The king alone, Son of the Sun, was of sufficiently high descent to contemplate the god in his temple, to serve him, and to speak with him face to face.

Sacrifices could be offered only by him, or through him, and in his name.

Even the customary offerings to the dead were supposed to pass through his hands, and the family availed themselves of his name in the formula _suten ta hotep_ to forward them to the other world.

The king is seen, therefore, in all parts of the temple, standing, seated, kneeling, slaying the victim, presenting the parts, pouring out the wine, the milk, and the oil, and burning the incense.

All humankind acts through him, and through him performs its duty towards the gods.