Ancient Egypt

Menes Builds Dam Around Memphis

3000 BCE

Just Before 3000B.C. the Pharaoh Menes built a massive dam around the city of Memphis to protect it from the rising waters of the Nile River.

Djoser Builds The First Step Pyramid

2662 BCE

Djoser became Pharaoh around 2662 B.C. and set to build the grandest tomb any Pharaoh had ever had up to that point. It took over 10,000 men twenty years to build his step pyramid.

Snefru Builds The First True Pyramid.

2547 BCE

Pharaoh Snefru built multiple pyramids trying to get the perfect tomb for himself. In his attempts he built the Famous Bent Pyramid, the sides angle suddenly changes half way up the pyramid giving it a bent look. He eventually made the Red Pyramid with smooth sides, large rooms, and vaulted ceilings. He ruled from 2597-2547 B.C.

Sesostris The Third Begins Military Architecture.

1840 BCE

Sesostris was a very military focused Pharaoh. He built a large fort at Buhen with multiple walls and a moat. Unfortunately the fort is now underwater in Lake Nasser.

Queen Hatshepsut Builds Temple Into Cliff

1458 BCE

Hatshepsut was the first female Pharaoh, filling in until the true Pharaoh came of age. In order to keep her power she had to dress and act like a man. She built a very unique temple built into the side of a cliff. The obelisks were carved in the ground then transported by boat to the temple to be erected.

Thutmose the Third Destroys Hatshepsut's Monuments

1425 BCE

Thutmose III came of age and took the title of Pharaoh from Hatshepsut. He destroyed statues of her and tried to eliminate her from history. In doing this he destroyed much architecture built by her.

Amenhotep IV Builds Akhetaten

1332 BCE

Amenhotep IV moved the capital of Egypt to the place where he believed creation began. He built an entire new city in which everything revolved around his home. He built it with 20,000 people in 2 years. He rush the workers causing them to create talatas which eventually lead to modern day bricks.

Seti I Builds The Hyposal Hall

1279 BCE

Seti I tried to make a large open room but the Egyptians had not figured out how to at that time so they tried using a lot of columns to support the ceiling but it did not work so they had to abandon the building. The columns they Used were so thick it took ten grown men linking arms to surround one.

Seti I Builds Most Decorated Tomb In The Valley Of The Kings

1279 BCE

Pharaohs constantly strived to have the biggest, best most awe inspiring tombs. Seti I built his tomb in The Valley Of The Kings and it is the most decorated tob there. The multi-chambered tomb still has brightly colored paintings and carvings.

Ramesses II Builds Abu Simbel

1212 BCE

Ramesses the second built many monuments to his ego, Abu Simbel was no exception. Ramesses II built it as a monument of his victory against the Hittite Empire.