Egyptian civilization from 3100 BCE to 332 BCE
Egypt is known as the first great African kingdom and one of the earliest civilizations in the world; moreover,
its dynamic history has continued to the present day.
Pharaonic Egypt
This time period is often called the Pharaonic period in Egyptian history. The name Pharaonic refers to the
long line of pharaohs, who were kings of Egypt and also considered gods.
The Nile River is where it all began! People who settled along the Nile River eventually were organized into
small kingdoms. These small kingdoms were eventually united into a large kingdom that stretched along the
Nile River into what is today Sudan. This kingdom also included various surrounding regions at different
points during the Pharaonic period of Egyptian history.
The Pharaonic Period is divided into seven main periods. These divisions were not abrupt or obvious to the
people living at the time. Modern historians created them to organize their research.
The Archaic Period
This period lasted from about 3200-2900 BCE, approximately 5,000 years ago. Prior to this time, there were
two small kingdoms along the Nile River. The kingdoms were united under the first pharaoh of the first
dynasty that ruled Egypt. A dynasty refers to a series of rulers from the same line of descent. This first
pharaoh of the first dynasty was named Menes. During the Archaic period, two different dynasties ruled
Egypt. These dynasties ruled from the cities of Thinis and Memphis at different times during this period.
The Old Kingdom
The Old Kingdom lasted from 2900 to 2280 BCE. This period is noted for political unity throughout the
kingdom and a stable new state that began to form a distinctly Egyptian identity. There were four dynasties
that ruled during this time-the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th dynasties.
Several important accomplishments are noteworthy during this period. First, the construction of the famous
Egyptian pyramids began. The first of these is the step pyramid. It was built by I-em-htp. In addition, pyramids
were built for the pharaohs Snefru, Khufu, Khafre, and Mankaure in the 4th dynasty. The pyramid for Khufu is
the largest building ever constructed and chief of the Seven Wonders of the World.
A second noteworthy aspect of the Old Kingdom is the contact that Egypt had with areas around it and how it
included some of them into its territory. During the 4th dynasty, Egypt had successful military campaigns to
the south (Nubians) and to the west (Libyans), as well as, timber trade with Syria. During the 5th dynasty,
there were expeditions against the Libyans, Bedouins of the Sinai, and southern Palestine. Egyptian trading
ships sailed from the coast of Palestine to as far as Punt, which is believed to be in present day Somalia. The
6th dynasty worked toward expanding and consolidating Egyptian power in Nubia, to the south. However,
toward the end of the 6th dynasty, the Old Kingdom lost its power, which led to a period of anarchy referred
to as the First Intermediate Period. The term anarchy refers to an absence of any political authority.
The First Intermediate Period
This period lasted from 2280 to 2060 BCE. It was marked by chaos, civil war, and anarchy. Many rulers came
to power only to be quickly conquered by another. Historians can piece together some of the history of this
period through the writings of a man who lived during this time named Ipu-wer. He described a social
revolution and lack of centralized authority. A later copy of his writing is still preserved today on papyrus;
however, even with great sources like this to tell about the past, historians do not know much about this
period of Egyptian history.
The Middle Kingdom
This period lasted from 2060 to 1785 BCE. This was the second great period of national development. The
state of Egypt was reunited under single rule. The region of Nubia to the south and trade in the south were
once again controlled by Egypt, giving Egypt more control than ever before. However, the authority of the
kingdom eventually declined, leading into the Second Intermediate Period.
The Second Intermediate Period
This period lasted from 1785 to 1580 BCE. It was marked by the invasion of the Hyksos, a group from Asia,
who by 1700 BCE were a well-organized, well-equipped, warrior-like people. The Hyksos conquered parts of
Egypt, bringing with them new strategies for warfare that the Egyptians learned. These included the use of
chariots, horses, and body-armor. In turn, the Egyptians used these new technologies against the Hyksos to
drive them out of Egypt.
The New Kingdom
This period lasted from 1580 to 1085 BCE. During this time, Egypt extended itself into a large empire and
became an important world power. The 18th, 19th, and 20th dynasties ruled the New Kingdom, as part of the
long line of the 30 dynasties of Pharaonic Egypt.
Thutmose III, one of the pharaohs of the 18th dynasty, conquered the Palestine-Syria-Lebanon region. Control
over this territory was maintained, with some struggle, through the 19th dynasty. Also part of the 18th
dynasty is the pharaoh Tutankhamun, popularly known as "King Tut." Tutankhamun's tomb was found largely
intact by British archeologist Howard Carter in 1922.
Towards the end of the 20th dynasty, Egypt was plagued with internal problems and struggled to defend itself
against foreign armies. In the end, a new dynasty took power led by the high priest Heri-Hor.
The Period of Decline
This period lasted from 1085 to 322 BCE. It began with a dynasty from Libya taking power for about 200 years.
Following this, Egypt was divided into petty kingdoms and went through a long period of struggle against
forces from the outside, such as Sudan and Assyria. Finally, towards the end of this period, Egypt came under
Persian control. The date, 322 BCE, marks the time when Alexander the Great invaded Egypt and defeated the
Persians, which is considered the end of the long line of 30 dynasties in Pharaonic Egypt.