1. In Ancient Egypt, the pharaoh governed by relying on A. surpluses B. merchants C. a bureaucracy D. scribes
The correct answer is C. a bureaucracy.
To arrive at this answer, one can first eliminate options A and B. Surpluses and merchants were important for the economy and trade in Ancient Egypt, but they were not directly related to how the pharaoh governed the kingdom.
To choose between options C and D, one can consider the role of scribes in Ancient Egypt. Scribes were highly educated individuals who held important administrative positions in the government. They were responsible for maintaining records, writing official documents, and communicating on behalf of the pharaoh.
On the other hand, bureaucracy refers to a system of government in which various departments and offices are responsible for executing policies and managing the affairs of the state. In Ancient Egypt, the pharaoh relied on a bureaucracy to carry out his directives and maintain order throughout the kingdom.
Given these considerations, we can conclude that the correct answer is C. a bureaucracy.