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3300 BCE
Use of Hieroglyphs
Egyptians began using hieroglyphs to represent ideas or objects. The system is made up of 700-800 characters called glyphs. However, towards the end of the Ancient Egyptian period, the number of characters grew, as religious text began to be recorded. The Egyptian stopped using hieroglyphs around 200CE. -
Period: 3150 BCE to 3100 BCE
Pharaoh Narmer
The first pharaoh of Egypt. Also called Menes, he unified Lower and Upper Egypt into one empire. -
Period: 3150 BCE to 2180 BCE
Pharaohs ruled from Memphis
When Pharaoh Narmer united Upper and Lower Egypt, Memphis became the capital of Egypt. It was also called 'White Walls' because the building were made of mud brick and then painted white. Even when Memphis was not Egypt's capital, it remained an important place for the country. Memphis became a World Heritage site 1979. -
2690 BCE
Pharaoh Khasekhemwy unites Lower and Upper Egypt
Despite the violence and conflict between Upper and Lower Egypt in the second dynasty, Pharaoh Khasekhemwy re-united Egypt -
Period: 2681 BCE to 2662 BCE
Pharaoh Djoser
Pharaoh Djoser began building projects as soon as he was made pharaoh, which lead to many advances in civilisation, especially around the Nile. He took the throne from his father, Khasekhemwy. A Stele called the Famine Stele is a primary source that was created about him, and was estimated to be made 2000 years after his reign, which shows that he was remembered as a king. He reigned in the third dynasty. -
2657 BCE
Step Pyramid of Djoser was created
The Step Pyramid of Djoser is found in Saqqar and is one of the earliest pyramids. It was built as a tomb for Pharaoh Djoser. It is 62 metres tall -
Period: 2613 BCE to 2580 BCE
Reign of Pharaoh Snefru
Pharaoh Snefru was the first king of the 4th Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. He was a popular and well-liked king, and was in charge of the construction of the Red Pyramid, among many others. Snefru was most likely the son of Huni, who was king before him. However, his mother, who was most likely Meresankh I, was either a concubine or a lessor wife, therefore being the reason for the new dynasty. -
Period: 2558 BCE to 2532 BCE
Pharaoh Khafra ruled
Khafra succeeded Redjedef who was probably his older brother. He build the Great Sphinx, and the second of the Three Pyramids of Giza. He was a cruel king, and while his relatives (besides his father Khufu) were buried in cheap and unimpressive tombs, he made his tomb in a vast pyramid like his father. He ruled in the 4th Dynasty -
2325 BCE
Pepi 2nd becomes Pharaoh
During Pharaoh Pepi 2nd's rule, the Egyptian government was weakened due to troubles outside the government, but also inside. Pharaoh Pepi 2nd was made kin when he was 6 years old, succeeding Merenre who was his half-brother. Some sources recorded that he reigned for 94 years, while others show that his rule was shorted, lasting 62 years, as documentation of Pepi 1st and others are missing -
Period: 2148 BCE to 2144 BCE
Queen Neithikret reign and fall of Old Kingdom
Queen Neithikret was one of the first queens of Egypt. At her time of reign, Egypt was facing environmental (famine) and political issues, which could have been the cause of the downfall of the Old Kingdom. These factors, along with a weak ruler saw to the fall of the Old Kingdom Egypt.
