Ancient History of Egypt
Archaic Period
Dynasties One and Two (3000-2700* BC)
This is the period that covers DYNASTIES One and Two. After the
unification of the country by King Menes, MEMPHIS was established
as the first capital of the unified country. It was a great
formative period during which the basis of Egyptian civilization
were firmly established. By the end of the Second
DYNASTY artistic conventions fully developed, hieroglyphic
writing had advanced and techniques in crafts and industries had
evolved. Egypt was on the threshold of a great sophisticated
civilization.
[* Dates are not absolute]
Old Kingdom
Dynasties Three to Six (2700-2190 BC)
This period covers DYNASTIES Three to Six, a formative period
with many innovations. At this time the basis of the future
civilization of Egypt was established. The great technological
advances reached during this period are best demonstrated in the
construction of the great pyramids at GIZA.
The first king whose reign ushered in this new epoch was ZOSER
and it is his architect IMHOTEP who constructed at SAQQARA the
first step pyramid with its great enclosure wall containing many
buildings connected with the ritual ceremonies performed by the
king. MEMPHIS remained the political capital and organized
central administration. But, towards the end of that period
central authority disintegrated and Egypt fell into a state of
rapid decline. The downfall of the Old Kingdom was brought after
the reign of PEPI II, during his reign the central administration
ultimately collapsed. It was thought that the increase in power
of the provincial governors had led to the country's political
fragmentation. However it has been suggested recently that the
increase in rank and titles of provincial governors was the
result of governmental reforms
First Intermediate Period
Dynasties Seven to Ten (2200-2040 BC)
The term refers to the period that witnessed the collapse of the
central authority starting from the end of the Sixth DYNASTY till
the Eleventh Dynasty. Egypt was divided and ruled by the 9th and
10th Dynasties from Herakleopolis in MIDDLE EGYPT and from THEBES
in the south.
Middle Kingdom
Dynasties Eleven and Twelve (2040- 1785 BC)
The Middle Kingdom, covering the DYNASTIES 11 and 12, started
when MENTUHOTEP I gradually expanded his influence from THEBES
northwards and came into conflict with the HERAKLEOPOLTIANS. He
managed to defeat them and reunite the country and re-establish
the central government. DYNASTY 12 was founded by AMENEMHET I the
VIZIER of MENTUHOTEP III, the most significant act was to move
the capital from THEBES to a site named ITJTAWY near MEMPHIS.
With this move to north the leaders of the new DYNASTY reverted
again to pyramid building, although they never attempted to raise
such a magnificent structure as those produced during the OLD
KINGDOM. During the Middle Kingdom Egypt became once more highly
organized and well administered country, the land was settled,
and irrigation systems were again established. The administration
of the country was also greatly reformed. Egyptian trade
flourished with NUBIA, Libya and western Asia. Middle Kingdom art
reached a high standard. The Middle Kingdom was also the golden
age of Egyptian literature.
Second Intermediate Period
Dynasties Thirteen to Seventeen (1785-1552 BC)
It is the period of the HYKSOS domination over Egypt. The Hyksos
were made up of different western Asiatic elements who
infiltrated the DELTA and managed to establish themselves as
kings of Egypt. The Hyksos adopted the Egyptian style of life,
there was no major change or break in the general organization of
the country however the Hyksos succeeded in changing the
Egyptians' world view and turning them from an isolated yet
brilliant society to people who sought control abroad.
New Kingdom
Dynasties Eighteen to Twenty (1552- 1069 BC)
The New Kingdom covers DYNASTY 18-20 also known as the Egyptian
Empire. It began with the final expulsion of the HYKSOS rulers by
AHMOSE who came from THEBES. Egyptian control was again
reasserted and the central government was re-established in
THEBES which was to become the capital of the country. The New
Kingdom was characterized by its extensive expansionist polices.
During this period Egypt maintained control over the fertile
crescent in Palestine and Syria and went into extensive
commercial and political contacts with states in the Aegean, Near
East, and North Africa. This expansion and conquest did not
result only in power and wealth, the intellectual thought was
broadened, the sense of the Egyptian superiority over foreigners
was strengthened, religious thinking was also affected gaining
more universalistic character, the great gods of Egypt were now
the gods of all man kind. The wealth of the country was well
manifested in the extensive building activities undertaken by
most of the kings.
Amarna Period
Named for the site AMARNA; the term is used to designate the part
of AKHENATEN's reign spent there, or the entire length of his
rule.
Third Intermediate Period
Dynasties Twenty-one to Twenty-five (1069-702 BC)
The Third Intermediate period was characterized by continuous
tension between central authority and decentralized forces. Often
there were two kings governing at the same time one from the
north and the other from the south. Occasionally there was open
conflict between these two forces and there was extreme political
fragmentation in the last century of this period.
The Late period
Dynasties Twenty-five to Thirty (702-332 BC)
The Late period was on the whole a period of decline. There was
political and social instability and the power of the Egyptian
pharaohs was weak and challenged by other forces in the country.
Large foreign colonies developed and Egypt for the first time
opened its borders to the foreigners who settled in the Delta.
Greco-Roman (332
BC-395 AD)
In 332 Alexander the Great took possession of Egypt and for the
next 250 years Egypt was ruled by Greeks, but as a separate
country with its own interests. Immigration was encouraged from
all sides of the Mediterranean The newly founded capital
Alexandria displaced Athens as the center of learning. The Greeks
also introduced new agriculture techniques and restored earlier
temples. However Ptolemaic rule ended with the conquest of Egypt
by the Romans in 30 BC.
Under Roman rule there was an initial increase in prosperity. But
this policy was carried out to secure wealth for Rome and not for
Egypt's own sake.
Egypt was not given any degree of local autonomy, unlike other
provinces of the Roman Empire. It was administered by a perfect
under the jurisdiction of the emperor.