Many of these were simply translated using local equivalents. It's especially visible in art. For instance this painting features people in contemporary (to the artist) clothing, wielding modern weaponry and armor. Likewise this illustration of Leipzig Mahzor (Jewish prayer book) shows Egyptian army as modern knights - note the "cart" - the books mention war wagons, but the concept of "chariots" is unknown to the author.

Many people considered Pharaoh simply a name of the king of Egypt (note that in KJV he's not 'the pharaoh', but capitalised). The concept of "generational change" is a fairly new one.