.
Published by Thames and Hudson on September 3rd 2012
http://www.tandhhighlights.co.uk/9780500051740.html
Click here to buy this book through amazon.co.uk:
The Pharaoh: Life at Court and on Campaign
