A common feature of their reigns was military campaigns, as many pharaohs aimed to increase their realms or defend their borders from outside threats. Monuments honoring triumphs and fallen soldiers spin winnerbear witness to the legacy of these military undertakings. A pharaoh's authority could be threatened by periods of instability, though, as this struggle for power frequently resulted in internal conflict as competing factions fought for control. These ancient leaders constantly had to strike a delicate balance between upholding their position of authority and attending to the needs of society.
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