Ancient Egyptian civilization, born in the Nile Valley, was the first nation in history, unified under a single king, the Pharaoh. The Pharaoh's government protected the land, enforced laws, and maintained internal peace, fostering national pride and unity among the Egyptians. They believed their king was a living god, possessing magic control over the land and its prosperity, leading to the construction of pyramids as eternal dwelling places for the Pharaohs. This immense investment in tombs, however, eventually contributed to the decline of the Egyptian economy and civilization.