Timeline: Egyptian Kings: Old Kingdom

2650 BCE

Sanakht

Greek form: Necheróphes. Could be the same as Nebka; this is disputed amongst scholars.

2649 BCE

Sekhemkhet

Greek form: Tyréis (after the ramesside cartouche name for Sekhemkhet, Teti). In the necropolis of his unfinished step pyramid, the remains of a 2-year old infant were found.

2643 BCE

Djoser

Greek form: Tosórthros. Commissioned the first Pyramid in Egypt, created by chief architect and scribe Imhotep.

2643 BCE

Khaba

Possibly built an unfinished step pyramid, could be identical with Huni.

2637 BCE

Huni

Greek form: Áches. Could be the same as Qahedjet or Khaba. Possibly built an unfinished step pyramid and several cultic pyramids throughout Egypt. Huni was for a long time credited with the building of the pyramid of Meidum. This, however, is disproved by New Kingdom graffiti that praise king Snofru, not Huni.

2613 BCE

Sneferu

Greek form: Sóris. Reigned 48 years, giving him enough time to build the Meidum Pyramid, the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid. Some scholars believe that he was buried in the Red Pyramid. For a long time it was thought that the Meidum Pyramid was not Sneferu's work, but that of king Huni. Ancient Egyptian documents describe Sneferu as a pious, generous and even accostable ruler.

2589 BCE

Khufu

Greek form: Cheops and Suphis. Built the Great pyramid of Giza. Khufu is depicted as a cruel tyrant by ancient Greek authors, Ancient Egyptian sources however describe him as a generous and pious ruler. He is the main protagonist of the famous Westcar Papyrus. The first imprinted papyri originate from Khufu's reign, which may have made ancient Greek authors believe that Khufu wrote books in attempt to praise the gods.

2570 BCE

Baka/Bauefrê

Greek form: Bikheris. Could be the owner of the Unfinished Northern Pyramid of Zawyet el'Aryan

2566 BCE

Djedefre

Greek form: Rátoises. Some scholars believe he created the Great Sphinx of Giza as a monument for his deceased father. He also created a pyramid at Abu Rawash. However, this pyramid is no longer intact as it is believed the Romans recycled the materials it was made from.

2558 BCE

Khafre

Greek form: Chéphren and Suphis II. His pyramid is the second largest in Giza. Some scholars prefer him as the creator of the Great Sphinx before Djedefra. Ancient Greek authors describe Khafra as likewise cruel as Khufu.

2532 BCE

Menkaure

Greek form: Menchéres. His pyramid is the third and smallest in Giza. A legend claims that his only daughter died due an illness and Menkaura buried her in a golden coffin in shape of a cow.