Ancient Egypt's pharaohs? DESPOTS - or rulers sworn to UPHOLD A MORAL CONSTITUTION known as the Rule of MAAT (goddess of truth and justice)

In these post-Trumpian and anti-patriarchal times is it a simplification to label ancient Egypt’s pharaohs as mere despots? You see it creeping into book titles such as "Pharaohs of the Sun: How Egypt's Despots and Dreamers Drove the Rise and Fall of Tutankhamun's Dynasty". It's also present in a growing sensitivity to the issue in Kara Cooney's "The Good Pharaohs".

The ancient Egyptian pharaohs were often seen as divine rulers who were responsible for maintaining order and balance in the land. The concept of ma'at, which was associated with the goddess Maat, played a significant role in ancient Egyptian society and was closely tied to the pharaohs. The pharaohs were expected to uphold the principles of ma'at and act in accordance with them. This included ensuring justice and fairness, maintaining the order and balance of the universe, and protecting the rights and well-being of the people. While the pharaohs had absolute power, they were also expected to act in accordance with the principles of ma'at and uphold justice and order. In this sense, the pharaohs could be seen as kings who were sworn to uphold a moral constitution known as the Rule of Maat.