Time Table of Ancient Egypt

B.C.

3100

First Dynasty established by Menes (Narmer) by uniting upper and lower Egypt, capitol at Memphis (about 13 miles south of present day Cairo)

3000

Use of hieroglyphs began

2900

Papyrus used for writing

2600

Start of Old Kingdom Period

2160-2040

First Intermediate Period – weak pharaohs and civil war leave Egypt in disarray

2040-1700

Middle Kingdom began – worship of Osiris became more important to the Egyptians

1878-1843

Senusret took away power of nobles strengthening the pharaoh’s position in the society

1640

Hyksos overtook northern part of Egypt

1550

Hyksos was driven out of Egypt

1526-1526

Egypt extended its northern boundary into Syria

1525-1512

Egypt ’s control extended to Fourth Cataract in Nubia and north as far as the Euphrates River.

1503-1482

Hatsehpsut ruled after taking the throne from stepson; sends expedition to Punt for trade.

1353-1335

Akhenaten (Amenhotep IV) reigned over Egypt and changed religion to worship of Aten and moved capital to Akhetaten

1333-1323

Tutankhamun reigned over Egypt and changed religion back to traditional polytheistic religion

525

Persia conquered Egypt

520

canal built to connect Red Sea to Nile River

404

Egypt rebelled against Persia

343

Persia recaptured Egypt

332

Macedonians invaded Egypt under Alexander the Great

310

Ptolemy became Pharaph (Macedonian general under Alexander the Great)

290

library at Alexandria founded

51-30

Cleopatra became ruler of Egypt

31

Cleopatra and Marc Antony defeated at battle of Actum

30

Rome took over Egypt

1799 A.D.

Rosetta Stone discovered by French soldiers

1820’s A.D.

hieroglyphs deciphered by Jean-Francois Champollion

1922 A.D.

Tomb of Tutankhamen discovered mostly intact by Howard Carter