Kenneth W. Harl, Ph.D.
History/Classics 100


Chronology of Early Egypt (c. 5000-1570 B.C.)

The chronology for the Archaic Egypt and the Old Kingdom is approximate; this table reckons the unification of Egypt in c. 3100 rather than in 3200 B.C. There is a margin of error of 100 years for dates prior to c. 2500 B.C. and of 75 years for dates of c. 2500-2000 B.C. The chronology of the Middle Kingdom is secure with a margin of error less than ten years.

PREHISTORIC PERIOD
5000 B.C. Neolithic Farming around Fayum in Upper Egypt
4500-3700 B.C. Badarian Culture
3700-3400 B.C. Amratian Culture: farming in Delta & Nile valley proper
3400-3100 B.C. Gerzean Culture: seeds of classic Egyptian civilization

ARCHAIC PERIOD (c. 3100-2700 B.C.)
DYNASTY I
NARMER (Menes) Unification of Egypt, c. 3100 B.C. Founding of MEMPHIS
Hor=aha
DYNASTY II

OLD KINGDOM (c. 2700-2200 B.C.)
DYNASTY III (2700-2630 B.C.)
ZOSER Step Pyramid at Saqqara, c. 2680 B.C.
DYNASTY IV (2630-2511 B.C.)
Snefru Pyramids at Dahshur, c. 2625 B.C.
KHUFU (Cheops) Great Pyramid at Gizeh, c. 2600 B.C.
KHAFRE (Cephren) Second Pyramid at Gizeh, c. 2575 B.C.
Menkaure (Mycerinus) Third Pyramid at Gizeh, c. 2540 B.C.
DYNASTY V (2511-2345 B.C.) Rise of Cult of Ra
DYNASTY VI (2345-2181 B.C.)
Pepi I
PEPI II (2275-2185 B.C.) Construction of Last Pyramids

FIRST INTERMEDIATE PERIOD (c. 2200-2060 B.C.)
DYNASTIES VII-X Political Anarchy Rise of Cult of Osiris Lament Literature calling for ma`at

MIDDLE KINGDOM (c. 2050-1790 B.C.)
DYNASTY XI (2135-1991 B.C.)
Mentuhotep II (2060-2010 B.C.) Theban Prince reunifies Egypt
DYNASTY XII (1991-1785 B.C.)
Amenemhet (Ammenemes) I (1991-1962)
Senwosret (Sesostris) I (1971-1928)
Amenemhet II (1929-1895)
Senwosret II (1897-1878)
SENWORSET III (1878-1843) Conquest of Nubia
Amenemhet III (1842-1799)
Amenemhet IV (1799-1790)
Sobkkare (1789-1786) Hyksos Invasion

SECOND INTERMEDIATE PERIOD (1785-1570 B.C.)
DYNASTIES XII-XVI Hyksos Dynasts rule from AVARIS in Delta
DYNASTY XVII Native Princes of Thebes independent since c. 1657 B.C.

THE HELIOPOLITE ENNEAD, c. 2500 B.C.

ATON-RA
Creator Sun God arising from
Nun, goddess of primeval sea

SHU (air) = TEFNUT (Moisture)

GEB (earth god) = NUT (Sky goddess)

OSIRIS = ISIS HORUS THE ELDER SET = NEPHTHYS

HORUS THE FALCON


Dr. Kenneth W. Harl
(Ph.D., Yale University 1978; prof.)
Classical Greece, Rome and Byzantium
Office: History 211 (504)862-8621
Fax: (504) 862-8739
Home: (504)866-5392


Last Updated 09/18/1999
Please report any problems to Richard DH Clark
Copyright 1999