the old kingdom

	Early Dynastic		Old Kingdom		Intermediate Periods		Middle Kingdom
	New Kingdom		Late Period		Ptolemaic Period

c.2686 - c.2181 BC±. Chronological phase consisting of the 3rd-6th Dynasties. This period is also known as "the age of the pyramid builders" as it was during this phase that most of the royal pyramid complexes and private mastaba tombs of the Memphite necropolis were built.

It was during the Old Kingdom that the Ancient Egyptian civilisation really came into being. The power of Egypt expanded considerably throughout the four dynasties, probably due largely to the increasing consolidation of the government and an efficient administrative system. The concept of Kingship had greater emphasis placed on the divine nature of Pharaoh, who was considered to be the incarnation of Horus and (from the 5th Dynasty onwards) the son of Re.

Technological advances that had began in previous centuries, such as building, technology, hieroglyphic writing and artistic representation reached new heights during this period, and nowhere more obviously so than in the spectacular programme of pyramid construction.

Pharaohs of the Old Kingdom and their funerary monuments:

The fall of the Old Kingdom

During the reign of Pepi II, there is increasing evidence of the transference of control away from Memphis. Local governors cut huge and impressive tombs for themselves in the provinces, and paid little allegiance to the northern capital. The wealth that the king bestowed on his nobles not only ran down his own treasury, but also benefited their status to the detriment of his. At the same time, heavy demands of Egypt's foreign interests further hastened the political collapse, and with the passing of the 6th Dynasty in around 2181 BC, the Old Kingdom as such, came to an end.

Related pages: You can see pictures and descriptions of several of the pyramid complexes mentioned above on our dedicated "pyramid" pages in the main site. You can also find comprehensive articles on the Early Dynastic period and the Old Kingdom period in our "articles" pages in the main site.

±IMPORTANT NOTE: The precise dates of the Egyptian Dynasties and of individual reigns are still the subject of much scholarly debate. Students and other individuals who use this website should therefore be aware that the dates shown for the dynasties and individual reigns throughout this site may sometimes differ to the dates that are used in other publications.