History of Ancient Egypt

Age of the Pyramids

2575 BCE

This is the beginning of the Old Kingdom bka. the 'Age of the Pyramids' in ancient Egypt. the first Pyramids' were built this year.

The Sphinx

2565 BCE

After Khufu's death, he was succeeded by a family member outside the legitimate line named Djedefre (2566-2558 BCE). The most important aspect of Djedefre's reign, however, is not his pyramid or the claim that he built the Sphinx but his association of the position of king with the cult of the sun god Ra. He was the first king of Egypt to apply the title "Son of Ra" to himself marking the kingship as subordinate to the sun god.

The quick rise and fall of a new king

2532 BCE

Following Khafre's death, succession was again interrupted briefly when Baka, son of Djedefre, took the throne. He did not even reign a year, however, before Menkaure (2532-2503 BCE), Khafre's son, became king. Menkaure (known as Mykerinos by the Greeks) is viewed favorably by both the Greeks and the Egyptian texts. Like his father and grandfather before him, Menkaure began building his pyramid and temple complex at Giza.