Egyptian
Government
 |
The pharaoh was the supreme ruler
of Ancient Egypt. The people of Egypt considered the pharaoh to be a half-man, half-god.
The pharaoh owned all of Egypt. He owned all animals, mines, people, and even the Nile
River. The citizens gave the pharaoh portions of their crops in taxes. Workers donated
their labor, and artists created art for the pharaoh. This made the pharaoh an extremely
wealthy person. The government built storehouses to hold grain that was given as tax
payment. During times of severe draught the pharaoh would give some of this grain to the
hungry Egyptians. |
The pharaoh was
usually succeeded by his oldest son. The son was trained throughout his life to take over
the role of pharaoh after his father's death. Sometimes rivalries and secret plots caused
a change in this succession. Egypt had thirty royal dynasties ruling for more than three
thousand years due to this.
The pharaoh chose one or two
viziers, or prime ministers, to help him. The pharaoh's most important role was to serve
as a lawmaker and warrior. The pharaoh had thousands of government workers to help
him. They made sure the laws were carried out. They kept records of crops. The government
also trained troops and carried on wars. Soldiers, policemen, and custom officers kept
track of who came in and out of the country. They used trained dogs to capture thieves,
runaway slaves, or people trying to leave the county without paying taxes.
Crowns of Egypt from
Dendera
Photo
courtesy and ©1996 Richard Deurer, Ancient Gallery Directory
Used with permission. |
Pharaoh's wore fake beards and
tails. The false beards were usually blue. No one knows why the pharaoh wore the beard.
The tail was to remind the people that the pharaoh had magical powers, animal powers. The
pharaoh also carried a shepherd's staff and a flail or whip. The staff represented a
shepherd's protection and the flail reminded the Egyptians that they'd better do what the
king wanted. The pharaoh never let his hair be seen. He wore a crown for ceremonies and a
headdress called a nemes for everyday life. |
Below you will find
a complete list of the pharaohs that ruled Egypt. Some of the more famous ones are linked
to an explanation clarifying their accomplishments.
~~~~~~~~~~~~EARLY
DYNASTIC PERIOD~~~~~~~~~~~~
Historians know little about the pharaohs that lived during this time. Only through
the monuments do we know that they existed.
| 1st
Dynasty (2920 - 2770) During this time the capital at Memphis was founded. Papyrus
was invented. Writing was used by the government. Many impressive artifacts have been
found from this period. |
| Menes (Aha) |
|
| Iti (Neithhotep) |
|
| Djer |
|
| Wadj |
|
| Den (Udimu) |
|
| Anendjib |
|
| Semerkhet |
|
| Kaa |
|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| 2nd
Dynasty (2770 - 2650) After much rivalry for the throne Hetepsekhemsy won. At this
time the kings disagreed over which god, Horus and Seth, was in power. This was finally
settled when Khasekhemwy became ruler. He took both titles. Disorder erupted during the
end of this dynasty. There could have been a civil war. |
| Hetepsekhemwy |
|
| Reneb |
|
| Ninetjer |
|
| Peribsen |
|
| Khasekhemwy |
|
~~~~~~~~~~~~OLD
KINGDOM~~~~~~~~~~~~
The age of the Pyramid
3rd
Dynasty
Djoser built the step pyramid. |
| Sanakhte (Nebka) |
2650 - 2630 |
| Netjerykhet
(Djoser) |
2630 - 2611 |
| Sekhemkhet (Djoser Teti) |
2611 - 2603 |
| Khaba |
2603 - 2599 |
| Huni |
2599 - 2575 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
4th
Dynasty
During this dynasty there was a great
peace. The kings were able to put their energies in art. King Khufu's Great Pyramid of
Giza was built. People prayed to the sun god Re. The first religious words were written on
the walls of the royal tombs.
Photo
courtesy and © 1992 Steven Beikirch, Ancient
Egypt |
| Senefru Built
Bent Pyramid |
2575 - 2551 |
| Khufu (Cheops)
Built Great Pyramid |
2551 - 2528 |
| Radjedef |
2528 - 2520 |
| Khafre (Chephren)
Built Great Sphinx |
2520 - 2494 |
| Menkaure (Mycerinus) |
2490 - 2472 |
| Shepseskaf |
2472 - 2467 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
5th
Dynasty
For the first time high officials came
from people outside of the royal family. The pyramids begin to be smaller and less solid.
However, the carvings in the temples were of great quality. Papyrus scrolls from this time
have been discovered. They showed record keeping of goods. |
| Userkaf |
2465 - 2458 |
| Sahure |
2458 - 2446 |
| Neferirkare Kakai |
2446 - 2426 |
| Shepseskare Ini |
2426 - 2419 |
| Raneferef |
2419 - 2416 |
| Niuserre Izi |
2416 - 2392 |
| Menkauhor |
2396 - 2388 |
| Djedkare Izezi |
2388 - 2356 |
| Wenis |
2356 - 2323 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
6th
Dynasty
Many records of trading expeditions have
been discovered from this period. |
| Teti |
2323 - 2291 |
| Pepy I (Meryre) |
2289 - 2255 |
| Merenre Nemtyemzaf |
2255 - 2246 |
| Pepy II (Neferkare) |
2246 - 2152 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~FIRST
INTERMEDIATE PERIOD~~~~~~~~~~~~
During this time the government had a breakdown. The regional governors
divided the land among themselves.
Order was gained in 1986 when Montuhotep reunited the country.
King Mentuhotep moved the capital from Memphis to Thebes.
7th
and 8th Dynasties (2150 - 2135)
The political structure of the Old
Kingdom collapsed. There was famine, civil disorder, and a high death rate. |
| Netrikare |
|
| Menkare |
|
| Neferkare II |
|
| Neferkare III |
|
| Djedkare II |
|
| Neferkare IV |
|
| Merenhor |
|
| Menkamin I |
|
| Nikare |
|
| Neferkare V |
|
| Neferkahor |
|
| Neferkare VI |
|
| Neferkamin II |
|
| Ibi I |
|
| Neferkaure |
|
| Neferkauhor |
|
| Neferirkare II |
|
Authorized
Kings about whom nothing more is known. |
| Wadjkare |
| Sekhemkare |
| Iti |
| Imhotep |
| Isu |
| Iytenu |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
9th
and 10th Dynasties (2135 - 1986)
Egypt split into the north, ruled from
Herakleopolis, and the south, ruled from Thebes. |
| Neferkare |
|
| several kings named Kheti |
|
| Meri-Hathor (?) |
|
| Merikare |
|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
11th
Dynasty |
| Inyotef I (Sehertawy) |
2074 - 2064 |
| Inyotef II (Wahankh) |
2064 - 2015 |
| Inyotef III (Nakhtnebtepnefer) |
2015 - 2007 |
| Montuhotep II |
2007 - 1986 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~MIDDLE
KINGDOM~~~~~~~~~~~~
Properous period with much foreign trade. Many large building projects.
Skilled jewelry making.
The government became strong with King Amenemhet I's rule.
11th
Dynasty
Egypt was unified once again under the
rule of Metuhotep. He built an exceptional mortuary complex at Dyr al-Bahri. |
| Montuhotep II (Nebhepetre) |
1986 - 1956 |
| Montuhotep III (Sankhkare) |
1956 - 1944 |
| Montuhotep IV (Nebtawyre) |
1944 - 1937 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Temple of Amon - Ra
at Karnak
built during the
12th dynasty
Ptolemaic Period |
 Photo
courtesy and © 1992 Steven Beikirch, Ancient
Egypt |
12th
Dynasty
Amenemhet moved the capital back to
Memphis. Sesostris II reorganized Egypt into 4 regions (northern and southern halves
of the Nile Valley and eastern and western Delta).
Written language was regularized. |
| Amenemhet I (Sehetepibre) |
1937 - 1908 |
| Senwosret I (Kheperkare) |
1917 - 1872 |
| Amenemhet II (Nubkaure) |
1875 - 1840 |
| Senwosret II (Khakheperre) |
1842 - 1836 |
| Senwosret III (Khakaure) |
1836 - 1817 |
| Amenemhet III (Nimaatre) |
1817 - 1772 |
| Amenemhet IV (Maakherure) |
1772 - 1763 |
| Neferusobek (Sobekkare) |
1763 - 1759 |
~~~~~~~~~~SECOND
INTERMEDIATE PERIOD~~~~~~~~~~
The Hyksos invaded and conquered. Eventually the Theban princes regained power.
Kamose defeated the Hyksos.
Weapons, horses, and chariots appeared.
13th
Dynasty
Few monuments from this period survived.
Each king reigned for only a short time. Some of these kings were born commoners. The
eastern Delta region broke away during this time. |
| Wegaf |
1783-1779 |
| Amenemhat-senebef |
|
| Sekhemre-khutawi |
|
| Amenemhat V |
|
| Sehetepibre I |
|
| Iufni |
|
| Amenemhat VI |
|
| Semenkare |
|
| Sehetepibre II |
|
| Sewadjkare |
|
| Nedjemibre |
|
| Sobekhotep I |
|
| Reniseneb |
|
| Hor I |
|
| Amenemhat VII |
|
| Sobekhotep II |
|
| Khendjer |
|
| Imira-mesha |
|
| Antef IV |
|
| Seth |
|
| Sobekhotep III |
|
| Neferhotep I |
1696 - 1686 |
| Sihathor |
1685 - 1685 |
| Sobekhotep IV |
1685 - 1678 |
| Sobekhotep V |
1678 - 1674 |
| Iaib |
1674 - 1664 |
| Ay |
1664 - 1641 |
| Ini I |
|
| Sewadjtu |
|
| Ined |
|
| Hori |
|
| Sobekhotep VI |
|
| Dedumes I |
|
| Ibi II |
|
| Hor II |
|
| Senebmiu |
|
| Sekhanre I |
|
| Merkheperre |
|
| Merikare |
|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
14th
Dynasty
Egypt was invaded by Asiatic desert
people called Hyksos. These Hyksos made themselves kings and held the country for over 200
years. |
| Nehesi |
|
| Khatire |
|
| Nebfaure |
|
| Sehabre |
|
| Meridjefare |
|
| Sewadjkare |
|
| Heribre |
|
| Sankhibre |
|
| Kanefertemre |
|
| Neferibre |
|
| Ankhkare |
|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
15th
Dynasty
The Hyksos sacked the old capital of
Memphis and built their capital at Avaris in the Delta. |
| Salitis |
|
| Bnon |
|
| Apachnan (Khian) |
|
| Apophis (Auserre Apepi) |
|
| Khamudi |
|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
16th
Dynasty
The Hyksos rule brought about many new
methods. Some were bronze working, pottery, looms and even new musical styles. New breeds
of animals and crops were introduced. New weapons appeared. Among these were the composite
bow, new daggers and scimitars, and the horse and chariot. |
| Anat-Her |
|
| User-anat |
|
| Semqen |
|
| Zaket |
|
| Wasa |
|
| Qar |
|
| Pepi III |
|
| Bebankh |
|
| Nebmaatre |
|
| Nikare II |
|
| Aahotepre |
|
| Nubankhre |
|
| Nubuserre |
|
| Khauserre |
|
| Khamure |
|
| Jacob-Baal |
|
| Yakbam |
|
| Yoam |
|
| Amu |
|
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
17th
Dynasty
This line of rulers developed in Thebes,
and controlled the area from Elephantine to Abydos. The first rulers made no attempt to
fight the Hyksos. However, the later rulers fought a number of battles. |
| Antef V |
|
| Rahotep |
|
| Sobekemzaf I |
|
| Djehuti |
|
| Mentuhotep VII |
|
| Nebirau I |
|
| Nebirau II |
|
| Semenenre |
|
| Suserenre |
|
| Sobekemzaf II |
|
| Antef VI |
|
| Antef VII |
|
| Tao I (Senakhtenre) |
|
| Tao II (Sekenenre) |
|
| Kamose (Wadjkheperre) |
|
~~~~~~~~~~~~NEW
KINGDOM~~~~~~~~~~~~
Period of prosperity. Building projects and art flourished during the 18th
and 19th dynasties especially at Thebes (at Luxor and Karnak)
Royalty was buried in the Valley of
the Kings.
During the 20th dynasty officials began tomb robbing.
Priests became very powerful and the government broke down.
The capital was again moved to Memphis.
18th
Dynasty
Ahmose finally beat the Hyksos and sent
them out of Egypt. This dynasty had a number of strong rulers.
Thutmose I conquered parts of the Near
East and Africa.
Hatshepsut and Thutmose made Egypt a
super power.
Amenhotep II began an artistic
revolution.
Akhenaton and Nefertiti began a new
religion with one god.
Tutankhamen reigned.
|
| Ahmose (Nebpehtyre) |
1539 - 1514 |
| Amenhotep I (Djeserkare) |
1514 - 1493 |
| Thutmose I
(Akheperkare) |
1493 - 1481 |
| Thutmose II (Akheperenre) |
1481 - 1479 |
| Hatshepsut
(Maatkare) |
1473 - 1458 |
| Thutmose III
(Menkheperre) |
1479 - 1425 |
| Amenhotep II (Akheperure) |
1427 - 1392 |
| Thutmose IV (Menkheperure) |
1392 - 1382 |
| Amenhotep
III (Nebmaatre) |
1382 - 1344 |
| Amenhotep IV /
Akhenaten |
1352 - 1336 |
| Neferneferuaten |
1341 - 1337 |
| Smenkhkare (Ankhkheperure) |
1337 - 1336 |
| Tutankhamun
(Nebkheperure) |
1336 - 1327 |
| Ay (Kheperkheperure) |
1327 - 1323 |
| Horemheb (Djeserkheperure) |
1323 - 1295 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
19th
Dynasty
Seti I restored many monuments. His
temple at Abydos has some of the most superior carved wall reliefs. Many battles and
treaties were written between Egypt and Asiatic powers.
Horus and Anubis with Ramesses I
Photo
courtesy and ©1996 Richard Deurer, Ancient Gallery Directory
Used with permission.
|
| Ramesses I (Menpehtyre) |
1295 - 1294 |
| Seti
I (Menmaatre) |
1394 - 1279 |
| Ramesses II (Usermaatresetepenre) |
1279 - 1213 |
| Merenptah (Baenrehotephirmaat) |
1213 - 1203 |
| Amenmesse (Menmire) |
1203 - 1200 |
| Seti II (Userkheperuresetepenre) |
1200 - 1194 |
| Siptah (Akhenresetepenre) |
1194 - 1188 |
| Tausert (Sitremeritamun) |
1188 - 1186 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
20th
Dynasty
Setakht restored order to the country.
Ramesses III was one of the greatest kings. |
| Setakht (Userkhauremeryamun) |
1186 - 1184 |
| Ramesses III
(Usermaatremeryamun) |
1184 - 1153 |
| Ramesses IV (Hekamaatresetepenamun) |
1153 - 1147 |
| Ramesses V (Usermaatresekheperenre) |
1147 - 1143 |
| Ramesses VI (Nebmaatremeryamun) |
1143 - 1136 |
| Ramesses VII (Usermaatresetepenre) |
1136 - 1129 |
| Ramesses VIII (Usermaatreakhenamun) |
1129 - 1126 |
| Ramesses IX (Neferkaresetepenre) |
1126 - 1108 |
| Ramesses X (Khepermaatresetepenre) |
1108 - 1099 |
| Ramesses XI (Menmaatresetepenptah |
1099 - 1069 |
~~~~~~~~~~~THIRD
INTERMEDIATE PERIOD~~~~~~~~~~~
The kings weakened, and Egypt was no longer a world power.
Civil war and foreign invaders tore Egypt apart.
The capital moved from Tanis to Libyan, to Nubia, to Thebes, to Sais, and then back to
Nubia and Thebes.
21st
Dynasty |
| Smedes |
1070-1044 |
| Amenemnisu |
1044-1040 |
| Psusennes |
1040-992 |
| Amenope |
993-984 |
| Osochor |
984-978 |
| Siamun |
978-959 |
| Psusennes II |
959-945 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
22nd
Dynasty |
| Shoshenq I |
945-924 |
| Osorkon I |
924-909 |
| Takelot |
909--? |
| Shoshenq |
II ?--883 |
| Osorkon II |
883-855 |
| Takelot II |
860-835 |
| Shoshenq III |
835-783 |
| Pami |
783-773 |
| Shoshenq IV |
773-735 |
| Osorkon IV |
735-712 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
23rd
Dynasty |
| Pedubaste I |
828-803 |
| Osorkon IV |
777-749 |
| Peftjauwybast |
740-725 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
24th
Dynasty |
| Shepsesre Tefnakht I |
725-720 |
| Wahkare Bakenranef |
720-715 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~LATE
KINGDOM~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Nubians fell under the Assyrians invasion.
The Greeks helped re-establish order.
A renaissance in the arts of the 25th Dynasty showed a return to the Old Kingdom style.
25th
Dynasty |
| Shebaka |
712-698 |
| Shebitku |
698-690 |
| Taharqa |
690-664 |
| Tantamani |
664-657 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
26th
Dynasty |
| Psammetichus I (Psam-tik) |
664-610 |
| Psammetichus II |
610-595 |
| Apries |
589-570 |
| Amasis |
570-526 |
| Psammetichus III |
526-52 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
27th
Dynasty
The Persian Conquest
The Persians invaded and ruled Egypt. They were pushed out in 404 B. C. |
| Cambyses |
525-522 |
| Darius I |
521-486 |
| Xerxes I |
486-466 |
| Artaxerxes I |
465-424 |
| Darius II |
424-404 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
28th
Dynasty |
| Amyrtaios |
404-399 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
29th
Dynasty |
| Nepherites I |
399-393 |
| Psammuthis |
393 |
| Hakoris |
393-380 |
| Nepherites II |
380 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
30th Dynasty
The 30th Dynasty contained the last of the Egyptian-born pharaohs. |
| Nectanebo I |
380-362 |
| Teos |
365-360 |
| Nectanebo II |
360-343 |
~~~~~~~SECOND
PERSIAN PERIOD (343-332 B.C.)~~~~~~~
This period was added after Manetho created a list of kings.
31st
Dynasty |
| Ochus (Artaxerxes III) |
343-338 |
| Arses |
338-336 |
| Darius III Codomannus |
335-332 |
~~~~~~~GRECO-ROMAN
PERIOD (332 B.C. - 395 A.D.)~~~~~~~
Macedonian
Kings - Alexandria |
| Alexander the Great |
332-323 |
| Philip Arrhidaeus |
323-316 |
| Alexander IV |
316-304 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ptolemaic
Dynasty
Confusing time with many co-regencies.
Alexandria became the new capital. It was home to the greatest library of the ancient
world.
Egypt was powerful until Cleopatra died. Egypt was then ruled by Rome. |
| Ptolemy I Soter I |
323-285 |
| Ptolemy II Philadelphus |
282-246 |
| Ptolemy III Euergeter I |
246-222 |
| Ptolemy IV Philopator |
222-205 |
| Ptolemy V Epiphanes |
205-180 |
| Ptolemy VI Philometor |
180-164 & 163-145 |
| Ptolemy VII Neos Philopator |
145 |
| Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II |
170-163 & 145-116 |
| Cleopatra III & Ptolemy IX Soter II |
116-107 & 88-80 |
| Cleopatra III & Ptolemy X Alexander |
107-88 |
| Cleopatra Berenice |
81-80 |
| Ptolemy XI Alexander II |
80 |
| Ptolemy XII Neos Dionysos |
80-58 & 55-51 |
| Berenice IV |
58-55 |
| Cleopatra VII
& Ptolemy XIII Queen of the Nile |
51-47 |
| Cleopatra &
Ptolemy XIV |
47-44 |
| Cleopatra VII
& Ptolemy XV Cesarion |
44-30 |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Roman
Emperors
After Cleopatra and Antony committed suicide in 30 B. C. Egypt was ruled by the
Romans.
Egypt does not have another Egyptian ruler for 2000 years. |
| Augustus |
30 B.C. - 14 A.D. |
| Tiberius |
14-37 |
| Gaius Caligula |
37-41 |
| Claudius |
41-54 |
| Nero |
54-68 |
| Galba |
68-69 |
| Vespasianus |
69-79 |
| Titus |
79-81 |
| Domitianus |
81-96 |
| Nerva |
96-98 |
| Trajanus |
98-117 |
| Hadrianus |
117-138 |
| Antoninus Pius |
138-161 |
| Marcus Aurelius |
161-180 |
| Lucius Verrus |
|
| Commodus |
180-192 |
| Septimus Severus |
193-211 |
| Caracalla |
198-217 |
| Geta |
209-212 |
|