The pharaohs of ancient Egypt were superhuman entities — gods who lorded over men. Worshiped and romanticized as mystical leaders with complete control, they inspired grand monuments that still stand as testimony to their grip on Egypt and its people.

But if we shift our perspective, the massive pyramids, towering temple complexes, and ornate tombs take on the sheen of ancient propaganda. How did the pharaohs secure and maintain their power over the kingdom of Egypt and beyond?

Viewed as politicians, the pharaohs employed art, architecture, the military, and religion to maintain their authority. Over 3,000 years, pharaohs like Narmer, Mentuhotep, Thutmose II, and Akhenaten developed new political strategies to suit the era. In times of drought, social unrest, enemy incursion, and palace intrigue, pharaohs strategized and deputized priests, architects, scribes, and generals — all of whom were part of the political establishment.

What were the political machinations of the ancient world and how did millennia of pharaonic rule suddenly crumble into dust?