Power struggles ancient Egypt from "summary" of Mystery of the Egyptian Amulet by Scott Peters

Power struggles have been a big part of ancient Egyptian history since the earliest days of the civilization. Those in positions of power often found themselves conflicting with each other to maintain their grasp on control. Conflicts ranged from small, individual scuffles to major military campaigns between ruling dynasties and empires.

Without any set rules governing proper conduct among rival factions, civil war was common. Pharaohs had to remain vigilant in order to ensure their royal lineage continued uninterrupted and that their kingdom flourished. This meant exerting force when necessary and allowing dissenters no room to defy authority or challenge the status quo.

Most intra-kingdom conflicts were seen as tests of strength and courage. Those who won were viewed as worthier candidates for royal bloodlines or even military promotions. Pharaohs exploited this tradition by rewarding loyalty and punishing disloyalty with severe consequences, such as exile or execution.

Ancient Egyptian society was highly stratified and included not just kings, queens, and pharaohs but also viziers, governors, priests, and temple administrators. Each one had their own definitions of what constituted acceptable behavior by an individual or group. Disputes between powerful individuals often resulted in devastating consequences for those who dared to rebel against the authority figures.

Pharaohs and their appointed officials sometimes used extreme methods to enforce their will among the people. Kings would declare "divine right" laws that put their own interests above all else. Through these measures Pharaohs managed to stay on top for centuries, while those beneath them were left to fight amongst themselves for scraps of resources.

Although power struggles occurred throughout the reigns of different Pharaohs, some eras featured heightened hostility and internal strife. During times of chronic unrest and public dissent, regimes gave away scarce resources to pacify the populace, yet such tactics only served to widen the rift between rulers and citizens.

In many cases, the outcomes depended upon whether the disputants could muster enough support from smaller groups of influential individuals. Allies were sought and alliances formed as each party tried to gain the upper hand. This often led to betrayals and political maneuvering instead of straight-forward attacks and conflict resolution.

When it came to disputes between powerful disadvantaged parties, religion played a key role in swaying loyalties and providing divine justification for their beliefs. Many people worked hard to gain favor with various gods in order to get what they wanted. The most revered deities often became the subjects of cult followings as more people valued their wisdom and support.