The Pharaos

Dynasties of ancient Egypt

Egyptian history is split into numbered dynasties, grouped into periods of strong and weak central rule.

Early Dynastic Period

3100 BC to 2686 BC. The first two dynasties: kingship is unified, writing develops and kings are buried at Abydos.

Dynasty 13100 BC to 2890 BC. 9 rulers, from Thinis / Memphis.Dynasty 22890 BC to 2686 BC. 7 rulers, from Memphis.

Old Kingdom

2686 BC to 2181 BC. The age of the pyramids, from Djoser's Step Pyramid to the end of Pepi II's long reign.

Dynasty 32686 BC to 2613 BC. 5 rulers, from Memphis.Dynasty 42613 BC to 2494 BC. 7 rulers, from Memphis.Dynasty 52494 BC to 2345 BC. 9 rulers, from Memphis.Dynasty 62345 BC to 2181 BC. 7 rulers, from Memphis.

First Intermediate Period

2181 BC to 2040 BC. Central authority fragments; rival lines rule from Herakleopolis and Thebes.

Dynasty 7-82181 BC to 2160 BC. 8 rulers, from Memphis.Dynasty 92160 BC to 2130 BC. 3 rulers, from Herakleopolis.Dynasty 102130 BC to 2040 BC. 3 rulers, from Herakleopolis.

Middle Kingdom

2040 BC to 1802 BC. Reunification under Thebes, then the Twelfth Dynasty at Itjtawy; classical literature and strong frontiers.

Dynasty 112134 BC to 1991 BC. 6 rulers, from Thebes.Dynasty 121991 BC to 1802 BC. 8 rulers, from Itjtawy.

Second Intermediate Period

1802 BC to 1550 BC. Egypt splits again, with Hyksos rulers in the north and Theban kings in the south.

Dynasty 131802 BC to 1649 BC. 12 rulers, from Itjtawy / Thebes.Dynasty 141805 BC to 1650 BC. 3 rulers, from Avaris.Dynasty 151650 BC to 1550 BC. 5 rulers, from Avaris.Dynasty 161650 BC to 1580 BC. 3 rulers, from Thebes.Dynasty 171580 BC to 1550 BC. 8 rulers, from Thebes.

New Kingdom

1550 BC to 1077 BC. Empire and wealth: Thebes and the Valley of the Kings, Akhenaten, Tutankhamun and the Ramessides.

Dynasty 181550 BC to 1292 BC. 15 rulers, from Thebes / Akhetaten.Dynasty 191292 BC to 1189 BC. 8 rulers, from Pi-Ramesses.Dynasty 201189 BC to 1077 BC. 10 rulers, from Pi-Ramesses / Thebes.

Third Intermediate Period

1077 BC to 664 BC. Divided rule by Tanis, Libyan and Kushite kings.

Dynasty 211077 BC to 943 BC. 7 rulers, from Tanis.Dynasty 22943 BC to 728 BC. 10 rulers, from Bubastis / Tanis.Dynasty 23837 BC to 735 BC. 9 rulers, from Leontopolis / Thebes.Dynasty 24732 BC to 720 BC. 2 rulers, from Sais.Dynasty 25744 BC to 656 BC. 5 rulers, from Napata / Memphis / Thebes.

Late Period

664 BC to 332 BC. Saite revival, two periods of Persian rule and the last native dynasties.

Dynasty 26664 BC to 525 BC. 6 rulers, from Sais.Dynasty 27525 BC to 404 BC. 6 rulers, from Memphis.Dynasty 28404 BC to 398 BC. 1 rulers, from Sais.Dynasty 29398 BC to 380 BC. 4 rulers, from Mendes.Dynasty 30380 BC to 343 BC. 3 rulers, from Sebennytos.Dynasty 31343 BC to 332 BC. 3 rulers, from Memphis.

Macedonian and Ptolemaic Period

332 BC to 30 BC. Greek-speaking kings rule from Alexandria until Cleopatra VII and the Roman conquest.

Macedonian dynasty332 BC to 305 BC. 3 rulers, from Alexandria / Memphis.Ptolemaic dynasty305 BC to 30 BC. 29 rulers, from Alexandria.

Prefer a chart? See the timeline, or the list of pharaohs.