What archaeological evidence is there that says that the pharaoh in ancient Egypt was considered divine?

Question

any information would be much help. cheers

Answer 1

It's a complicated perspective regarding the pharaoh's divinity. Obviously Egyptians were aware that pharaohs were mortal and that they died, but they believed that the spirit of various gods inhabited the living pharaoh, and that when he then died, he became a full god.

The pharaoh was identified with two specific gods while on earth--Ra and Horus. Each pharaoh had a Horus name and a name that was accompanied by the title 'son of Ra' (these were only 2 of the five royal names of the pharaoh). Then, when the pharaoh died, his spirit was said to both ascend to the heavens to become one with Ra, and also to descend into the underworld to become one with Osiris. Thus the complexities of Egyptian religion.

The archaeological evidence derives from the cartouches of the pharaohs (as mentioned) and various Egyptian funerary texts, including the Litany of Re, the Book of Caverns, and the Book of Coming Forth By Day (otherwise known as the Book of the Dead).

Answer 2

Some pretty freaking huge tombs called pyramids, not to mention some big statues here and there.... just kidding, you may have a point, that does not mean pharaohs were considered living divinities. Based on that logic, future archaeologists unearthing Washington DC would think that Abraham Lincoln was considered a God too.

I think most of the archaeological evidence must be in hieroglyphs and other written chronicles from both Egypt and its neighbors, such as Greek, Syrian and Persian texts.

Answer 3

Cartouches around names were usually reserved for Gods, Godesses, and Egyptian royalty. That infers that they were considered as divine, but other than that I don't know.

Answer 4

There are plenty of Egyptian writings to that extent.

Answer 5

He was mummified with an erection.