Question

Which description BEST explains the relationship of religion and political authority in Ancient Egypt?

Answer 1

Answer: Both religion and political authority were linked, and controlled by the Pharaoh.

Explanation: The Pharaoh was called the Lord of the two Lands, meaning the human word and the divine world. He oversaw religious ceremonies and collected the tax. The Pharaoh was seen as a god as well as a connection between the gods and men, or a priest. At the same time he was the king and his power was absolute. Because of this, there was no difference between the religion that the ancient Egyptians practiced and their submission to the political authority controlled by the Pharaoh.

Answer 2

The government of ancient Egypt was a theocratic monarchy as the king ruled by a mandate from the gods, initially was seen as an intermediary between human beings and the divine, and was supposed to represent the gods' will through the laws passed and policies approved.

Religion and politics in ancient Egyptian society were inseparable. Ancient Egyptians were incurably religious. Social and political life was a religious phenomenon. The king of Egypt, Pharaoh was not only despotic, but comprehensively authoritarian