They owned the land of Egypt. At first they were called kings, later they were called pharaohs. Pharoah means "great house". A pharoah was also known as a ruler, a priest, and a god to the egyptains. Pharaohs would carry out special rituals. The pharoah would choose the government officials and the people would have no say in it. Pharaohs were treated with great respect. People would either bow down to the ground so their forehead touched it or they would play music and dance. The pharoah would make laws, collect taxes, and defend Egypt against enemies. He would make people make temples to worship their gods. When Egypt went to war the pharaoh would go into war. If the pharaoh won the people who were defeated had to recognize the pharaoh as their ruler and offered him the finest and most valuble goods from their land. Pharaohs were buried in pyramids. There are two kinds of pyramids pharaohs could be buried in 1) a step pyramid 2)a smooth pyramid. Look at the "Pyramid Page" to find more infomation. The pharaohs were also found in under ground burial places in the " Valley of the Kings" aka "Valley of the Tombs". A pharaoh was buried with their belongings because Egyptians believed the dead pharaoh would take them with him in the afterlife.