In terms of sheer longevity, writes Egyptologist Toby Wilkinson, the 3000-year reign of the pharaohs represents “the greatest political and religious system the world has ever known”. It was, however, a fiercely hierarchical affair that bestowed wealth and luxury on the king and the elites, while condemning the poor to a life of drudgery.

Ramses II lived into his 90s, while one of his predecessors, Pepi II, reached his century. The average life span for commoners was 35, with half the population dying in their late teens.