They had massive structures built such as the pyramids and the Sphinx, as well as grand tombs and funerary complexes. The pharaohs, the civilization’s political and religious leaders, were thought of to be living gods. They believed in the power of ritual and tradition to bring order out of chaos, as well as developed a complex system of beliefs and practices that continues to inspire us today. Ancient Egypt’s culture was founded on a profound understanding of the human condition and an acceptance of the intrinsic laws that govern the soul. The Egyptian civilization was one of the most powerful and long-lasting in human history. Brief overview of ancient Egyptian civilization