Pharaohs of Egypt weren't cruel, they ruled in the name of Maat, the eternal truth. Although Egypt was a despotic monarchy, pharaohs weren't tyrants. In fact, the people of Egypt had much better life than people of the other countries. Killing each other for power - well it may have happened, but usually this wasn't the normal way of succession.
Killing servants - I personally don't think it has happened for such reasons. As for the pharaoh not going to battle, I'm not sure that it's true. There are several pictures of battles that were only symbolical, and in real battles the role of the pharaoh can be over-emphasized (Battle of Kadesh), sometimes a defeat is shown as a victory, but there is no proof that the Pharaoh didn't go to battle.[/i]
