List of Dynasties of Ancient Egypt

Related articles: Egypt Egypt
, Arab. Misr, biblical Mizraim, officially Arab Republic of Egypt, republic (2015 est. pop. 93,778,000), 386,659 sq mi (1,001,449 sq km), NE Africa and SW Asia.
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[Heb., from Egyptian,=the great house], title of the kings of ancient Egypt. Of the pharaohs in the Bible, Shishak is Sheshonk I, Neco or Necoh is Necho, and Hophra is Apries.
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Dynasties of Ancient Egypt
Old Kingdom (or Old Empire)
Dynasty	Years	Famous Rulers
I	3110–2884 B.C.	MenesMenes , fl. 3200 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, of the first dynasty, the first Egyptian ruler for whom there are historical records. According to tradition, he seems to have united the southern and northern kingdoms and to have settled on a new capital, later known as Memphis. ..... Click the link for more information.
II	2884–2780 B.C.
III	2780–2680 B.C.	SnefruSnefru , fl. c.2780 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, last king of the III dynasty; predecessor of Khufu. Snefru began commerce across the open sea with Phoenicia, for the cedar logs of Lebanon, and built ships nearly 170 ft (50 m) long for use on the Nile. ..... Click the link for more information.
IV	2680–2565 B.C.	KhufuKhufu or Cheops , fl. c.2680 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, founder of the IV dynasty. He was king for 23 years and was famous as the builder of the greatest pyramid at Giza. ..... Click the link for more information. (Cheops), KhafreKhafre or Chephren , fl. 2565 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, of the IV dynasty, and builder of the second pyramid at Giza. His face is perhaps that represented on the Great Sphinx. An obscure king, Dedefre, may have come between Khufu and Khafre in the dynasty. ..... Click the link for more information. , MenkaureMenkaure or Mycerinus , fl. 2525? B.C., king of ancient Egypt, of the IV dynasty; successor of Khafre. He built the third pyramid at Giza. ..... Click the link for more information. . Age of the great pyramids.
V	2565–2420 B.C.
VI	2420–2258 B.C.	Pepi IPepi I , fl. c.2300 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, of the VI dynasty. He was responsible for the rise of the official Uni. He was succeeded by his sons Merenre, who reigned for less than decade, and Pepi II. ..... Click the link for more information. , Pepi IIPepi II , d. c.2185 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, of the VI dynasty. His reign (c.2275–c.2185 B.C.) is the longest recorded in history. It was successful because the powerful southern lords at Elephantine organized the Egyptian caravan trade route, which enabled expeditions ..... Click the link for more information.
First Intermediate Period
VII, VIII	2258–2225 B.C.	An obscure period.
IX, X	2225–2134 B.C.	Capital at Heracleopolis.
XI	2134–c.2000 B.C.	Capital at Thebes.
Middle Kingdom (or Middle Empire)
XII	2000–1786 B.C.	Amenemhet IAmenemhet I , d. 1970 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, founder of the XII dynasty. The son of a powerful Theban family, he seized the kingship c.2000 B.C. The XII dynasty ushered in the Middle Kingdom of Egypt; the subsequent dynasty of pharaohs named Amenemhet or Sesostris ..... Click the link for more information. , Sesostris ISesostris I , d. 1926 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, 2d ruler of the XII dynasty; son and successor of Amenemhet I. He was coregent with his father from 1980 B.C.; from 1971 to 1926 he was sole ruler. His reign was notable for successful campaigns in Nubia. ..... Click the link for more information. , Amenemhet IIAmenemhet II , d. 1903 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, of the XII dynasty; son and successor of Sesostris I. He was coregent with his father (1938–1935 B.C.), then sole ruler (1935–1906 B.C.), finally coregent with his son and successor, Sesostris II. ..... Click the link for more information. , Sesostris IISesostris II , d. 1878 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, of the XII dynasty. He was the son of Amenemhet II, first his coregent (1900 B.C.), then his successor (1897–1878). His son Sesostris III succeeded him. d. 1840 B.C., succeeded (1878 B.C.) his father Sesostris II. ..... Click the link for more information. , Sesostris IIISesostris III , d. 1840 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, of the XII dynasty. He succeeded (1878 B.C.) his father Sesostris II. He fixed the southern boundary of Egypt above the Second Cataract of the Nile not far from Wadi Halfa and curbed the power of the Egyptian nobles. ..... Click the link for more information. , Amenemhet IIIAmenemhet III , d. 1801 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, of the XII dynasty. He was the son and successor of Sesostris III, with whom he had been coregent. He extended the irrigation system. Thousands of acres in the Faiyûm were reclaimed. Amenemhet IV, his son, succeeded him. ..... Click the link for more information. , Amenemhet IVAmenemhet IV , d. 1792 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, of the XII dynasty; the son and successor of Amenemhet III. Under Amenemhet IV, the power of the dynasty declined, and his successor, a woman, Sebenekfrure, was last of her family. ..... Click the link for more information.
Second Intermediate Period
XIII–XVII	1786–1570 B.C.	The HyksosHyksos [Egyptian,=rulers of foreign lands], invaders of ancient Egypt, now substantiated as the XV–XVIII dynasties. They were a northwestern Semitic (Canaanite or Amorite) people who entered Egypt sometime between 1720 and 1710 B.C. ..... Click the link for more information. . An obscure period.
New Kingdom (or New Empire)
XVIII	1570–c.1342 B.C.	Amenhotep IAmenhotep I or Amenophis I , fl. 1570 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, of the XVIII dynasty; son and successor of Amasis I. His chief exploits were military. He pushed southward into Nubia and reestablished Egypt's boundary at the Second Cataract of the Nile, as previously ..... Click the link for more information. , Thutmose IThutmose I or Thothmes I , d. 1495 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, third ruler of the XVIII dynasty; successor of Amenhotep I. He became king c.1525. In a great campaign he subjugated the valley of the Nile up to the Third Cataract (below the present Dongola). ..... Click the link for more information. , HatshepsutHatshepsut , d. 1458 B.C., ruler of ancient Egypt, of the XVIII dynasty; eldest daughter of Thutmose I. She managed to rule Egypt by relegating her husband (and younger half-brother), Thutmose II, to the background during his brief reign. ..... Click the link for more information. (with Thutmose IIThutmose II or Thothmes II , reigned c.1495–1490 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, fourth ruler of the XVIII dynasty and the son and successor of Thutmose I. Unlike Hatshepsut, his half-sister whom he married, Thutmose II did not have a royal mother. ..... Click the link for more information. initially), Thutmose IIIThutmose III or Thothmes III , d. 1436 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, of the XVIII dynasty; the successor of Thutmose II. After the death of Thutmose II, his wife Hatshepsut became regent for Thutmose III and relegated him to an inferior position for 22 years while she ..... Click the link for more information. , Amenhotep IIAmenhotep II or Amenophis II , d. c.1420 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, of the XVIII dynasty; son and successor of Thutmose III. Amenhotep II succeeded (1448 B.C.) as coregent and later ruled alone for 26 years. ..... Click the link for more information. , Thutmose IVThutmose IV or Thothmes IV , reigned c.1406–1398 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, of the XVIII dynasty, son and successor of Amenhotep II. He invaded Asia and Nubia, and formed alliances with independent kings neighboring his Syrian tributaries. ..... Click the link for more information. , Amenhotep IIIAmenhotep III or Amenophis III , d. c.1372 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, of the XVIII dynasty. He succeeded his father, Thutmose IV, c.1411 B.C. His reign marks the culmination and the start of the decline of the XVIII dynasty. ..... Click the link for more information. , Amenhotep IV (IkhnatonIkhnaton or Akhenaton [Egyptian,=Aton is satisfied], d. c.1354 B.C., king of ancient Egypt (c.1372–1354 B.C.), of the XVIII dynasty; son and successor of Amenhotep III. His name at his accession was Amenhotep IV, but he changed it to honor the god Aton. ..... Click the link for more information. ), TutankhamenTutankhamen or Tutenkhamon , fl. c.1350 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, of the XVIII dynasty. He was the son-in-law of Ikhnaton and succeeded to the throne after a brief reign by Ikhnaton's successor. ..... Click the link for more information.
XIX	c.1342–1200 B.C.	HoremhebHoremheb or Harmhab , d. c.1303 B.C., king of ancient Egypt (c.1342 B.C.–c.1303 B.C.), founder of the XIX dynasty. A powerful noble under Ikhnaton, he seems to have been an army commander under the successors of that ruler, most notably under Tutankhamen. ..... Click the link for more information. , Ramses IRamses I , Rameses I, or Ramesses I , d. c.1314 B.C., succeeded Horemheb, the true founder of the XIX dynasty. He died after only one year as king. His son and successor was Seti I. ..... Click the link for more information. , Seti ISeti I , d. 1290 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, of the XIX dynasty; son and successor of Ramses I. He succeeded to the throne c.1302 B.C. Invading Palestine and Syria, Seti I reduced them again to tributary status, and defeated the Libyans. ..... Click the link for more information. , Ramses IIRamses II , Rameses II, or Ramesses II , d. 1225 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, of the XIX dynasty. The son of Seti I, Ramses was not the heir to the throne but usurped it from his brother. He reigned for 67 years (1292–1225 B.C.). ..... Click the link for more information. , MerneptahMerneptah , d. c.1215 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, of the XIX dynasty; son and successor of Ramses II. He succeeded (1224 B.C.) to the throne when he was already advanced in years. He quelled a revolt in Syria and repulsed a Libyan invasion of the western delta of the Nile. ..... Click the link for more information. , Seti IISeti II , d. 1205 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, of the XIX dynasty. He was one of the kings who reigned briefly after Merneptah, and seems to have ruled for about four years. After his reign anarchy set in for a few years until the accession of Ramses III. ..... Click the link for more information.
XX	1200–1085 B.C.	Ramses IIIRamses III , Rameses III, or Ramesses III , d. 1167 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, 2d ruler of the XX dynasty. He ended the period of anarchy that followed Merneptah rule and reigned c.1198–1167 B.C. ..... Click the link for more information. with TiyTiy, fl. 1167 B.C., queen of ancient Egypt, wife of Ramses III. To gain the throne for her son, Pentewere, she led a palace conspiracy to displace her aging husband. At the last minute the plot was discovered, and 32 important courtiers were executed for complicity. ..... Click the link for more information. . New Kingdom declines.
XXI	1085–945 B.C.	Tanite dynasty (capital at Tanis).
XXII	945–745 B.C.	Sheshonk ISheshonk I or Shoshenk I , d. c.929 or 924 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, founder of the XXII (Libyan) dynasty. Originally a commander of mercenaries at Heracleopolis, he assumed (c.950 B.C.) royal authority when the weak dynasty at Tanis died out. ..... Click the link for more information. . Libyan dynasty (capital at Bubastis).
XXIII	745–718 B.C.	Nubian dynasty with invasion of PiankhiPiankhi , king of ancient Nubia (c.741–c.715 B.C.). After subduing Upper Egypt, he defeated (c.721 B.C.) Tefnakhte, lord of Saïs, who had just completed the conquest of Lower Egypt. Piankhi was also victorious at Memphis. He returned (c.718 B.C. ..... Click the link for more information. (capital at Bubastis).
XXIV	718–712 B.C.	Saïte dynasty (capital at Saïs).
XXV	712–663 B.C.	TaharkaTaharka or Tirhakah , d. 663 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, last ruler of the XXV dynasty; son of Piankhi. Before he was king, he led the Egyptians against Sennacherib, who disastrously defeated him. Seizing (688 B.C. ..... Click the link for more information. . Assyrian invasions begin foreign domination.
XXVI	663–525 B.C.	PsamtikPsamtik , Lat. Psammetichus, d. 609 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, founder of the XXVI dynasty. When his father, Necho, lord of Saïs under the Assyrians, was defeated and killed (663 B.C. ..... Click the link for more information. , NechoNecho , 609–593 B.C., king of ancient Egypt, 2d ruler of the XXVI dynasty, the son and successor of Psamtik and grandson of Necho, lord of Saïs. Necho took advantage of the confusion that followed the fall of Nineveh (612) to invade Palestine and Syria, both of which ..... Click the link for more information. , ApriesApries , king of ancient Egypt (588–569 B.C.), of the XXVI dynasty; successor of Psamtik II. Apries sought to recover Syria and Palestine. He attacked Tyre and Sidon but failed (586 B.C.) to relieve the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. ..... Click the link for more information. , Amasis IIAmasis II, d. 525 B.C., king of ancient Egypt (569–525 B.C.), of the XXVI dynasty. In a military revolt he dethroned Apries. He erected temples and other buildings at Memphis and Saïs and encouraged Greek merchants and artisans to settle at Naucratis. ..... Click the link for more information. (capital at Saïs).
XXVII	525–405 B.C.	The AchaemenidsAchaemenids , dynasty of ancient Persia. They were descended presumably from one Achaemenes, a minor ruler in a mountainous district of SW Iran. His successors, when Elam declined, spread their power westward. ..... Click the link for more information. of Persia in control. CambysesCambyses , two kings of the Achaemenid dynasty of Persia. Cambyses I was king (c.600 B.C.) of Ansham, ruling as a vassal of Media. According to Herodotus he married the daughter of the Median king Astyages; some scholars dispute this. Cambyses' son was Cyrus the Great. ..... Click the link for more information. II to Darius IIDarius II, d. 404 B.C., king of ancient Persia (423?–404 B.C.); son of Artaxerxes I and a concubine, hence sometimes called Darius Nothus [Darius the bastard]. His rule was not popular or successful, and he spent most of his reign in quelling revolts in Syria, Lydia (413), ..... Click the link for more information. . Egypt revolts.
XXVIII–XXX	405–332 B.C.	NekhtnebfNekhtnebf or Nekhtnebef , Gr. Nectanebo I, d. 361 B.C., king of ancient Egypt (379–361 B.C.), founder of the XXX dynasty. By the gallant defense of the fortresses of the Nile delta and then of Memphis, he saved his country from the Persian invasion of ..... Click the link for more information. , NekhtharhebNekhtharheb , Gr. Nectanebo II, reigned 359–343, king of ancient Egypt, of the XXX dynasty. With the support of Agesilaus II of Sparta, he overthrew Djedhor (or Tachos) while the pharoah was invading Syria. ..... Click the link for more information. . Last native dynasties, ending with conquest by Alexander the GreatAlexander the Great or Alexander III, 356–323 B.C., king of Macedon, conqueror of much of Asia. Youth and Kingship The son of Philip II of Macedon and Olympias, he had Aristotle as his tutor and was given a classical education. ..... Click the link for more information. . Capital at Saïs, then at Mendes, then at Sebennytos.