Anceint Egypt Basic

Start of Egyptian language

3000 BCE

The Egyptian language in a now extinct language and there were five periods of the Egyptian language. However, the written language differed greatly from the spoken

Old Egyptian Language (3000 - 2200 BCE)

3000 BCE

Oldest phase of language in history. The language first officially appeared in 3400 BCE. Early writings were just short texts and names. Evidence from these short texts shows that it is possible that the Egyptian language began in 2600 BCE. Famous text of this period was inscribed into pyramids. This period of language extended to c. 2100 BCE.

MerNeith (2970 BC - 1st dynsaty)

2970 BCE

Meredith was a queen consort and regent in the 1st dynasty but may have also been a ruler in her own right for a small period of time. Her tomb resembles those of Egyptian kings from that time and reflects many of the honours given to them, such as a large underground chamber. Additionally, her name was included in a list of early pharaohs found on a seal in her son's tomb, but beside her name was the title; ‘King’s Mother.’ She would have been the first female pharaoh in recorded history.

Egyptian Inventians - The pyramids (2630 BCE)

2630 BCE

Amongst the earliest of the Egyptian Pyramids have been dated back to 2630 BCE built during the time of the Third Dynasty.

False Pyramid (c. 2613 - 2589)

2613 BCE

The false pyramid was one of the earliest attempts of a pyramid. The pyramid did not work well as the slope of the pyramid was too steep. It was built for the first king of the 4th dynasty, Sneferu

Middle Egyptian (2200 - 1600 BCE)

2200 BCE

This period came straight after the old Egyptian. It continued for around 500 years as spoken and written. It was considered the main phase of language. It was the face where language reached its peak of development. Considered as a classical stage. Contained the most impressive and magnificent works or writing.

Sobekneferu (1806 - 12th dynsasty)

1806 BCE

Sobekneferu was the last ruler of the 12th dynasty following the death of her brother Amenemhat IV. More than five other women are speculated to have ruled Egypt as pharaohs prior to Sobekneferu, but she is the first one confirmed by evidence.

Late Egyptian (1550 - 700 BCE)

1550 BCE

Began to replace the middle phase for speaking and writing. It appeared in writings before 1600 BCE but not full until 1300 BCE and remained until around 600 BCE. It started appearing in trade documents and letters from the Ramesside Period. This showed the presence of foreign vocab. It is very evident that the language developed, especially in grammar from the early phases of Egyptian language.

Hatshepsut (c. 1478-1458 B.C. – 18th dynasty)

1478 BCE

She is the second historically confirmed female pharaoh, becoming queen in the 18th dynasty after marrying her half-brother and then becoming regent to his son when he died. Quickly into her regency, she assumed the title and full powers of pharaoh. As a symbol of her power, she ordered all official representations of her to include the traditional regalia and symbols of the pharaoh, but statues of her today use elements of traditional female representations.

Neferneferuaten Nefertiti (c. 1353-1336 B.C. – 18th dynasty)

1353 BCE

Akhenatan, her husband, and Nerfertit started monotheistic religion in the 18th dynasty and prayed to one god, the sun disk called Aten. Under their rule, Ancient Egypt was at the height of its wealth and prosperity. In certain artwork, there are scenes of Nefertiti in roles usually reserved for the pharaoh, such as hitting enemies. Some scholars believe she ruled Egypt briefly as pharaoh under the name Neferneferuaten after the death of her husband and before the ascension of Tutankhamun.

Luxor Temple (1330 BC)

1330 BCE

The Luxor temple was the most significant religious center in ancient Egypt. It was constructed by Amenhotep III, Ramses II, Tutankhamen and many other pharaohs over hundreds of years. It was very elaborately decorated as it was a temple for worshiping the gods. It was decorated mostly by Tutankhamun around 1330 B.C. Many of the temple’s sidewalls were torn down after the time of the pharaohs and recycled for building materials.

Twosret (c. 1191-1189 B.C. – 19th dynasty)

1191 BCE

Twosret is the last known pharaoh of 19th dynasty. At first, she was the second wife of Seti II and regent to his heir Siptah, but when her husband died she assumed control of the throne and officially declared herself pharaoh. It is not known whether her reign ended in civil war or the conflict began as a result of her death.

Demotic (700 BCE - 400 CE)

700 BCE

It developed from the late Egyptian phase and remained in use until around 400 CE.

Cleopatra Vll (c. 51-30 B.C. – Ptolemaic Queen of Egypt)

51 BCE

She ruled ancient Egypt as co-regent (first with her two younger brothers and then with her son) for almost three decades and was the last active pharaoh in Ptolemaic Egypt. She became pharaoh when she was 17 years old after her father died, serving as co-regent with her brother. In 48 B.C., her brother exiled her, and she fled to Syria where she assembled an army, got the backing of Julius Caesar, and with Rome’s military help, she regained her control of Egypt.

Coptic (200 - 1600 CE)

200

Coptic language is still used in the Arabic speaking Christians in Egypt. It was the last phase of the Egyptian language and it remained a spoken language for the ancient Egyptians for more than 1000 years.