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Nile River

5000 BCE

Predictable flooding cycle.
Forms the backbone of Egypt.
Flooding brings in new rich soil.

Sailing Emerges

4500 BCE

Sails are first used on ships in Egypt. This allows for trade against the Nile current in some places and along the Mediterranean.

Early Dynastic Period

3100 BCE

Divine Monarchy is established and unites the civilization.
2 Dimensional artwork is established.
Most Egyptians were farmers.

Heiroglyphs Emerge As Common Writing

3100 BCE

Heiroglyphs were the common writing system to the Egyptians. It was commonly used to inscribe the walls of the monuments they built. It was also used in religious writings.

First Pyramid Built

2950 BCE

The Step Pyramid at Saqqara for King Djoser (3rd dynasty)

Discovery of Resources

2750 BCE

Egypt finds tin and copper and uses it to create tools. Copper is found in Sinai.

Old Kingdom

2686 BCE

Began with the third dynasty of pharaohs.
Step Pyramids were built.
Mass wealth begins to deplete with the building of massive pyramids.
Decline in centralized authority, drought from low levels of the Nile and a decline in rainfall, and economic troubles bring the first intermediate period.

Sphinx and 2nd biggest Pyramid of Giza built

2558 BCE

Sphinx was most likely linked to solar worship.
Pyramid of Khafre was built as a tomb for the 4th dynasty pharaoh Khafre.

1st Intermediate Period (Dark Period)

2181 BCE

Began after the long reign of Pepi II, who outlived his successors, which caused problems for the dynasty. Power struggles between provincial leaders (Nomarchs) arose. Lasted 125 years.

Middle Kingdom (Period of Reunification)

2055 BCE

The pharaoh had more responsibilities to his people. Seen as Shepherd to the People. Egypt expands during this period. Conquered lower Nubia and built fortresses to protect the new border. Campaigns (Palestine and Syria) marked the beginning of Egyptian imperialism.

Middle Kingdom Trade

1842 BCE

After a string of forts and agricultural projects are built in the Levant, trade becomes safer, and Egypt begins to trade internationally.

2nd Intermediate Period

1786 BCE

This intermediate period consisted of the fifteenth through the seventeenth dynasties. The Hyskos people emerge during the 15th dynasty to rule Egypt during this period. The final two kings of the seventeenth dynasty, Seqenenre Tao and Kamose fight off the last of the Hyskos.

New Kingdom

1550 BCE

Hyskos people dominate the Nile river delta. Teach Egyptians how to use bronze. New war weaponry emerges, and is used to drive off the Hyskos.

Royal Tombs and the Valley of the Kings is Built

1550 BCE

The new area marks the area where New Kingdom rulers were buried for the next 500 years.

Egypt Wages War with the Kingdom of Kush

1493 BCE

Egypt had forts stationed at the third cataract of the Nile to the south, just 30 miles from the Kush Capital. Thutmose I and III push Egyptian territory farther south deep into Kushite territory.

Ramses II Reigns

1279 BCE

During the reign of Ramses II, Egypt reaches the height of its power. He leads military expeditions into the Levant. He also focused on the construction of buildings and monuments. He founded the city of Pi-Ramses, and established it as the new capital.

Hittite Expansion

1259 BCE

Egypt is threatened by the expansion of the Hittites. Trade routes were threatened between Egypt and Mesopotamia and other civilizations. Ramses II leads his army to battle at the Hittite city of Kaddesh. The battle ends in a draw. Syria is divided between them.

Religious Civil War

1153 BCE

A civil war ending the confirmation of the Thebian preist-king breaks out. Egypt's supply of gold from Nubia is lost to a rebellious general.

Post Empire Egypt

664 BCE

Egypt is attacked by a series of outside invaders including Assyrians, Babylonians, Canaanites, Libyans, and Nubians. Much of its territory is taken by strong neighboring civilizations.

Alexander the Great Conquers Egypt

332 BCE

Ptolemy, Alexander the Great's general becomes king there and establishes his own dynasty. Greek culture floods the area.