African Kingdoms

Ancient Egypt
c.34th Century - 30 BC

Ancient Egypt was a narrow valley bordered on either side by extensive deserts. From around 9000 BC, the hunter-gatherer inhabitants of the fertile Nile Valley enjoyed the milder post-glacial conditions, domesticating animals and increasing in number. In the late sixth millennium BC farming villages appeared, and the following two millennia saw the gradual formation of small states.

After 4000 BC there was a substantial increase in population, and villages sizes increased accordingly. From around 3500 to 3000 BC there were great and very sudden advances in craftsmanship and technology, which culminated in the working of copper, stone mace heads and ceramics. The first walled towns appeared at Naqada and Heirakonpolis (circa 3300 BC), and were associated with rich tombs, probably the resting places of the rulers of Upper Egypt (to the south). One of these rulers was the first to unite the whole valley, from the first cataract near the Nubian Desert to the Mediterranean, as a single kingdom in about 3400 or 3100 BC.

There are two main schools of thought regarding the dating of Egyptian dynasties. The earlier one is used here in the main chart, but a more recent (and increasingly accepted) version is shown where data is available in the lefthand column. One of the oldest known civilisations, the rulers of Egypt were known as pharaohs (meaning Great House). Many early records from outside of Egypt are Greek in origin, so in many cases the Greek version of names are shown in brackets.

Archaic Period

The Archaic period includes the Early Dynastic Period, when Lower Egypt and Upper Egypt were ruled as separate kingdoms, and the First and Second Dynasties.

New Dating

EARLY DYNASTIC (LOWER EGYPT)

Lower Egypt, the area nearest the Mediterranean, was known as the Black Land, and consisted of the northern Nile and the Nile Delta. The following list is probably incomplete.

Tiu

Thesh

Hsekiu

c.3100 BC?

Wazner

c.3200 - 3100 BC

EARLY DYNASTIC (UPPER EGYPT)

Upper Egypt was known as the Red Land, and consisted of the southern Nile and the deserts. The following list is probably incomplete, as there are many more names which are of uncertain existence.

c.3200 BC?

Serket I

Oldest tomb at Umm el-Qa'ab had scorpion insignia.

c.3150 BC?

Iry-Hor

Kingship uncertain.

c.3100 BC?

Ka

c.3100 BC?

Serqet II (King Scorpion)

Very uncertain. May be same as Menes or Narmer.

c.3100 - 2890 BC

FIRST (THINITE) DYNASTY
3400 - 3200 BC

The Old Kingdom was a theocratic state dominated by a divine king. Belief in life after death was a fundamental religious tenet, and both kings and courtiers built increasingly elaborate tombs to reflect this belief. Mummification was already being practised.

Egypt was governed by ministers who were answerable to the pharaoh and headed by the vizier, responsible for administration, justice and taxation. The country was divided into provinces (nomes), each ruled by a provincial governor, who became increasingly independent of central control.

c.3100 BC

c.3400 BC

Menes / Meni (Min)

United North & South kingdoms.

c.3100 BC

According to Herodotus, Memphis is founded as the capital of Egypt by Menes. According to other sources the capital is at the city of 'This' near Abydos, which itself dates back to prehistory. Perhaps the confusion arises from the fact that Menes has tombs at both Saqqara, close to Memphis in Lower Egypt, and at Abydos in Upper Egypt.

c.3300 BC

Narmer

Important in the unification of Egypt.

The Narmer Palette shows the pharaoh Narmer wielding the unified symbols of both Upper and Lower Egypt. Some theorise that Narmer and Menes are in fact the same person; others that Menes had inherited an already-unified kingdom from Narmer; while others suggest that Menes had complete a process of unification which Narmer had begun. The view that Narmer actually succeeded Menes seems to be an older one, and is used here.

c.3050 BC

Aha / Hor-Aka

Son.

c.3000 BC

The first evidence of Egyptian hieroglyphics - already very advanced in form - appears at this time.

Djer

Ruled a united Egypt. Reigned for 41 years.

Djet / Wadj/Zet/Uadji (Uenephes)

Den (Dewen)

First to use the title "King of Upper and Lower Egypt".

Merneith

Regent.

Anedjib / Enezib / Andjyeb

Reigned for 10 years.

Semerkhet

Possible usurper. Reigned for 9 years.

2916 - 2890 BC

c.3200 BC

Qa'a / Ka'a

Reigned for 26 years.

2890 - 2686 BC

SECOND (THINITE) DYNASTY
3200 - 2980 BC

Little is known about the start of the Second Dynasty. It is possible that Hotepsekhemwy reached office by marriage to a princess, so it isn't known if he was related to the old Thinite line of rulers or not. He is not thought to be the son of Qa'a, but could possibly be his son-in-law. He made offerings in memory of the man and was possibly responsible for Qa'a's funeral. Seals with the name of "Hotepsekhemwy" have been found outside the tomb of Qa'a at Abydos. His tomb has been identified in Saqqara; the substructure has survived but there are no remains of a superstructure.

2890 -          BC

c.2915 BC

Hotepsekhemwy (Boethos)

Raneb (Nebra)

Possibly reigned for 39 years.

Nynetjer

Reigned for 40 years.

Wneg

Reigned for 8 years.

Senedj

Reigned for 20 years.

Seth-Peribsen

Reigned 17 years. Possibly only ruled Upper Egypt.

While Sekhemi-Perenmaat seems to be fairly securely recognised as the predecessor of the final second dynasty pharaoh, Khasekhemui, Seth-Perinsen is much harder to pin down. It is likely that he ruled the southern half of Egypt only, while Perenmaat rules the northern half and succeeds to the rest upon Peribsen's death.

Sekhemib-Perenmaat

Possibly only ruled Lower Egypt.

2704 - 2686 BC

Khasekhemui (Khasekhemwy)

Reigned for 18 years.

Old Kingdom

Egypt attained its first continuous peak of complexity in its civilisation and achievements with its administration centralised at Memphis, where Zoser established his court. The Old Kingdom is perhaps best known for the large number of pyramids which were constructed at this time as pharaonic burial places. For this reason, the Old Kingdom is frequently referred to as "the Age of the Pyramids".

2686 - 2613 BC

THIRD (MEMPHITE) DYNASTY
2980 - 2900 BC

Sanakhte's name means 'strong protection'. He presumably gained his position by marriage to a daughter of Khasekhemui, with rule even at this early period being passed down through the female line.

Memphis was the capital of the first province (nome) of Lower Egypt, and it became the kingdom's capital, strategically situated as it was at the junction of the Nile Valley and the Delta. Memphis remained a major administrative centre, if not always the capital, until it was supplanted by Cairo in the seventh century AD. Its original Egyptian name was Ineb Hedj (The White Walls), while the name "Memphis" was a Greek deformation of the Egyptian name of Pepi I's (Six Dynasty) pyramid, Men-nefer.

2686 - 2668 BC

Sanakhte / Nebka (Mesochris)

Egyptian (Greek) versions of same name.

2668 - 2649 BC

Zoser (Djoser)

Heralded the age of pyramids.

c.2650 BC

The first Egyptian stepped pyramid (the 62 metre high stone stepped Pyramid of Zoser) is built at the Saqqara necropolis opposite Memphis.

2649 - 2643 BC

Sekhemkhet

2643 - 2637 BC

Khaba

2637 - 2613 BC

Huni

2613 - 2498 BC

FOURTH (MEMPHITE) DYNASTY
2900 - 2750 BC

The fourth dynasty saw the flowering of pyramid construction. Central administration continued to be based at Memphis. Trading links were established with the Canaanite trading city of Byblos (if they hadn't already been established as early as 3000 BC).

2613 - 2589 BC

c.2920 BC

Sneferu (Snefru)

2589? BC

Son? Mentioned by inference: Khufu is "third to rule".

2589 - 2566 BC

2900 - 2877 BC

Khufu (Cheops)

Brother? One of the earliest great pharaohs.

c.2550 BC

Construction of the 147 metre high Great Pyramid of Khufu is completed at Giza.

At this time the desiccation of the Sahara region is increasing.

2566 - 2558 BC

Dedefrę / Djedefra (Radjedef)

Son.

2558 - 2532 BC

Khafrę (Chephren)

Son of Snefru. Built 2nd Great Pyramid.

Bikheris

Mentioned by the historian Manetho.

2532 - 2503 BC

2800 BC

Menkure (Mycerinus)

Built 3rd (Lesser) Great Pyramid.

c.2500 BC

Egyptians begin to move into Nubia, importing their culture and setting up trading centres.

2503 - 2498 BC

Shepseskaf

Built 3rd (Lesser) Great Pyramid.

Thampthis

Mentioned by the historian Manetho.

2498 - 2345 BC

FIFTH (MEMPHITE) DYNASTY
2750 - 2625 BC

The circumstances behind the founding of this dynasty seem to be completely unknown at present, but considering Userkaf's grandfather, he was probably from a secondary line of the pharaonic royal family. Userkaf started the tradition of building sun temples at Abu Sir, just south of Cairo.

2498 - 2491 BC

Userkaf / Shepseskaf (Weserkef)

Grandson of Khafrę.

2491 - 2477 BC

Sahure

Probable son.

2477 - 2467 BC

Nefererkere Kakai

Probable brother.

2467 - 2460 BC

Shepseskare Isi

2460 - 2453 BC

Neferefre

2453 - 2422 BC

Nyuserre Ini

2422 - 2414 BC

Menkauhor Kaiu

2414 - 2375 BC

Djedkare Isesi

2400 BC

Royal power is in decline and the size of the pyramids decreases accordingly. Regional governors have become so powerful that they treat their provinces as petty kingdoms, and are buried in impressive rock-cut tombs at provincial centres up and down the Nile Valley.

2375 - 2345 BC

Unas

2345 - 2181 BC

SIXTH (MEMPHITE) DYNASTY
2625 - 2475 BC

This dynasty was founded by Teti, who married Iput, commonly believed to be the daughter of Unas of the fifth dynasty. Under it, there was trade with the relatively newly-established city states of Syria, including Ebla. Towards its end the dynasty descended into uncertainty and decline, as natural disaster combined with social disorder to end the Old Kingdom Period in Egypt.

2345 - 2333 BC

Teti

2333 - 2332 BC

Userkere (Weserkere)

2332 - 2283 BC

2590 - 2570 BC

Pheops (Pepi) I Merire

2283 - 2278 BC

Merenre Nemtyemsaf I

2278 - 2184 BC

2566 - ?        BC

Pheops (Pepi) II Neferkere

Son of Pepi I. Possibly reigned while the next 4 ruled.

2200 - 2199 BC

Neferka

Child. Co-regent.

2197 - 2193 BC

Nefer

Reigned for 2 years, 1 month and a day.

2193 - 2176 BC

Aba

Highly unlikely.

Unknown and uncertain pharaoh.

2184 BC

Merenre Nemtyemsaf II

Uncertain pharaoh.

2184 - 2181 BC

Nitiqret

Uncertain queen.

First Intermediate Period

The First Intermediate Period was Egypt's Dark Age, heralding a period of disunity and relative cultural decline. The Old Kingdom rapidly collapsed after the death of Pheops II. He had reigned for 94 years, longer than any monarch in history, and died aged a hundred, and the latter years of his reign were marked by inefficiency due to his advanced age. The Union of the Two Kingdoms fell apart and regional leaders had to cope with the resulting famine. In fact, there seems to have been a general climate-induced collapse around this time in the Middle East, as Sumerian cities were also affected in the twenty-second century BC.

2181 - 2160 BC

SEVENTH AND EIGHTH (MEMPHITE) DYNASTIES
2475 - 2445 BC

A time of confusion and collapse, records are sparse and details unclear. The Nile floods, always erratic, now proved to be consistently low, causing drought and turmoil. Half a century of disastrous famine caused organised society to fall apart and there followed a period in which provincial officials engaged in power struggles and twenty short-lived pharaohs ruled in a state of feudal strife that lasted for a century. (This table is based on the Abydos Table from the Temple of Seti I and is not conclusive.)

Neferkara I

Neferkara Nebi

Djedkara Shemai

Neferkara Khendu

Merenhor

Not accepted by all authorities.

Neferkamin Seneferka

Nikara

Neferkara Tereru

Neferkahor

Neferkara Pepyseneb

Neferkamin Anu

Qakare Ibi

Neferkara II

Neferkawhor Khuwihap

Neferirkara

2160 - 2130 BC

NINTH (HERACLEOPOLITAN) DYNASTY
2445 - 2415 BC

In around 2160 BC, a new line of pharaohs tried to reunite Lower Egypt from their capital at Herakleopolis Magna, the twentieth nome (province) of Egypt. A rival line based at Thebes was reuniting Upper Egypt and a clash between the two rival dynasties was inevitable.

2160 -          BC

2445 - ?        BC

Meryibre Khety (Achthoes I)

Nomarch (provincial ruler). Founded the dynasty.

Meribre Khety II

Neferkare III

Nebkaure (Acthoes II)

Setut

Wakhare Khety I / Achthoës

Merykare

Wankhare Khety II

Menethoupe I

Wankhare Khety III

Khety II

Daughter.

- 2130 BC

Merikare's daughter.

2130 - 2040 BC

TENTH (HERACLEOPOLITAN) DYNASTIES
2415 - 2160 BC

The Tenth Dynasty continued at Herakleopolis Magna, while Egypt remained fragmented. Only four names are known here, although there is the possibility that more actually reigned. The rulers of Thebes quickly became major rivals for power.

2130 -          BC

Meryhathor

Neferkare IV

Wankare (Acthoes III)

- 2040 BC

Merykare

Middle Kingdom

The Middle Kingdom can be noted for the expansion of trade outside of the kingdom that occurred during this time, including maintaining a presence along the Mediterranean coast, in cities such as Byblos and Carchemish. This opening of trade eventually led to the downfall of the Middle Kingdom, induced by an invasion by the Hyksos.

2040 - 1991 BC

ELEVENTH (THEBAN) DYNASTY
2160 - 1991 BC

The Eleventh Dynasty was based at Thebes (the Greek version of the Egyptian word niwt-rst, 'Southern City') and began as a rival to the Heracleopolitian Tenth Dynasty. In around 2055 BC, Mentuhotep II defeated the Herakleopolitan pharaohs, reunited the Two Lands, founded the Eleventh Dynasty and ruled as Mentuhotep II, the first pharaoh of the Middle Kingdom.

2134 -          BC

Mentuhotep I

Founded the dynasty in Thebes.

? - 2118 BC

Sehertawy Intef I (the Great)

Son of Iku. Nomarch of Thebes.

2118 - 2069 BC

Wahankh Intef II

Claimed to rule over all Egypt.

Intef II is the first of the dynasty to claim to rule over the whole of Egypt, which brings the Thebans into conflict with the rulers of Herakleopolis Magna. Intef undertakes several campaigns northwards, and captures the important nome (province) of Abydos.

2069 - 2061 BC

Nakhtnebtepnefer Intef III

2061 - 2010 BC

Nebheteprac Mentuhotep II

Reunited Egypt.

The reunification of Egypt is effected under Mentuhotep II. Nubia is occupied as far as the Second Cataract.

2010 - 1998 BC

Sankhkara Mentuhotep III

1998 - 1991 BC

Nebtawyra Mentuhotep IV

Died mysteriously.

1991 - 1802 BC

TWELFTH (THEBAN) DYNASTY
1991 - 1788 BC

The reign of the last king of the Eleventh Dynasty is something of a mystery. Contemporary records refer to "seven empty years" following the death of Mentuhotep III, which correspond to the reign of Nebtawyra Mentuhotep IV. Modern scholars identify his vizier, Amenemhat, with Amenemhat I as part of a theory that Amenemhat became king as part of a palace coup.

The dynasty founded a new capital at El-Lisht. Middle Kingdom rulers were buried in desert-edged pyramids nearby.

1991 - 1962 BC

1991 - 1970 BC

Amenemhet I (Ammenemes)

Vizier of the previous pharaoh.

1971 - 1926 BC

1970 - 1938 BC

Senusret I (Sesostris)

Son.

1926 - 1895 BC

1938 - 1903 BC

Amenemhet II

Son.

1897 - 1878 BC

1903 - 1887 BC

Senusret II

Son.

1878 - 1860 BC

1887 - 1849 BC

Senusret III

Son. Most powerful of the Middle Kingdom pharaohs.

1860 - 1815 BC

1849 - 1801 BC

Amenemhet III (Moarith)

Son.

c.1800 BC

The horse is introduced into Egypt.

1815 - 1807 BC

1801 - 1792 BC

Amenemhet IV

Son. Had a co-regency for one year.

1807 - 1803 BC

1792 - 1788 BC

Sebeknefrure (Nefrusobek)

Queen. Applauded as a national heroine.

1803 BC

1788 BC

The Middle Kingdom falls.

Second Intermediate Period

The Second Intermediate Period is best known as the point at which the Hyksos made their appearance in Egypt, whose reign comprised the Fifteenth and Sixteenth Dynasties. Seventy pharaohs ruled in a disrupted Egypt during this period, and for much of that time, they paid homage to the Hyksos.

1803 - 1700 BC

THIRTEENTH (THEBAN) DYNASTY
1788 - ? BC

In later texts, this period is usually described as one of chaos and disorder. However, the period may have been more peaceful than was once thought since the central government in Itj-tawy near the Faiyum was sustained during most of the dynasty and the country remained relatively stable. However, the pharaohs were unable to prevent a break-away dynasty forming in the north.

Unfortunately it is difficult to ascertain an accurate chronology for this as there are few monuments dating from the period. Many of the kings' names are only known from an odd fragmentary inscription or from scarabs.

1803 - 1799 BC

Wegaf Khutawyre

Sekhemre

Brother.

1795 - 1792 BC

Ameny Intef IV (Amenemhet V) Sankhibre

? - 1790 BC

Sehetepre

Iufni

Seankhibre

Semenkare

Sewadjkare

Nedjem

Reigned for 7 months.

Sobekhotep I

c.1775 BC

Renseneb

Reigned for 4 months.

c.1775? BC

Hor Auyibre I

Sedjefakare

Reigned for 5-7 years. A well-attested ruler.

c.1767 BC

Sobekhotep II (Amenmehet VI) Sekhemre Khutawy

c.1765 BC

Khendjer Userkare

Reigned at least 4 years and 3 months.

Imyremeshaw

Antef V

c.1755 BC

Sobekhotep III Sekhemre Sewadjtawy

Reigned for 4 years and 2 months.

1751 - 1740 BC

Neferhotep I Khasekhemre

Reigned for 11 years.

1740 - 1730 BC

Sobekhotep IV Khaneferre

Reigned for 10 or 11 years.

1720 BC

The Hyksos make their first appearance during the reign of Sobekhotep IV, and around now they take control of the town of Avaris (the modern Tell ed-Dab'a / Khata'na).

c.1730 BC

Sobekhotep V

c.1725 - 1714 BC

Wahibre Ibiau

Reigned 10 years and 8 months.

c.1714 - 1691 BC

Ay Merneferre

Reigned 23 years and 8 months.

Merhetepre Ini

Reigned 2 years and 2 months.

Neferhotep II Sekhemre Sankhtawy

Precise dates unknown.

Mersekhemre Ined

Sewadjkare Hori

The position of the following kings is uncertain.

c.1654

Dudimose I

The Hyksos, led by Salitis, the founder of the Fifteenth Dynasty, overrun Egypt during the reign of Dudimose I.

Dudimose II

Senebmiu

Mentuhotep V

Senaayeb

c.1705 - 1690 BC

FOURTEENTH DYNASTY

The provincial ruling family in Xois (Avaris), located in the marshes of the western Delta, broke away from the central authority to form the Fourteenth Dynasty. As a result, some dates overlap with those of the preceding dynasty. The Turin King List provides an additional 25 names, some fragmentary, and no dates. None are confirmed elsewhere, and all are of very dubious provenance. The dynasty was a very-short-lived one, being swiftly conquered by the Hyksos.

c.1705 BC

Nehesy

Khakherewre

c.1704 BC

Nebefawre

Sehebre

c.1699 BC

Merdjefare

Sewadjkare

c.1694 BC

Nebdjefare

Webenre

?

Unknown pharaoh.

--djefare

c.1690 BC

--webenre

c.1705 - 1690 BC

FIFTEENTH (HYKSOS/SHEPHERD KINGS) DYNASTY
c.1650 - 1580 BC

The Hyksos, Semitic sea peoples who based themselves at the Nile Delta, made their capital at Avaris, the captured Fourteenth Dynasty capital. They ruled Lower Egypt directly, and exacted tribute from Upper Egypt, treating it as a subject satellite state.

It is possible that the Hyksos were driven to invade Egypt by the same famine in the Middle East that caused the Israelites to migrate towards Egypt. The Hurrians were also campaigning deep to Syria and the Levant and may have pushed refugees southwards. At the same time as Memphis fell to the Hyksos, the native Thebans set up the rival Seventeenth Dynasty which fought to free Egypt.

c.1705 - 1685 BC

Salitis

Reigned for 20 years.

Sakir-Har

Named as an early king but position uncertain.

c.1674 - 1671 BC

Sheshi

Reigned for either 3 or 1 years.

Yakubher

c.1620 BC

Khyan

Reigned 30-40 years.

c.1580 - 1540 BC

Apepi I

c.1550 - 1540 BC

Apepi II?

May be the same man as Apepi I.

c.1540 - 1534 BC

Khamudi

Obscure.

c.1663 - 1555 BC

SIXTEENTH (THEBAN) DYNASTY
c.1663 - 1555 BC

This Theban dynasty was a local group based on the north coast of the Sinai (Pelusium), and cover a period of time when Egypt was split into a set of small Hyksos-ruled kingdoms. The rulers were contemporary with the Fifteenth Dynasty.

They are known mainly from their entries in the Turin King List, and are mostly unknown elsewhere. Dates and in some cases, order of reign, are also unknown. It s unclear how the names listed in plum fit in with the rest of the list, except that all but the last reigned before Bebankh, as he is mentioned in both lists.

Anat-her

User-anat

Semqen

Djehuty (Sekhemresementawy)

Reigned for 3 years. May be the same as Semqen.

Zaket

Wasa

Qar

Pepi III

Sobekhotep VIII (Sekhemresewosertawy)

Reigned for 16 years.

Neferhotep III (Sekhemresankhtawy)

Reigned for 1 year.

Mentuhotepi (Sankhenra)

Reigned for 1 year.

Nebiryraw I (Sewadjenra)

Reigned for 26 years.

Nebiryraw II

Reigned for 3 months?

? (Semenra)

Reigned before Bebankh for 1 year?

Bebankh / Bebiankh (Sewoserenra)

Reigned for 12 years.

? (Sekhemreshedwaset)

Reigned after Bebankh for 3 months?

Nebmaatre

Nikare II

Aahotepre

Nubankhre

Nubuserre

Khauserre

Khamure

Jacob-Baal

Yakbam/Sekkhaenre?

Yakbam is an Amorite name.

Yoam

Amu

1650 - 1550 BC

SEVENTEENTH (THEBAN) DYNASTY
1680 - 1580 BC

At around the time Memphis fell to the Hyksos, the native Egyptian ruling house in Thebes declared its independence and set itself up as the Seventeenth Dynasty. This dynasty eventually drove the Hyksos out of Egypt. The last two pharaohs of the dynasty opposed the Hyksos rule over Egypt and initiated a war that would rid Egypt of the Hyksos kings and began a period of unified rule which is known as the New Kingdom.

Rahotep Sekhemrewahkhaw

Intef V the Elder

Reigned for 3 years.

Sobekemsaf I Sekhemreshedtawy

Antef VI Sekhemrewepmaat

Antef VII Nebkheperre

Intef VIII Sekhemreherhermaat

Sobekemsaf II Sekhemrewadjkhaw

Reigned for 7 years.

Thuty

Reigned for 1 year.

Mentuhotep VI

Reigned for 1 year.

Nebiryerawet I

Reigned for 6 years.

Nebiryerawet II

Semenmedjatre

Seuserenre

Reigned for 12 years.

Shedwast

Intef VII

1559 - 1558 BC

Tao I the Elder Senakhtenre

Reigned for 1 year.

1558 - 1554 BC

Tao II the Brave Seqenenre

Reigned for 4 years.

1554 - 1549 BC

Kamose

Second son. Reigned for 5 years.

fl 1580 BC

Apophis of Avaris

Position unclear, but reigned at end of the dynasty.

1580 BC

Egypt is freed from Hyksos rule by Kamose. Nubia is regained.

New Kingdom

With the Hyksos thrown out of Egypt and the country reunited under native rule, the Seventeenth Dynasty pharaohs formed the Eighteenth Dynasty. Possibly as a result of the foreign rule of the Hyksos during the Second Intermediate Period, the New Kingdom saw Egypt attempt to create a buffer between the Levant and Egypt through military dominance abroad, creating Egypt's greatest territorial gains. It expanded far into Nubia in the south, and held wide territories in the Near East. Egyptian armies fought against Hittite armies for control of modern-day Syria.

1550 - 1292 BC

EIGHTEENTH (DIOSPOLITE) DYNASTY
1580 - 1315 BC

The Eighteenth Dynasty had its capital at Thebes, although much of the administration probably remained at Memphis. The dynasty contained some of Egypt's most famous pharaohs including Ahmose I, Hapshepsut, Thutmose III, Amenhotep III, Akhenaten and Tutankhamun. Queen Hatshepsut concentrated on expanding Egypt's external trade, sending a commercial expedition to the land of Punt. Thutmose III ('the Napoleon of Egypt') expanded Egypt's army and wielded it with great success, militarising the eastern border and ensuring Egypt was properly defended.

1550 - 1525 BC

1580 - 1557 BC

Amasis (Ahmosi I)

Son of Kamose.

New Kingdom pharaohs begin the practice of burial in rock-cut tombs in the Valley of the Kings.

1525 - 1504 BC

1557 - 1540 BC

Amenhotep I

Son.

1504 - 1492 BC

1540 - 1505 BC

Tuthmosis I (Thotmes)

Son. Re-conquered Nubia.

c.1500 BC

With the resurgence in Egyptian power, attention is turned again towards Nubia, where locals had created their own state or states during the Egyptian Intermediate Period. These are defeated and Egypt resumes control of Nubia.

1492 - 1479 BC

1505 - 1501 BC

Tuthmosis II (Thotmes)

Son. Died aged 24.

1479 - 1458 BC

1501 - 1479 BC

Hatshepsut

Regent and Queen. Reasons for death unknown.

1477 BC

1503 BC

Hatshepsut, the daughter of Tuthmosis I and half-sister and wife of Tuthmosis II,  acts as regent to the infant Tuthmosis III for the first two years of her reign. He is the son of Tuthmosis II and a junior wife who was unsuitable to act as regent. In 1503 Hatshepsut declares herself pharaoh and reigns for 22 years in a 'Gloriana' reign equivalent to that of Elizabeth I's of England.

1479 - 1425 BC

1501 - 1447 BC

Tuthmosis III (Thotmes)

Built first Egyptian Empire.

1478 BC

Tuthmosis begins to extend Egypt's influence in the Middle East by conquering Palestine, and Canaan and entering into Syria on the southern borders of Mitanni.

1473 BC

Deir el-Medina is founded as a village of craftsmen responsible for Egyptian royal tombs.

1458 BC

1479 BC

Tuthmosis III gains the throne and immediately sets about removing any evidence of his stepmother's reign, bricking over her obelisks in the Luxor Temple and ordering images of her and cartouches bearing her name to be chiselled off walls.

c.1400's BC

Egypt is expanded to the Euphrates and the Fourth Cataract of the Nile.

1453 BC

Tuthmosis defeats Mitanni at the battle of Megiddo. Cyprus is also brought under Egyptian control. Egypt's territories in the Levant and Syria reach up to Amurru and include Canaan.

1425 - 1400 BC

1447 - 1420 BC

Amenhotep II

Son.

1400 - 1388 BC

1420 - 1411 BC

Tuthmosis (Thotmes) IV

Son. Marries daughter of the Mitanni king.

1388 - 1352 BC

1411 - 1375 BC

Amenhotep III

Son. Nicknamed "the debauched".

c.1385 BC

Amenhotep first marries the daughter of the Mitanni king Shuttarna II and later marries the daughter of a successor, Tushratta.

1352 - 1334 BC

1375 - 1358 BC

Amenhotep IV / Akhenaten

Son.

1371 BC

Akhenaten institutes monotheism in the fourth year of his reign and the following year he founds a new capital at Amarna.

During his period of rule from there the Amarna letters are written - diplomatic correspondence with Assur-Uballit I of Assyria, the Kassite rulers of Babylonia, plus Mitanni, the Hittites, Alashiya, Arzawa, and the city states of Syria and Canaan - which includes descriptions of the disruptive activities of the "habiru".

1352 - 1339 BC

1375 - 1361 BC

Nefertiti

Wife & Co-regent.

1334 - 1333 BC

1358 - 1357 BC

Smenkhare (Sakere)

Son-in-law of Akhenaten (or Nefertiti renamed?).

1333 - 1324 BC

1357 - 1352 BC

Tutankhamun

Probable son of Akhenaten.

The eight year-old Tutankhamun's accession is probably handled by Ai, the priest and master of horse for Akhenaten. To ensure that no outside interests gain a foothold in what is now his power base, he chooses the boy pharaoh's elder sister to be the queen.

1324 - 1320 BC

1351 - 1350 BC

Ankhesenamen / Kheperkheprure

Wife of Tutankhamun. Also known as Eje.

1320 - 1316 BC

1350 - 1346 BC

Ai

Regent to Tutankhamun & Ankhesenamen?

1316 - 1292 BC

1346 - 1315 BC

Horemheb

Former C-in-C of Army (this is disputed).

1292 - 1186 BC

NIN