Dynasties of Egypt

In Ancient Egyptian history, dynasties are series of rulers sharing a common origin who are usually of the same family.

The dynasties are devided into three important periods: The Old Kingdom, The Middle Kingsom and The New Kingdom. Every kingdom ended with an intermediate period: First Intermediate Period, Second Intermediate Period and Third Intermediate Period.

The years below are given as realistically as possible.

Predynastic Period 5500 BC – 3100 BC
Early Dynastic Period 3100 BC – 2686 BC

The King resides in Memphis with Abydos as the most important necropol.

- 1st Dynasty 2950 – 2755
  - Ka
  - Narmer
  - Aha
- 2nd Dynasty 2755 – 2634
  - Khasekhemui
Old Kingdom 2634 BC – 2125 BC
- 3rd Dynasty 2634 – 2558
  - Djoser/Zozer/Netjerikhet
    - Build the first pyramid, the Stepped Pyramid in Saqqara
- 4th Dynasty 2558 – 2449
  - Snofru
  - Cheops/Khufu
  - Djedefre
  - Chepren/Khafre
    - Son of Cheops and build the Sphinx
  - Mykerinos/Menkaure
  - Shepseskaf
- 5th Dynasty 2449 – 2310
  - Userkaf
  - Sahure
  - Neferirkare
  - Unas
- 6th Dynasty 2310 – 2125
  - Pepi I
  - Merenre
  - Pepi II
First Intermediate Period 2181 BC – 2055 BC
- 7th Dynasty 2125 –
- 8th Dynasty – 2085
- 9th Dynasty 2085 –
- 10th Dynasty – 2004
  - Khety
  - Merikare
Middle Kingdom 2004 BC – 1802 BC
- 11th Dynasty 2117 – 1974
  - Antef II
  - Mentuhotep I
    - Moves the capitol to Thebes
- 12th Dynasty 1974 – 1797
  - Amenemhet I
    - Iti-tawny becomes new capitol for a short period
    - Karnak is created, Abydos remains the most important pilgrimagecenter
  - Senwosret I
  - Amenemhet II
  - Senwosret II
  - Senwosret III
  - Amenemhet III
  - Amenemhet IV
  - Nofrusobk
Second Intermediate Period 1800 BC – 1550 BC
- 13th Dynasty 1797 – 1307
- 14th Dynasty 1800 – 1649
- 15th Dynasty 1649 – 1540
  - Hyksos-king Khyan
  - Hyksos-king Apophis
    - Capitol is now Avaris, located in the Delta
    - New technology in weapons, buildings, art and handcraft. Horses wagons an
- 16th Dynasty 1648 –
- 17th Dynasty – 1549
  - Seqenenre
  - Kamose
New Kingdom 1550 BC – 1070 BC
- 18th Dynasty 1550 – 1307
  - Ahmose
  - Amenhotep/Amenophis I
  - Tutmosis I
  - Tutmosis II
  - Hatshepsut
  - Tutmosis III
  - Amenhotep/Amenophis II
  - Tutmosis IV
  - Amenhotep/Amenophis III
  - Akhenaton/Amenhotep/Amenophis IV
  - Smenkhkare
  - Tutankamon
  - Eje
  - Horemheb
- 19th Dynasty 1307 – 1196
  - Seti/Sethos I
  - Seti/Sethos II
  - Ramses II
  - Merenptah
- 20th Dynasty 1196 – 1070
  - Ramses III
Third Intermediate Period 1070 – 712
- 21st Dynasty 1070 – 945
  - Psusennes I
  - Herihor
- 22nd Dynasty 945 – 712
  - Libyan King Sheshonk I
  - Libyan King Osorkon III
- 23rd Dynasty 825 – 712
- 24th Dynasty 724 – 712
Saite Period 712 BC – 332 BC
- 25th Dynasty 760 – 664
  - Pije
  - Shabaka
  - Taharka
- 26th Dynasty 672 – 525
  - Psammetik I
  - Necho II
  - Amasis
  - Psammetik III
- 27th Dynasty 525 – 404
  - First Persian Period
  - Kambyses
  - Dareios I
  - Xerxes I
  - Artaxerxes I
  - Dareios II
- 28th Dynasty 404 – 399
- 29th Dynasty 399 – 380
  - Hakoris
- 30th Dynasty 380 – 343
  - Nektanebos II
  - Second Persian Period 343 – 332
  - Artaxerxes III
  - Dareios III
Greek-Roman Period 332 BC – 395 AC
- Macedonian Dynasty 332 – 304
  - Alexander the Great
- Ptolomaic Times 304 – 30
  - Ptolomaeus I
  - Ptolomaeus II
  - Ptolomaeus III
  - Ptolomaeus IV
  - Ptolomaeus V
  - Ptolomaeus VI
  - Ptolomaeus VII
  - Ptolomaeus VIII
  - Ptolomaeus IX
  - Ptolomaeus X
  - Ptolomaeus XI
  - Ptolomaeus XII
  - Ptolomaeus XIII
  - Ptolomaeus XIV
  - Ptolomaeus XV
  - Berenike IV
  - Cleopatra VII
- Roman Times 30 BC – 395 AC

Red Pyramid, Dashur, Necropolis, Egypt – July 19, 2022: The Red Pyramid, also called the North Pyramid, is the largest of the pyramids located at the Dahshur necropolis in Cairo, Egypt. It was the third pyramid built by Old Kingdom Pharaoh Sneferu, and was built 2575–2551 BCE. Named for the rusty reddish hue of its red limestone stones, it is also the third largest Egyptian pyramid, after those of Khufu and Khafre at Giza. It is also believed to be Egypt’s first successful attempt at constructing a “true” smooth-sided pyramid. Local residents refer to the Red Pyramid as el-heram el-watwaat, meaning the Bat Pyramid. The Red Pyramid was not always red. It used to be cased with white Tura limestone, but only a few of these stones now remain at the pyramid’s base, at the corner. During the Middle Ages much of the white Tura limestone was taken for buildings in Cairo, revealing the red limestone beneath.

The Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa in Alexandria, Egypt, are an intricate network of ancient underground burial chambers dating back to the 2nd century AD. Reflecting a blend of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman influences, these catacombs hold historical significance as a testament to the multicultural nature of the city during antiquity. The catacombs feature elaborately decorated tombs, sculptural reliefs, and a fusion of architectural styles. With their unique design and cross-cultural elements, the Catacombs of Kom el Shoqafa offer a captivating glimpse into Alexandria’s rich history and the diverse traditions that once converged in this cosmopolitan center.