Unit 1 Timeline

Unification of Upper and Lower Egypt

3150 BCE

The Upper Egyptian leader Menes, also known as Narmer, led his military forces to defeat Lower Egypt which led to their combination. This created the first empire in the region, allowing the Egyptian way of life to spread to neighboring countries and colonies throughout the Mediterranean and Mesopotamia. It is believed to have taken place primarily around the area of Memphis.

Development of Hieroglyphic Writing

3100 BCE

The Egyptians developed hieroglyphic writing, a system of pictorial symbols used for communication and record-keeping. This innovation was pivotal for recording religious texts, administrative records, and monumental inscriptions, solidifying Egypt’s cultural and historical legacy. The earliest examples of hieroglyphs were discovered on the Narmer Palette, found in Abydos.

Introduction of Papyrus

3000 BCE

The invention of papyrus as a writing material revolutionized record-keeping and communication. Made from the papyrus plant, it was lighter and more portable than stone or clay tablets, becoming essential for administrative, religious, and literary texts. The development originated in Lower Egypt, particularly near the Nile Delta.

Construction of the Step Pyramid of Djoser

2667 BCE

Pharaoh Djoser commissioned the Step Pyramid, designed by his architect Imhotep, at Saqqara. This was the first monumental stone building in Egypt, transitioning from traditional mastaba tombs to pyramid construction. The construction took place at Saqqara, near Memphis from 2667 B.C.E. to 2648 B.C.E.

Creation of the Great Pyramid of Giza

2551 BCE

It served as the tomb of the pharaoh Khufu during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. Creation started in 2551 B.C.E. and ended in 2528 B.C.E. It is a testament to the sophistication of ancient Egyptian society and their engineering skills early on. It is located in Giza, Egypt.

Adoption of the Solar Calendar

2400 BCE

The Egyptians developed a solar calendar of 365 days, dividing the year into 12 months of 30 days with an additional 5-day festival period. This calendar was crucial for agriculture, especially in predicting the annual Nile flooding. This development originated in temple complexes, including Heliopolis, the center of sun worship.

The First Intermediate Period Begins

2181 BCE

The central authority collapsed after the Old Kingdom, leading to political fragmentation and local rulers (nomarchs) vying for power. This period marked a decline in central governance but also saw regional cultural and economic development. It affected areas throughout Egypt, particularly in provincial regions like Herakleopolis and Thebes.

Reunification Under Mentuhotep

2055 BCE

Mentuhotep II of Thebes defeated the Herakleopolitan kings, reuniting Egypt and starting the Middle Kingdom. This era saw the revitalization of arts, trade, and centralized governance. The event was centered in Thebes and had implications across Egypt.

Discovery of the Rosetta Stone

1799 BCE

Napoleonic soldiers discovered the Rosetta Stone, a granodiorite stele inscribed with the same text in hieroglyphic, Demotic, and Greek scripts. It became the key to deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, unlocking centuries of history. The stone was found near the town of Rosetta (Rashid) in the Nile Delta.

The Hyksos Invasion

1720 BCE

The Hyksos invaded and ruled parts of Egypt during the Second Intermediate Period. This included mostly lower Egypt and the Nile Valley as far as Cusae. Their rule from 1720-1710 B.C.E. marked a time of foreign domination, but they were eventually expelled by the native Egyptian rulers, leading to the beginning of the New Kingdom.

Eruption of the Santorini Volcano

1600 BCE

The massive eruption of the Santorini volcano in the Aegean Sea caused widespread environmental effects, including potential tsunamis that disrupted Egyptian coastal settlements. It influenced trade and possibly inspired myths such as the biblical plagues. Evidence of the event’s impact has been found in Nile Delta sediment layers.

Hatshepsut’s Rule

1479 BCE

Hatshepsut, one of Egypt’s few female pharaohs, ruled as a powerful leader and commissioned monumental projects such as her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri. Her reign was marked by economic prosperity, extensive trade expeditions, and architectural achievements from 1479 B.C.E. to 1458 B.C.E. These achievements were concentrated in Thebes and extended to trade expeditions to Punt (modern Somalia or Eritrea).

Thutmose III’s Expansion Campaigns

1479 BCE

Thutmose III, often called the "Napoleon of Egypt," conducted numerous military campaigns, expanding Egypt's empire into Canaan, Syria, and Nubia between 1479 B.C.E. and 1425 B.C.E. His conquests established Egypt as a dominant imperial power during the New Kingdom. Key locations of his campaigns included Megiddo, Kadesh, and Nubia.

Amenhotep IV’s Religious Reforms

1353 BCE

Amenhotep IV, later Akhenaten, introduced monotheistic worship of Aten, the sun disk, moving away from traditional polytheism. These reforms disrupted traditional religious practices and centralized power under the pharaoh. The reforms were centered in Akhetaten (modern Amarna), the city he built for Aten worship. These Religious Reforms took place between 1353 B.C.E. and 1336 B.C.E.

Reign of Tutankhamun

1332 BCE

Tutankhamun restored traditional polytheistic worship after Akhenaten's monotheistic reforms between 1332 B.C.E. and 1323 B.C.E. The discovery of his tomb in 1922 provided unprecedented insights into Egyptian burial practices and the wealth of the New Kingdom. His tomb is located in the Valley of the Kings, near Thebes.

Ramses II and the Battle of Kadesh

1274 BCE

Ramses II fought the Hittites at Kadesh, resulting in one of the earliest recorded peace treaties. This event demonstrated Egypt's military might and established Ramses II's legacy as a powerful ruler. The battle took place at Kadesh, in modern-day Syria.

Construction of Abu Simbel

1264 BCE

Ramses II commissioned the twin temples of Abu Simbel to commemorate his reign and assert dominance over Nubia between the years 1264 B.C.E. and 1244 B.C.E. These temples reflect Egypt’s architectural prowess and its imperial reach into Nubia. The temples were constructed in southern Egypt, near the modern border with Sudan.

Sea Peoples Invasions

1175 BCE

Egypt repelled attacks from the Sea Peoples during Ramses III’s reign. These invasions marked the beginning of the Late Bronze Age collapse and strained Egypt’s resources. The battles occurred in the Nile Delta region.

The First Recorded Labor Strike

1159 BCE

Workers at Deir el-Medina, who built royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings, protested delayed wages by organizing a strike. This is the earliest recorded example of organized labor action in history. The event highlights the rights and agency of workers in ancient Egyptian society and took place near Thebes.

Third Intermediate Period Begins

1069 BCE

Egypt fragmented into smaller kingdoms after the New Kingdom, with the priesthood of Amun holding significant power. This period saw a decline in centralized authority and external invasions. Key centers during this time included Thebes and Tanis.