A Timeline of Ancient Egypt

Early Dynastic Period (3000-2575 BC) The Age of State Formation: Dynasties 1-3 Around 3000 BC, driven by technological innovations and the growing needs of an expanding population, Ancient Egyptian civilization slowly emerged. The Early Dynastic Period is the culmination and the continuation of this evolution, a time when all aspects of the civilization were being defined.

Old Kingdom (2575-2150 BC) The Age of the Pyramids: Dynasties 4-6 With the central government’s power well-established throughout the country, Egypt entered an era of peace and stability. This resulted in building projects, including pyramids. Building pyramids was only possible through an efficient administration and technological advances. Arts peaked to a high and the solar cult became the driving force behind religion.

1st Intermediate Period (2150-2040 BC) Decline and Civil War: Dynasties 7/8-11 Towards the end of the 6th dynasty, the central government started losing control over the local provinces. Several factors, including climatic changes, had allowed local governors to strengthen their positions and rule their provinces as if they were kings. Out of this chaos arose two rival houses that would plunge Egypt into a civil war for control over the entire country.

Middle Kingdom (2040-1640 BC) The Classical Era: Dynasties 11-13 The reunification of Egypt by the Theban ruler Mentuhotep II ended the century of civil war and made Thebes one of the country’s most important religious and political centers. This was a time of restoration when arts, crafts, and Egypt’s political power would flourish again to a new high.

2nd Intermediate Period (1640-1540 BC) The Age of the Hyksos: Dynasties 14-17 The kings of the 13th Dynasty gradually lost control over the central government, allowing local rulers to seize power. Among them was a group of people of Asian origin known as Hyksos who would impose their reign on almost the entire country. When the local Theban princes stopped recognizing the Hyksos as Egypt’s legitimate rulers, the struggle for freedom would begin.

New Kingdom (1540-1070 BC) The Age of Empire: Dynasties 18-20 Through a series of conquests, the Egyptians grained control over Syria-Palestine and Nubia. Bounties and diplomatic gifts provided Egypt with enormous wealth. Building projects of an unprecedented scale honored both the gods and the kings who had given Egypt its greatness.

Late Dynastic Period (1070-332 BC) Decline of Power: Dynasties 21-30 Dynastic feuds and the increased power of the Theban priests left Egypt unable to deal with the changing political situation in the Near-East. The prestige it had held during the New Kingdom was lost along with its possessions in Syria-Palestine and Nubia. Weakened and internally divided, Egypt lay open to attacks from Nubians, Assyrians, and Persians who would impose their rule with varying success.

Greek-Roman Period (332 BC-396 AD) The Great Temples – Macedoneans, Ptolemies, and Romans When it was conquered by the Macedonian Alexander the Great, Egypt became part of the Hellentistic world. Alexander’s successors, the Ptolemies, ruled Egypt as an independent country and again made it one of the most prestigious countries in the world. The coming of Christianity started the final decline of this ancient culture.

Credits The History of Ancient Egypt http://www.ancient-egypt.org/history/index.html