Question

which of these best explains why ancient egyptians believed that the pharaoh was both a king and a god? a the pharaoh performed supernatural feats before mass audiences. b the pharaoh’s government protected the people from invasion, disease, and famine. c nomadic invaders from the east brought stories of the pharaoh’s divinity, spreading support. d egyptian religion contained no other gods, leaving a religious gap that the pharaoh could fill.

Explanation:

• Option A: There's no evidence pharaohs performed supernatural feats publicly.
• Option B: The pharaoh's government (through administration, irrigation, etc.) protected people from threats like invasion, disease, famine. This led Egyptians to see the pharaoh as having divine-like power to ensure prosperity, so they believed he was a god - king.
• Option C: Nomadic invaders wouldn't spread support for pharaoh's divinity; they were more likely to disrupt.
• Option D: Egyptian religion had many gods (e.g., Ra, Isis), so this is incorrect.

Answer:

B. The pharaoh’s government protected the people from invasion, disease, and famine.