Ancient Egypt Timeline

By sienna22s2
  • Period: 3500 BCE to 2686 BCE

    Early-dynastic period

    1st-3rd dynasties
    There was intensive contact with Palestine in this period
  • 3200 BCE

    Earliest known hieroglyphic writing

  • 3150 BCE

    Foundation of the Egyptian state

  • 3100 BCE

    Narmer unifies Upper and Lower Egypt

  • 2925 BCE

    Creation of the capital of Memphis

  • 2700 BCE

    The first pyramid is built - the Step Pyramid at Saqqara

    built in the 27th century BCE (2700-2601 BCE)
  • Period: 2686 BCE to 2125 BCE

    Old Kingdom

    4th-8th dynasties
  • Period: 2667 BCE to 2648 BCE

    Djoser's reign

    2nd ruler of the 3rd dynsaty
  • 2613 BCE

    Great Pyramids are built at Dahshur and Giza

    Built during the reign of the Pharaoh Sneferu (4th dynasty) between 2613-2589 BCE
  • Period: 2613 BCE to 2589 BCE

    Snefru's reign

    1st ruler of the 4th dynasty
  • Period: 2589 BCE to 2566 BCE

    Khufu's reign

    2nd ruler of the 4th dynasty
  • Period: 2558 BCE to 2532 BCE

    Khafre's reign

    4th ruler of the 4th dynasty
  • Period: 2532 BCE to 2503 BCE

    Menkaure's reign

    5th ruler of the 4th dynasty
  • Period: 2278 BCE to 2184 BCE

    Pepi II's reign

    5th ruler of the 6th dynasty
  • 2200 BCE

    Split in rulers

    In c. 2200 BCE government collapsed and many people fought to rule Egypt, which resulted in Upper and Lower Egypt having different rulers for about 150 years after
  • Period: 2160 BCE to 2055 BCE

    First intermediate period

    9th-11th dynasties
    Egypt splits into two smaller states, ruled
    from Memphis in the north and Thebes in the
    south
  • Period: 2135 BCE to 2125 BCE

    Mentuhotep I's reign

    1st king of the 11th dynasty, which was only Thebian
    uncertain with dates
  • 2055 BCE

    Mentuhotep II reunites Egypt

  • 2055 BCE

    Early parts of the Temple of Karnak built

  • Period: 2055 BCE to 1650 BCE

    Middle Kingdom

    11th-14th dynasties
    There was a classical period of art and literature in the Middle Kingdom
    Agricultural development of the Faiyum
  • Period: 2055 BCE to 2004 BCE

    Mentuhotep II's reign

    1st ruler of the all-Egyptian 11th dynasty
  • 1991 BCE

    Amenemhat I founds a new royal residence near Memphis

  • Period: 1985 BCE to 1773 BCE

    12th Dynasty

  • Period: 1985 BCE to 1956 BCE

    Amenemhat I's reign

    1st ruler of the 12th dynasty
  • Period: 1956 BCE to 1911 BCE

    Senwosret I's (Senusret) reign

    2nd ruler of the 12th dynasty
  • 1700 BCE

    Egypt conquers Lower Nubia

    Under the rules of Senwosret I (1971 BCE to 1926 BCE) and Senwosret III (1878 BCE to 1839 BCE), over 2000 BCE to 1700 BCE. Nubia had valuable natural resources such as gold and semi-precious stone, and the Egyptians wanted to seize control for access to these.
  • Period: 1650 BCE to 1550 BCE

    Second intermediate period

    15th-17th dynasties
  • 1581 BCE

    Hyksos kings seize power in the north

    1581-1541 BCE
  • Period: 1580 BCE to 1550 BCE

    17th Dynasty

    Theban 17th dynasty in the south
  • 1550 BCE

    Ahmose united Egypt

    Ahmose threw the Hyksos out of Egypt and became pharaoh of Upper and Lower Egypt.