Predynastic Period: c5500-3100 BC.
Very little is known about this time and of the pharaohs of these early dynasties. Egyptian civilisation as we understand it, begins with the unification of the two lands of Upper and Lower Egypt by Menes (Hor-Aha).

First Dynasty 3050 - 2890 BC

Second Dynasty 2890 - 2686 BC

THE OLD KINGDOM: c2686-2181 BC.
The "coming of age" of Egyptian civilisation, and the age of the pyramid. 3rd Dynasty pharaoh Djoser builds the very first pyramid, The Step Pyramid at Saqqara. 4th Dynasty pharaohs Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure build the Great Pyramids of Giza. 5th Dynasty pharaohs build the smaller pyramid complexes at Abu Sir and Saqqara.

Third Dynasty 2686 - 2613 BC

Fourth Dynasty 2613 - 2498 BC

Fifth Dynasty 2498 - 2345 BC

Sixth Dynasty 2345 - 2181 BC

First Intermediate Period: 7th-11th Dynasties c2181- 055 BC.
Disorder, social and political decline and dissolution. A very unsettled time. Breakdown of centralised government, with many kings having overlapping reigns. Finally brought under control by a strong line of Theban princes, and the reunification of Egypt by Mentuhotep I.

MIDDLE KINGDOM: c2055-1650 BC.
A time of foreign trade and enormous building projects, marking a long, successful and prosperous period. Elegant and sophisticated craftsmanship, and a feeling of "renaissance", followed by gradual decline.

Mid-Eleventh Dynasty (Mentuhotep I) 2060 - 1991 BC

Twelfth Dynasty 1991 - 1782 BC

Thirteenth Dynasty 1782 - 1650 BC (first half only)

Second Intermediate Period: 13th (latter)-17th Dynasties c1650-1570 BC.
The Hyksos invade and conquer. Ahmose I defeats the Hyksos and the Theban princes eventually regain power.

NEW KINGDOM: c1570-1070 BC.
Probably the best known period of Egyptian antiquity. A  very successful and prosperous time, with a "renaissance" in art and monumental building projects. Unfortunately by the end of the 19th Dynasty, the increasing power of the priesthood corrupts the central government. The 20th Dynasty sees many tombs robbed by officials, and the priesthood becomes hereditary and assumes secular power. The government finally breaks down.

Eighteenth Dynasty 1570 - 1293 BC

Nineteenth Dynasty 1293 - 1185 BC

Twentieth Dynasty 1185 - 1070 BC

Third Intermediate Period: 21st - 24th Dynasties c1070-664 BC.
The T.I.P represents a distinct cycle defined by loss of unity at the end of the New Kingdom to the restoration of unified authority under Psamtek I. Although the power structure of the T.I.P was now very different from that of the New Kingdom, towns and cities still continued to flourish and the economy was generally healthy. The 21st - 24th Dynasties is known as the Libyan Period, and the system adopted by the Libyan rulers and modified by the later 25th Dynasty Kushites was generally effective.

THE LATE PERIOD: c664-332 BC.
The country is reunified under the Saite ruler Psamtek I. The Late Period generally covers the following four clearly defined phases:

Twenty Sixth Dynasty (Saite) 664 - 525 BC

First Persian Period: 27th Dynasty c525-404 BC.

Twenty Eighth Dynasty 404 - 399 BC. A period of independent rule:

Twenty Ninth Dynasty 399 - 380 BC

Thirtieth Dynasty 380 - 343 BC

Second Persian Period: 31st Dynasty c343-332 BC.
The 31st Dynasty is also known as the Second Persian Period. This second occupation was a period of suppression and rebellion resulting in the Egyptians welcoming the rule of the Macedonian leader Alexander.

THE MACEDONIAN AND PTOLEMAIC PERIOD: 332-3O BC.
The Mediterranean city of Alexandria was established by Alexander the Great, who "conquered" Egypt in 332 BC. After the death of his half brother and son, Alexander's general Ptolemy I became pharaoh. A somewhat confusing time due to many co-regencies. Scholars are not always in agreement on the order of reigns, and in some instances, of the reigns themselves from Ptolemy VI through to Ptolemy XI. Egypt's authority was intact until the death of the infamous Cleopatra, after which Egypt was inaugurated into the Roman Empire.