a lintel from the Temple of Amun-Re at Karnak depicting Amenhotep I

Egypt's pharaohs delivered divine justice from beyond the grave

Whether alive or dead, pharaohs were the source of all law and order in ancient Egypt.

Shown here on a lintel from the Temple of Amun-Re at Karnak, Amenhotep I became a god after his death, and his followers consulted him on questions of justice.
Photograph by DEA/Getty Images
This content is Subscriber-Exclusive
You must have a National Geographic subscription to explore this article.

Read This Next

Did this mysterious human relative bury its dead?
This new birth control for cats doesn't require surgery
How the Zoot Suit Riots changed America

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet