Ancient kings of Atlantic islands, it's said (8)

I believe the answer is:

pharaohs

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'ancient kings' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

I cannot understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pharaohs that I've seen before include "Ancient kings of Egypt" , "Ancient Egyptian kings" , "Ancient Egyptian royalty" , "Royal rulers of ancient Egypt" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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