History Embalmed

Old Kingdom

The significant Events, Achievements and People of Old Kingdom are as follows:

  • Notable Pharaohs were Djoser - 2668 - 2649, Sneferu aka Snefru - 2613-2589 and Khufu aka Cheops 2589 - 2566 and Unas aka Wenas, Unis- 2375 - 2345
  • Djoser established his court at Memphis
  • The Old Kingdom is famous for the large number of pyramids, which were constructed at this time as the burial places of Pharaohs
  • The 3rd Dynasty - The first Egyptian pyramid is built - the Step Pyramid at Saqqara for King Djoser who was one of the kings of the 3rd Dynasty
  • The 4th dynasty - The Great Pyramids of Egypt were built at Giza and revered as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World
    • Sneferu aka Snefru - 2613-2589,the founder of the fourth dynasty, is known to have commissioned three pyramids
    • Khufu (Greek Cheops) 2589 - 2566 erected the Great Pyramid of Giza
  • The 5th dynasty - Egyptian religion made several important changes and cult of the god Ra gained in importance
    • The kings from Userkaf 2498 - 2491through to Pharaoh Menkauhor 2422 - 2414built temples dedicated to Ra at Abusir
    • King Unas aka Wenas, Unis- 2375 - 2345  (the last ruler of the 5th Dynasty) had the burial chamber in his pyramid inscribed with spells for the afterlife and the cult of Osiris. These are referred to as the Pyramid Texts - later used and adapted to become the basis of the Book of the Dead

  • The 6th dynasty - The 6th Dynasty was founded by Teti
    • Pharaoh Pepy II is credited with the longest reign in the history of Egypt of 94 years
    • Nitiqret (also known by the Greek name Nitocris), is believed to have not only been the first female ruler of and Queen of Egypt

Old Kingdom - Dates and Time Period
The Old Kingdom is often referred to as "the Age of the Pyramids." The time period covering the Old Kingdom is 2686 BC - 2181 BC.

Old Kingdom - The Dynasties
The names of the dynasties spanning Old Kingdom were:

  • 3rd - 6th Egyptian Dynasties

The names of the Pharaohs who ruled during these dynasties of Early Egypt history  are detailed below.

Old Kingdom
The period of Ancient Egypt history, which includes the period of Old Kingdom, stretches over 3000 years and encompasses hundreds of Pharaohs. Because of this massive time span and timeline Egyptologists have divided the different historical times into Periods, Kingdoms and Dynasties:

  • Definition of Kingdoms - Politically organized communities with a monarchical form of government headed by a King, Queen or Pharaoh
  • Definition of Dynasties - Egyptian dynasties were  families which retained political power across generations
  • Definition of Periods - A distinct evolutionary or developmental phase in Egypt, such as the period of Old Kingdom
  • Definition of Intermediate Periods - The time between the end of an old period or Kingdom to the start of a new period or Kingdom, allowing for possible anomalies in dates

Old Kingdom - The Pharaohs
The names give to the Pharaohs of Old Kingdom are as follows:

List of the names of the Pharaohs of the 3rd - Third Egyptian Dynasty
  • Sanakhte aka Nebka - 2686 - 2668
  • Djoser - 2668 - 2649
  • Sekhemkhet - 2649 - 2643
  • Khaba - 2643 - 2637
  • Huni - 2637 - 2613

List of names of the Pharaohs of the 4th - Fourth Egyptian Dynasty

  • Sneferu aka Snefru - 2613-2589
  • Khufu aka Cheops 2589 - 2566
  • Djedefra - 2566 - 2558
  • Khafre aka Khafra, Rakhaef, Chephren - 2558 - 2532
  • Menkaure aka Mycerinus, Mykerinos - 2532 - 2504
  • Shepseskaf - 2504 - 2500

List of names of the Pharaohs of the 5th - Fifth Egyptian Dynasty

  • Userkaf aka Weserkaf 2498 - 2491
  • Sahure - 2491 - 2477
  • Neferirkare - 2477 - 2467
  • Shepseskare - 2467 - 2460
  • Neferefre aka Raneferef - 2460 - 2453
  • Niuserre - 2453 - 2422
  • Menkauhor - 2422 - 2414
  • Djedkare - 2414 - 2375
  • Unas aka Wenas, Unis- 2375 - 2345

List of names of the Pharaohs of the 6th - Sixth Egyptian Dynasty

  • Teti - 2345 - 2333
  • Pepi I aka Pepy I, Piopi I, Phiops I - 2332 - 2283
  • Nemtyemsaf Merenra - 2283 - 2278
  • Queen Nitiqret (also known by the Greek name Nitocris)
  • Pepi II - 2278 - 2184

Timelines
Our Egyptian Timelines provide a time driven list Ancient Egyptian pharaohs, periods, kingdoms and dynasties provide the generally accepted dates of each of these times - a chronology or list of dates of all the periods, kingdoms and dynasties of Egypt. So if you are interested in Old Kingdom then the important people and events, via a simple timeline, charting the key dates in Ancient Egyptian history will prove to be interesting.

Pharaohs Timeline
Ancient Egyptian Timeline
Ancient Egyptian Dynasties
King Tut Index
Ancient Egypt History

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