The Stellar Destiny of the Pharaohs
Ancient Egypt had three major kingdoms: Old (2686–2181 BCE), Middle (2055–1650 BCE), and New (1550–1069 BCE). Though the divine status of the Pharaoh may have gone through some minor changes over the course of the three kingdoms, his primary role remained unchanged. The pharaoh was considered the keeper of the cosmic order. In his role, he was the living or earthly link between the gods and humans. Therefore, the king and his power were closely connected with the celestial cycles. Celestial cycles included the calendar -which identified important astronomical events like the Summer Solstice- and the annual flooding of the Nile. The order and predictability of these natural cycles were very important to the Ancient Egyptians and their understanding of the natural order in the universe.
In the burial chambers of pharaohs, it is evident that the king was destined for an afterlife amongst the stars. There are references to the ‘Imperishable or Indestructible. ‘The Imperishable or Indestructible were the two stars (Circumpolar stars) that circle the North Pole. They were and still are visible every day, all year round. It was a reassuring reminder for the Ancient Egyptians as they believed this to be the ultimate resting place for the souls of their dead kings.
