Timeline
3100-2686 BCE - Early Dynastic Period, Dynasties 1-2
The First and Second Dynasties are commonly regarded to be included, as they lasted from
the end of the Naqada III archaeological period to roughly 2686 BC, or the commencement
of the Old Kingdom. During the First Dynasty, the capital was moved from Thinis to
Memphis, and Egypt was divided under the rule of an Egyptian god-king. This period was
significant because it influenced movements such as the construction of Giza's Step
Pyramid (first pyramid) for King Djoser, the creation of three-dimensional art conventions,
the use of special royal iconography to express kingship beliefs, the use of scale of figures in
art to represent rank, and the use of seated figures in art.
2686-2181 BCE - Old Kingdom, Dynasties 3-6
The Old Kingdom (2686 BC–2181 BC) was a period of political stability and economic
success in Egypt, during which they combined the upper and lower parts of the country and
created massive monuments in the form of pyramids for Egyptian kings. Ancient Egyptians
used mastabas to mark the graves of their forefathers. The creation of more pyramids, The
Great Sphinx and Great Pyramids of Giza, the introduction of decoration inside pyramids,
mortuary chapels were expanded during the 5th and 6th Dynasties to allow for the
decoration of the walls, and religious king statues on pyramid temples were all influenced by
and caused by this period.
2181-2125 BCE - First Intermediate Period
Egypt's control was almost evenly divided between two conflicting power bases during the
First Intermediate Period, with one of the bases in Heracleopolis, a city just south of the
Faiyum region in Lower Egypt. This was the beginning of Egypt's Middle Kingdom. It is
significant because it sparked movements such as the development of religious art styles
and the division of Egypt into two smaller nations, ruled by Memphis in the north and Thebes
in the south, resulting in a civil war that lasted 150 years.
2125-1650 BCE- Middle Kingdom, Dynasties 11-13
The Middle Kingdom was a time of unification in Ancient Egyptian history between the end of
the Eleventh Dynasty and the beginning of the Thirteenth Dynasty, roughly between 2125
and 1650 BCE. Senusret III, a Twelfth Dynasty warrior-king, consolidated Egyptian
sovereignty through a series of military successes. The time created movements such as
Egypt's reunification owing to Mentuhotep III, Senusret I erecting the first obelisks at
Heliopolis, and others. The god Amun-Ra rises to prominence and becomes a cult centre in
Thebes; there are developments in art; the King is now emphasised as the offspring of a
celestial pair; bronze smelting and casting technique progresses; sculptures proliferate;
1650-1550 BCE - Second Intermediate Period
Between 1650 and 1550 BCE, the country of Egypt was conquered by Hykos, a near
eastern tyrant who grabbed the north, though they were restored in the 11th era. The reason
for its importance to Egypt is the creation of movements such as Egyptian art deteriorating
and becoming increasingly vulgar, though there was a return to traditional Memphis models
in the Early Dynastic Period, with small heads, narrow shoulders and waists, delicate limbs,
and no visible musculature.
1550-1069 BCE - New Kingdom, Dynasties 18-20
Between 1550 and 1069 BCE, the ‘New Kingdom' reigned, with infamous kings such as
Hatshepsut, Egypt's first female queen, in 1470 BCE, Tutakhamen in 1334 BCE, Ramses II
in 1290 BCE, and Akhenaten seeking to impose monotheism. The creation of movements
such as elaborate buried tombs being built, and a middle class of self-employed artisans and
craftspeople emerging, sandstone, basalt, and granite are now common building materials, a
new sculpture was unveiled, with the owner kneeling and clutching a stelae containing a
hymn to the sun, men and women wear huge, thick wigs with nubs, and a new sculpture was
unveiled, with the owner kneeling and clutching.
1069-664 BCE - Third Intermediate Period
The ‘Third Intermediate Period,' which lasted from 1069 to 664 BCE, was characterised by
Nubian and Libyan dominance. The Kushite fold (a facial fold that runs from the nose to the
mouth) is a facial fold that runs from the nose to the mouth, and Nubians with dark skin,
hooped earrings, and braided hair are depicted.
664-332 BCE - Late Period, Dynasties 26-30
The ‘Late Period,' Dynasties 26-30, existed from 664 to 332 BCE, and it was during this time
that Egypt reclaimed the monarchy from Nubian and Libyan control. The reason for its
significance is that they influenced movements such as disregarding the New Kingdom's
stylistic developments in favour of previous models, particularly those from the Old and
Middle Kingdoms, raising the king's and elite's standards, artisans now working on extremely
hard stones due to the invention of iron tools, and bronze statuary I.
332-30 BCE - Ptolemaic Period
The Ptolemaic Period, which lasted from 332 to 30 BCE, saw events such as Alexander the
Great conquering Egypt, Cleopatra's death in 30 BCE, and Egypt becoming a Roman
province. It was during this time period that Rome conquered Egypt, and movements such
as Sphinxes and giant sculptures adorn temple pylons, in feminine shapes, a new type of
voluptuousness has evolved, and types of relief that are lofty, elegantly rounded, and richly
sculpted have emerged.
30 BCE-396 CE - Roman Period
The Roman Period is defined as the historical period from 30 BCE and 396 CE, which is
when Rome conquered Egypt. As a result, Christianity was adopted, and movements such
as the 4-5th Century CE painting adorned pagan and Christian themes.