Mysterious Ancient Egypt is often called the cradle of civilization, because it was here that many objects of the material world and the political sphere were first invented or improved. The Egyptians managed to create a complex state structure, headed by a pharaoh - the supreme ruler, who, as ordinary people believed, was a representative of the gods on earth. The Egyptians also had nomarchs. This is an interesting term, so get to know it better.
Definition of a concept
In antiquity, the nom was a community grown from tribal units and having a more complex structure. And the nomarch is the ruler of such a community. Initially, in Egypt there were more than 40 nomes, each of which was distinguished by independence, so there was no talk of a single state yet.
However, civilization continued its development, and the nomes first united in Upper and Lower Egypt, and then a single Egyptian kingdom was formed. Therefore, we can say that the nomarch is not just a ruler, but also the forerunner of the powerful pharaohs.
Management unit after merging
So, a single powerful state was formed, headed by the pharaoh. In addition to the supreme ruler, the following posts were allocated:
- Vizier. He served as chancellor, kept the state press, was in charge of the treasury and urban planning. His powers were broad.
- Military commander - he was in charge of the army.
- Nomarchs are local governors, representatives of the mighty pharaoh in remote areas of Egypt. When the consolidation of centralized power took place during the Middle Kingdom , the pharaohs tried to choose among the governors people who were ready for submission, and to remove the proud rulers, accustomed to independence, with the help of a strong army.
So, at the head of state was the pharaoh, whose power was not limited. In places, especially in areas remote from the capital, he appointed his faithful governor. In ancient Egypt, he was called nomarch. Gradually, the administrative division becomes more complicated, more and more new nomes appear, and the rulers try to select people who have become famous in the battles, but have noble origin, among the governors.
Nomarch is a term that has been rethought. If initially it was a governor, rich and noble, independent, then with the advent of state centralization, the word began to mean the governor of the pharaoh, a man loyal to him, who earned his position in battle.