Pharaoh Curses Courses

Pharaoh curses are ancient magico-religious practices originating in ancient Egypt. They refer to a system of punishment for those who violated certain religious, moral, and/or ethical codes. The Pharaoh, who was considered a conduit of divine authority, would pronounce a curse that, depending on the severity, could be anything from an exile from the court to more permanent physical ailments or even death. Many famous Pharaoh curses come from Egypt’s Pyramid Texts which tell of the Pharaoh's wrath for those who enter the Pharaoh's tombs without permission. The curses were intended to have supernatural power, with the intention of preventing any kind of human intervention from profaning the Pharaoh's funeral ritual and any attempts to remove his possessions from his tomb. They often included curses of horror, disaster, and despair that would befall the curse-breaker, their property and family. In some cases, the curse might even extend to future generations of their family. Curses could also be meant to frighten away looters and other tomb raiders, as well as to offer protection to the Pharaoh's funerary possessions. Ancient texts warn that anyone who violates the Pharaoh's tomb and disturbs his burial will be "smitten with fire and noisome beasts, become an outcast on the face of the earth." The fear of Pharaoh curses is still present in Egypt today, as people believe that violating the Pharaoh’s tomb will bring misfortune upon them. Although the power of these curses has faded over time, some ancient Pharaoh curses still remain, providing a reminder of the danger of disturbing a Pharaoh's tomb.