Their responsibilities included political, religious, & military tasks, such as conducting military campaigns, presiding over ceremonies, and acting as supreme judges. Pharaonic rule was dynastic, which meant that a small number of famiteen patti plus apklies frequently held the majority of the power. In addition to times of conflict and decline, this system brought about periods of stability and prosperity. Over thousands of years, the Pharaohs' history is replete with notable triumphs in architecture, art, and governance, as well as setbacks like internal power struggles & foreign invasions. An understanding of ancient Egypt's social, cultural, and political systems can be gained by researching the Pharaohs' reign.