Ancient Egypt: The 30 Dynasties

The definitive chronological encyclopedia of Pharaohs, ruling families, and key historical events from 3100 BC to 332 BC.

Early Dynastic Period

c. 3100 – 2686 BC

The unification of Upper and Lower Egypt. This era established the capital at Memphis and laid the foundations of Egyptian society, art, and writing.

1st Dynasty

c. 3100 – 2890 BC | Capital: Thinis/Memphis
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PharaohDatesNotesDetails
Narmer (Menes)c. 3100 BCUnifier of Egypt; Narmer Palette.Read More
Hor-Ahac. 3050 BCFounded Memphis.Read More
Djerc. 3000 BCTrade expansion.Read More
Denc. 2950 BCFirst to use title "King of Upper and Lower Egypt".Read More

2nd Dynasty

c. 2890 – 2686 BC | Capital: Thinis
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PharaohDatesNotesDetails
Hotepsekhemwy38 years"The two powers are at peace".Read More
Khasekhemwyc. 2690 BCLast king of Early Dynastic Period; father of Djoser.Read More

The Old Kingdom

c. 2686 – 2181 BC

The "Age of Pyramids". Centralized power reached its peak, enabling the construction of massive stone monuments like the Step Pyramid and the Giza complex.

3rd Dynasty

c. 2686 – 2613 BC | Capital: Memphis
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PharaohDatesNotesDetails
Djoserc. 2667 – 2648 BCBuilt the Step Pyramid at Saqqara (Architect Imhotep).Read More
Sekhemkhet2648 – 2640 BCBuried Pyramid.Read More
Huni2637 – 2613 BCBuilt fortress at Elephantine.Read More

4th Dynasty (The Pyramid Builders)

c. 2613 – 2494 BC | Capital: Memphis
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PharaohDatesNotesDetails
Sneferu2613 – 2589 BCBuilt 3 pyramids (Meidum, Bent, Red).Read More
Khufu (Cheops)2589 – 2566 BCBuilder of the Great Pyramid of Giza.Read More
Djedefre2566 – 2558 BCFirst to use title "Son of Ra".Read More
Khafre (Chephren)2558 – 2532 BCBuilt the second Giza pyramid and the Sphinx.Read More
Menkaure (Mykerinos)2532 – 2503 BCBuilt the third (smallest) Giza pyramid.Read More
Shepseskaf2503 – 2498 BCBuilt a Mastaba instead of a pyramid.Read More

5th Dynasty

c. 2494 – 2345 BC | Capital: Memphis
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PharaohDatesNotesDetails
Userkaf2494 – 2487 BCBuilt the first Solar Temple.Read More
Sahure2487 – 2475 BCFirst naval expedition to Punt.Read More
Unas2375 – 2345 BCFirst to inscribe Pyramid Texts in his tomb.Read More

6th Dynasty

c. 2345 – 2181 BC | Capital: Memphis
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PharaohDatesNotesDetails
Teti2345 – 2323 BCAssassinated by bodyguards.Read More
Pepi I2321 – 2287 BCAggressive expansion into Nubia.Read More
Pepi II2278 – 2184 BCLongest reign in history (approx 94 years).Read More

First Intermediate Period

c. 2181 – 2055 BC

A period of political fragmentation and civil war following the collapse of the Old Kingdom. Power was divided between Memphis/Heracleopolis in the north and Thebes in the south.

7th & 8th Dynasties

c. 2181 – 2160 BC | Capital: Memphis
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PharaohDatesNotesDetails
Netjerkare Siptahc. 2181 BCPossibly the last king of the 6th or first of 7th.Read More
Qakare Ibic. 2170 BCOnly king of this period with a known small pyramid at Saqqara.Read More

9th & 10th Dynasties (Heracleopolitan)

c. 2160 – 2040 BC | Capital: Heracleopolis
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PharaohDatesNotesDetails
Meryibre Khetyc. 2160 BCFounder of the 9th Dynasty; "The House of Khety".Read More
Meryikarec. 2075 BCFamous for the literary work "Instructions for King Meryikare".Read More

The Middle Kingdom

c. 2055 – 1650 BC

Following the chaos of the First Intermediate Period, Thebes emerged as a power center. This era is known as Egypt's "Classical Age" of art and literature.

11th Dynasty (Reunification)

c. 2125 – 1985 BC | Capital: Thebes
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PharaohDatesNotesDetails
Intef I, II, III2125 – 2055 BCRulers of Thebes during civil war.Read More
Mentuhotep II2055 – 2004 BCReunited Egypt; First King of Middle Kingdom.Read More
Mentuhotep III2004 – 1992 BCExpedition to Punt.Read More

12th Dynasty (Golden Age)

c. 1985 – 1773 BC | Capital: Itjtawy
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PharaohDatesNotesDetails
Amenemhat I1985 – 1956 BCMoved capital to Itjtawy (near Faiyum).Read More
Senusret I1956 – 1911 BCBuilt the White Chapel at Karnak.Read More
Senusret III1870 – 1831 BCWarrior king; expanded into Nubia.Read More
Amenemhat III1831 – 1786 BCPeak of economic prosperity; Labyrinth.Read More
Sobekneferu1785 – 1782 BCFirst confirmed female Pharaoh.Read More

Second Intermediate Period

c. 1650 – 1550 BC

A time of division when the Hyksos (foreign rulers from Asia) controlled the Delta (Lower Egypt) while native Egyptian kings ruled from Thebes.

13th & 14th Dynasties

c. 1803 – 1650 BC | Capital: Itjtawy / Avaris
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PharaohDatesNotesDetails
Sobekhotep IVc. 1730 BCOne of the most powerful kings of the 13th Dynasty.Read More
Neferhotep Ic. 1740 BCRuled for 11 years; relatively stable period.Read More

15th Dynasty (Hyksos) & 16th Dynasty

c. 1650 – 1550 BC | Capital: Avaris
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PharaohDatesNotesDetails
Apepi (Apophis)c. 1575 – 1540 BCMost famous Hyksos ruler; conflicted with Thebes.Read More
Khyanc. 1610 BCHyksos king known for wide trade connections.Read More

17th Dynasty (Theban)

c. 1580 – 1550 BC | Capital: Thebes
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PharaohDatesNotesDetails
Seqenenre Taoc. 1560 BC"The Brave"; died in battle against Hyksos.Read More
Kamosec. 1555 – 1550 BCLast king of 17th Dynasty; began final war of liberation.Read More

The New Kingdom

c. 1550 – 1069 BC

The Age of Empire. Egypt expelled the Hyksos invaders and expanded its borders to the Euphrates in the north and Sudan in the south.

18th Dynasty (Thutmosid Line)

c. 1550 – 1292 BC | Capital: Thebes/Akhetaten
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PharaohDatesNotesDetails
Ahmose I1550 – 1525 BCExpelled the Hyksos; founder of New Kingdom.Read More
Amenhotep I1525 – 1504 BCPatron god of Deir el-Medina workers.Read More
Hatshepsut1473 – 1458 BCFamous female Pharaoh; Deir el-Bahari.Read More
Thutmose III1479 – 1425 BC"Napoleon of Egypt"; greatest expansion.Read More
Amenhotep III1390 – 1352 BCPeak of artistic splendor; Colossi of Memnon.Read More
Akhenaten1352 – 1336 BCThe Heretic King; Atenism.Read More
Tutankhamun1332 – 1323 BCThe Boy King; famous intact tomb.Read More
Horemheb1320 – 1292 BCGeneral who restored order.Read More

19th Dynasty (Ramesside Period)

c. 1292 – 1189 BC | Capital: Pi-Ramesses
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PharaohDatesNotesDetails
Ramesses I1292 – 1290 BCFounder of the dynasty.Read More
Seti I1290 – 1279 BCBuilt the Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak.Read More
Ramesses II (The Great)1279 – 1213 BCRuled 66 years; Battle of Kadesh.Read More
Merneptah1213 – 1203 BCDefeated the Sea Peoples; Israel Stela.Read More

20th Dynasty

c. 1189 – 1077 BC | Capital: Pi-Ramesses
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PharaohDatesNotesDetails
Ramesses III1186 – 1155 BCLast great pharaoh; repelled Sea Peoples.Read More
Ramesses IV - XI1155 – 1077 BCShort reigns; decline of royal power.Read More

Third Intermediate Period

c. 1069 – 664 BC

A fractured era where High Priests ruled at Thebes and Kings ruled at Tanis, followed by the rise of Libyan and Nubian (Kushite) dynasties.

21st Dynasty (Tanite)

c. 1069 – 945 BC | Capital: Tanis
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PharaohDatesNotesDetails
Smendesc. 1069 – 1043 BCFounded the dynasty at Tanis.Read More
Psusennes Ic. 1039 – 991 BCFamous for his intact silver coffin (The Silver Pharaoh).Read More

22nd, 23rd & 24th Dynasties (Libyan)

c. 945 – 715 BC | Capital: Tanis / Bubastis / Sais
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PharaohDatesNotesDetails
Shoshenq Ic. 943 – 922 BCBiblical Shishak; invaded Judah.Read More
Osorkon IIc. 872 – 837 BCBuilt a massive hall at Bubastis.Read More
Bocchoris (Bakenrenef)c. 725 – 720 BC24th Dynasty; famous wise judge.Read More

25th Dynasty (The Kushite/Nubian Pharaohs)

c. 747 – 656 BC | Capital: Napata / Memphis
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PharaohDatesNotesDetails
Piyec. 747 – 716 BCConquered Egypt from the south.Read More
Taharqac. 690 – 664 BCFought against the Assyrians; great builder.Read More

Late Period

c. 664 – 332 BC

The last flowering of native Egyptian rule (Dynasties 26-30) before the final Persian conquest and the arrival of Alexander the Great.

26th Dynasty (Saite Period)

c. 664 – 525 BC | Capital: Sais
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PharaohDatesNotesDetails
Psamtik I664 – 610 BCExpelled Assyrians; reunified Egypt.Read More
Necho II610 – 595 BCAttempted to build Nile-Red Sea canal.Read More
Apries589 – 570 BCOverthrown by Amasis II.Read More
Amasis II570 – 526 BCProsperous reign; close ties with Greece.Read More

27th (Persian), 28th & 29th Dynasties

c. 525 – 380 BC | Capital: Susa / Sais / Mendes
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PharaohDatesNotesDetails
Cambyses II525 – 522 BCPersian King who conquered Egypt (27th Dyn).Read More
Darius I522 – 486 BCBuilt a canal connecting Nile to Red Sea.Read More
Amyrtaeus404 – 399 BCSole king of 28th Dyn; expelled Persians.Read More
Hakor393 – 380 BCMajor builder of the 29th Dynasty.Read More

30th Dynasty (Last Native Dynasty)

c. 380 – 343 BC | Capital: Sebennytos
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PharaohDatesNotesDetails
Nectanebo I380 – 362 BCMassive building programs.Read More
Teos362 – 360 BCLed campaign against Persians.Read More
Nectanebo II360 – 343 BCLast native Egyptian pharaoh.Read More

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