{"id":14607,"date":"2022-05-05T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-04T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbchistoryrevealed\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=14607"},"modified":"2022-05-16T10:25:36","modified_gmt":"2022-05-16T08:25:36","slug":"key-dates-in-ancient-egypt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbchistoryrevealed\/2022\/05\/05\/key-dates-in-ancient-egypt\/","title":{"rendered":"Key dates in ancient Egypt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

KEY DATES IN ANCIENT EGYPT<\/span><\/h4>\n\n

The age of the pharaohs<\/span><\/h2>\n\n

We chart nearly 3,000 years of pharaonic rule \u2013 from the reigning dynasties, to key moments in ancient Egyptian history<\/p>\n\n

Words: Charlotte Hodgman<\/p>\n\n

EARLY DYNASTIC PERIOD<\/span> c3000\u20132686 BC<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
1st Dynasty: c3000\u20132890 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

\u2193 First pharaoh: Aha (c3000 BC\u2013unknown)
Last pharaoh: Qa\u2018a (unknown\u20132890 BC)<\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n
2nd Dynasty: 2890\u20132686 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

First pharaoh: Hetepsekhemwy (2890 BC\u2013unknown)
Last pharaoh: Khasekhemwy (unknown\u20132686 BC)<\/p>\n\n

KEY INFO<\/span><\/h5>\n\n

\u2192 The era directly following the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt in c3100 BC, the Early Dynastic Period sees a capital city established at Memphis.<\/p>\n\n


<\/p>\n\n

\n\n

OLD KINGDOM<\/span> 2686\u20132160 BC <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
3rd Dynasty: 2686\u20132613 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

First pharaoh: Nebka (2686\u20132667 BC)
Last pharaoh: Huni (2637\u20132613 BC)<\/p>\n\n

4th Dynasty: 2613\u20132494 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

First pharaoh: Sneferu (2613\u20132589 BC)
Last pharaoh: Shepseskaf (2503\u20132498 BC)<\/p>\n\n

5th Dynasty: 2494\u20132345 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

First pharaoh: Userkaf (2494\u20132487 BC)
Last pharaoh: Unas (2375\u20132345 BC)<\/p>\n\n

6th Dynasty: 2345\u20132181 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

First pharaoh: Teti (2345\u20132323 BC)
Last pharaoh: Nitiqret (2184\u20132181 BC)<\/p>\n\n

7th and 8th Dynasties: 2181\u20132160 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Several ephemeral kings ruled in the 7th Dynasty, most of whom took the name of Neferkara \u2013 probably in imitation of the throne name of Pepy II (6th Dynasty, 2278\u20132184 BC). The short-lived 8th Dynasty was equally unstable and saw the collapse of the Old Kingdom system of control.<\/p>\n\n

KEY INFO<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

The first true, flat-sided pyramids are built during the reign of Sneferu (founder of the 4th Dynasty), in place of the step pyramids commonly found in the 3rd Dynasty. Sneferu\u2019s son, Khufu (2589\u20132566 BC), builds the Great Pyramid of Giza, and the Great Sphinx follows, probably during the reign of Khafre (Khufu\u2019s son and successor, 2558\u20132532 BC), together with a second pyramid. The third pyramid at Giza is probably built during the reign of Khafre\u2019s successor, Menkaure (2532\u20132503 BC).
Egypt splits into several political units after the 94-year reign of Pepy II (6th Dynasty).<\/p>\n\n

\n\n

FIRST INTERMEDIATE PERIOD<\/span> 2160\u20132055 BC<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
9th and 10th Dynasties: 2160\u20132025 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

\u2193 First pharaoh: Khety (2160 BC\u2013unknown)
Last pharaoh: Merykara (unknown \u20132025 BC)  <\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n
11th Dynasty (Thebes only): 2125\u20132055 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

First pharaoh: Intef I (2125\u20132112 BC)
Last pharaoh: Intef III (2063\u20132055 BC)<\/p>\n\n

KEY INFO<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Centralised power weakens during this period, and Egypt is ruled by two competing dynasties.
One is based at Heracleopolis in the north, with the other based at Thebes in the south. <\/p>\n\n

\n\n

MIDDLE KINGDOM<\/span> 2055\u20131650 BC<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
11th Dynasty (all Egypt): 2055\u20131985 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

First pharaoh: Mentuhotep II (2055\u20132004 BC)
Last pharaoh: Mentuhotep IV (1992\u20131985 BC)<\/p>\n\n

12th Dynasty: 1985\u20131773 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

First pharaoh: Amenemhat I (1985\u20131956 BC)
Last pharaoh: Queen Sobekneferu (1777\u20131773 BC)<\/p>\n\n

13th Dynasty: 1773\u2013after 1650 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

First pharaoh: Wegaf (1773 BC\u2013unknown)
Last pharaoh: Ay (exact dates unknown)<\/p>\n\n

14th Dynasty: 1773\u20131650 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Believed to be minor rulers whose reigns were contemporary with the 13th or 15th Dynasties<\/p>\n\n

KEY INFO<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Upper and Lower Egypt are reunified under Mentuhotep II (pictured below<\/em>). Evidence indicates a shift in the pharaoh\u2019s role as political and spiritual leader during this period, as well as changes in the organisation of society, religious beliefs, and relations with neighbouring peoples. During the 12th Dynasty a new capital is established, at Idj Tawy.<\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n
\n\n

SECOND INTERMEDIATE PERIOD<\/span> 1650\u20131550 BC<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
15th Dynasty: 1650\u20131550 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

First pharaoh: Salitis\/Sekerher (1650 BC\u2013unknown)
Last pharaoh: Khamudi (exact dates unknown)<\/p>\n\n

16th Dynasty: 1650\u20131580 BC<\/strong> <\/h5>\n\n

Theban rulers contemporary with 15th Dynasty<\/p>\n\n

17th Dynasty: c1580\u20131550 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

First pharaoh: Rahotep (c1580 BC\u2013unknown)
Last pharaoh: Kamose (1555\u20131550 BC)<\/p>\n\n

KEY INFO<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Egypt is once again ruled by competing dynasties, with the north ruled by the Hyksos \u2013 descendants of people from western Asia who had settled in the eastern Nile Delta \u2013 who ally with rulers of Kerma in Nubia against the Egyptian 16th Dynasty, based in Thebes.<\/p>\n\n

\n\n

NEW KINGDOM<\/span> 1550\u20131069 BC<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n
\u2191 18th Dynasty: 1550\u20131295 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

First pharaoh: Ahmose I (1550\u20131525 BC)
Last pharaoh: Horemheb (1323\u20131295 BC)<\/p>\n\n

\n\n

RAMESSIDE PERIOD<\/span> 1295\u20131069 BC<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n
19th Dynasty: 1295\u20131186 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

First pharaoh: Ramesses I (1295\u20131294 BC)
Last pharaoh: Queen Tausret (1188\u20131186 BC)<\/p>\n\n

20th Dynasty: 1186\u20131069 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

First pharaoh: Sethnakht (1186\u20131184 BC)
Last pharaoh: Ramesses XI (1099\u20131069 BC)<\/p>\n\n

KEY INFO<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Ahmose I drives the Hyksos from the Delta and reunites Egypt, ushering in nearly 500 years of political and economic stability. The following Ramesside period is a high point in Egyptian history, with great building projects \u2013 particularly during the 1279\u20131213 BC rule of Ramesses II (pictured above<\/em>) and military conquests in Syria, Libya and Nubia.<\/p>\n\n

\n\n

THIRD INTERMEDIATE PERIOD<\/span> 1069\u2013664 BC<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
21st Dynasty: 1069\u2013945 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

First pharaoh: Smendes (1069\u20131043 BC)
Last pharaoh: Psusennes II (959\u2013945 BC)<\/p>\n\n

22nd Dynasty: 945\u2013715 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

First pharaoh: Sheshonq I (945\u2013924 BC)
Last pharaoh: Osorkon IV (unknown\u2013715 BC)<\/p>\n\n

23rd Dynasty: 818\u2013715 BC (contemporary with late 22nd, 24th and early 25th dynasties)<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Pharaohs include:
Pedubastis I
Takelot III
Iuput II<\/p>\n\n

24th Dynasty: 727\u2013715 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Known pharaoh: Bakenrenef (720\u2013715 BC)<\/p>\n\n

25th Dynasty: 747\u2013656 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

First pharaoh: Piy (747\u2013716 BC)
Last pharaoh: Tanutamani (664\u2013656 BC)<\/p>\n\n

 KEY INFO<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

\u2193 The death of Ramesses XI in 1069 BC sees Egypt descend into some 400 years of politically divided rule, with various centres of power and a loss of control over Nubia (Kush) in the south, which is ruled by an independent dynasty in the mid-eighth century BC. In the late eighth century BC, the Kushite ruler Piy (whose victory stele is pictured below<\/em>), invades Egypt and lays the foundations for the 25th Dynasty.<\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n
\n\n

LATE PERIOD<\/span>  664\u2013332 BC<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
26th Dynasty: 664\u2013525 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

First pharaoh: Psamtek I (664\u2013610 BC)
Last pharaoh: Psamtek III (526\u2013525 BC)<\/p>\n\n

27th Dynasty (1st Persian Period): 525\u2013404 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

First pharaoh: Cambyses (525\u2013522 BC)
Last pharaoh: Artaxerxes II (405\u2013359 BC)<\/p>\n\n

28th Dynasty: 404\u2013399 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Only pharaoh: Amyrtaios (404\u2013399 BC)<\/p>\n\n

29th Dynasty: 399\u2013380 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

First pharaoh: Nepherites I (399\u2013393 BC)
Last pharaoh: Nepherites II (c380 BC)<\/p>\n\n

30th Dynasty: 380\u2013343 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

First pharaoh: Nectanebo I (380\u2013362 BC)
Last pharaoh: Nectanebo II (360\u2013343 BC)<\/p>\n\n

2nd Persian Period: 343\u2013332 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

First pharaoh: Artaxerxes III Ochus (343\u2013338 BC)
Last pharaoh: Darius III Codoman (336\u2013332 BC)<\/p>\n\n

KEY INFO<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

Egypt sees considerable turmoil with foreign powers threatening throughout the period.
In 525 BC, the Achaemenid Persian empire invades for the first time but will be ousted by
Alexander the Great in 332 BC.<\/p>\n\n

\n\n

PTOLEMAIC PERIOD<\/span>  332\u201330 BC<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
Macedonian Dynasty: 332\u2013305 BC<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

First pharaoh: Alexander the Great (332\u2013323 BC)
Last pharaoh: Alexander IV (317\u2013310 BC, nominal ruler 310\u2013305 BC)<\/p>\n\n

Ptolemaic Dynasty: 305 BC\u201330 AD<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

First pharaoh: Ptolemy I Soter (305\u2013285 BC)
Last pharaoh: Ptolemy XV Caesarion (44\u201330 BC)<\/p>\n\n

KEY INFO<\/span><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n

\u2193 After Alexander the Great\u2019s death, rule passes to one of his generals, Ptolemy. Antony and Cleopatra\u2019s defeat at Actium by Octavian (future Roman Emperor Augustus) in 31 BC is followed by the murder of Egypt\u2019s last pharaoh, Cleopatra\u2019s son Caesarion (pictured with his mother, below<\/em>), the following year.<\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n

*The dates used in this feature are derived from The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt, edited by Ian Shaw (OUP, 2000). Please note that dates will vary between different sources.<\/em><\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

PICTURE CREDITS: GETTY IMAGES X6, ALAMY X4<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Discover more than 3,000 years of kingly rule with our handy overview of key dates and dynasties<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":14928,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ub_ctt_via":"","purple_page_number":"30","purple_custom_meta_purple_page_number":"30","purple_seq_number":"1","purple_custom_meta_purple_seq_number":"1","purple_source_article":"article_30-1.xml","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_article":"article_30-1.xml","purple_source_issue":"June-2022","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_issue":"June-2022","purple_external_id":"June-2022-30-1","purple_custom_meta_purple_external_id":"June-2022-30-1","purple_issue_code":"|0000090397||","purple_custom_meta_purple_issue_code":"|0000090397||","purple_android_product":"com.im.historyrevealed.108","purple_custom_meta_purple_android_product":"com.im.historyrevealed.108","purple_ios_product":"com.im.historyrevealed.108","purple_custom_meta_purple_ios_product":"com.im.historyrevealed.108","purple_web_product":"","purple_custom_meta_purple_web_product":"","purple_publication_id":"a2288b80-d22c-492c-8b11-acb0804789ee","purple_migrated":"","kt_blocks_editor_width":"","apple_news_api_created_at":"2022-05-13T13:39:03Z","apple_news_article-theme":"","apple_news_api_id":"a0adc8bb-4eec-4222-81a3-81fc0ccdddfc","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2022-05-16T08:25:45Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/AoK3Iu07sQiKBo4H8DM3d_A","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":true,"apple_news_is_preview":true,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_article_theme":"","apple_news_sections":"[]"},"categories":[87],"tags":[55],"apple_news_notices":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2022\/05\/GettyImages_152201883-e1651852350517.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbchistoryrevealed\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"6","apple_news_title":""},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2022\/05\/GettyImages_152201883-e1651852350517.jpg",1925,1445,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2022\/05\/GettyImages_152201883-e1651852350517-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2022\/05\/GettyImages_152201883-e1651852350517-300x225.jpg",300,225,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2022\/05\/GettyImages_152201883-e1651852350517-768x576.jpg",768,576,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2022\/05\/GettyImages_152201883-e1651852350517-1024x769.jpg",800,601,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2022\/05\/GettyImages_152201883-e1651852350517-1536x1153.jpg",1536,1153,true],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/41\/2022\/05\/GettyImages_152201883-e1651852350517.jpg",1925,1445,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbchistoryrevealed\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Discover 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