Pharaoh

: This article refers to the historical pharaoh. For pharaoh in the Book of Abraham, see Pharaoh (Book of Abraham); for the book by Boleslaw Prus, see Faraon; for the computer game see Pharaoh (computer game)

Etymology

The term derives ultimately from the Egyptian words Pr-Aa meaning "Great House". Originally a term for the royal palace, this word came into vogue to refer to the king. The earliest certain instance of the term "pharaoh" is in a letter addressed to Thutmose III in the mid-Eighteenth Dynasty (1539-1292 BC). By the Twenty-Second Dynasty (c. 945-c. 720 BC) this usage had been extended and was now used occasionally just as hm.f "His Majesty" was used in earlier periods. It was not the official title, but was used in letters to the monarch. It is frequently used by modern historians due to its use in the Bible, especially the Book of Exodus, and in the ancient Greek and Roman writers; although the Bible, at least in the Hebrew original, treats pharaoh like a proper name rather than like a title.

Related Topics:
Egyptian - Thutmose III - Eighteenth Dynasty - 1539 - 1292 BC - Twenty-Second Dynasty - 945 - 720 BC - Bible - Book of Exodus - Proper name

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