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How were ancient Egyptian provinces called nomes governed?

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Side view of the Sphinx with the Great Pyramid of Khufu rising behind it on the Giza Plateau near Cairo, Egypt. — ancient Egypt Side view of the Sphinx with the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) rising in the background, Giza, Egypt.

In ancient Egypt, the country was divided into administrative districts known as nomes. During the Old and Middle Kingdoms, each of these provinces was governed by an official called a nomarch.12

The responsibilities of a nomarch included:
* Taxation: Levying taxes on the local population.1
* Justice: Administering legal matters within the district.1
* Military: Maintaining a local army or militia.1

While the king remained the absolute authority at the center of the state, the administration of these provinces was essential to the functioning of the Egyptian government, particularly in the collection, storage, and redistribution of produce. In periods when central control weakened, local grandees—often the nomarchs—exercised significant power, effectively managing these functions independently.3