Ancient Egypt

  • 3100 BCE

    Unification of Egypt

    • King Narmer (Menes) unites Upper and Lower Egypt.
    • Start of the Early Dynastic Period.
    • Development of hieroglyphic writing and centralized monarchy.
  • Period: 2686 BCE to 2181 BCE

    Old Kingdom (age of pyramids)

    • Capital at Memphis.
    • Pharaohs seen as gods on Earth.
    • Construction of pyramids at Giza (Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure).
    • Strong centralized government and organized labor systems.
  • Period: 2181 BCE to 2055 BCE

    First Intermediate Period

    • Political instability and famine.
    • Regional governors (nomarchs) gain power; division of the kingdom.
  • Period: 2055 BCE to 1650 BCE

    Middle Kingdom

    • Egypt reunified under Mentuhotep II.
    • Expansion of trade and arts.
    • Thebes becomes the new capital.
    • Advances in literature and irrigation.
  • Period: 1650 BCE to 1550 BCE

    Second Intermediate Period

    • Egypt invaded by the Hyksos, who introduce horses and chariots.
    • Division between Hyksos in the north and native rulers in the south.
  • Period: 1550 BCE to 1070 BCE

    New Kingdom (Empire Age)

    • Egypt’s golden age of power and wealth.
    • Pharaohs such as Hatshepsut, Thutmose III, Akhenaten, Tutankhamun, and Ramses II.
    • Expansion into Nubia and the Near East.
    • Construction of massive temples (Karnak, Luxor, Abu Simbel).
  • Period: 1070 BCE to 664 BCE

    Third Intermediate Period

    • Decline of central power; foreign invasions.
    • Rule divided between priests in Thebes and kings in the Delta.
    • Increasing Nubian influence.
  • Period: 664 BCE to 332 BCE

    Late Period

    • Egypt reunified under strong rulers
    • Repeated invasions by Assyrians and Persians.
    • Brief revivals of art and culture.
  • Period: 332 BCE to 30 BCE

    Ptolemaic Period

    • Alexander the Great conquers Egypt (332 BCE).
    • Greek rulers (the Ptolemies) rule from Alexandria.
    • Cleopatra VII is the last active ruler before Roman conquest.
  • 30 BCE

    Egypt becomes a Roman province

    • After Cleopatra’s death, Egypt is annexed by Rome.
    • End of the pharaonic era.