Why were pharaohs treated like gods?

Pharaohs were treated like gods in ancient Egypt due to their role as intermediaries between the divine and human realms. They were believed to embody the gods on Earth, particularly the sun god Ra, and their authority was seen as divinely ordained. This divine status justified their absolute power and control over the people, and it was reinforced through religious rituals, monumental architecture, and elaborate burial practices intended to ensure their safe passage to the afterlife. Such veneration solidified social order and cultural cohesion in Egyptian society.