Egyptian history is long and complex, with a rich and vibrant backstory. It’s both a boon for storytelling and a challenge. It is a struggle to make many millennia distinct from each other and avoid them all falling into a vague sense of ‘the past’. So, if you are planning to visit Egypt or have visited Egypt and want to clear up your memories, then here is The Explorer Society’s (brief) guide to Egyptian history.

Note: ‘A Brief Guide to Egyptian History’ is not a definitive guide that could be considered strictly academic. But, as frequent Egypt travellers, we think this is one that best helps wrap your head around it.

The Basics of Egyptian History

First things first, most of what we consider to be ‘ancient’ Egyptian history fits into five distinct Kingdoms:

The Old, the Middle, The New, The Late and The Ptolemaic.

These are often interrupted by what is termed Intermediate Periods. So, in a nutshell, it goes Kingdom, Intermediate Period, Kingdom, Intermediate Period and so on.

We are just going to focus on Egyptian history that took place ‘Before the Common Era’, better known as BCE (or BC). To get an idea of how many years ago it occured, add 2022 (the current year) to it.

Let’s start at the very beginning.

Pre-dynastic period – around 3100 to 2600 BCE

Formed around 3150 BC, the areas of both Upper and Lower Egypt were unified under a ruler named Menes into one dynasty, that inevitably lasted for millennia. For the first time in recorded history, Egypt exists as a single entity.

Old Kingdom – around 2600 to 2100 BCE

This is the ‘Age of the Pyramids’. During this time many pyramids were constructed, including the famed Pyramids of Giza. As you can tell by the name, this period is a long time ago, over 4600 years prior to you reading this. This kingdom ends with a mighty famine.

Intermediate Period – around 2100 to 1950 BCE

After the dissolution of the Old Kingdom, there was great political upheaval for about 150 years. During this time Egypt was once again two separate kingdoms.

Middle Kingdom – around 1950 to 1640 BCE

Reunited again! Strong floods occurred during this time, which generally provide good conditions for food and peace. This prosperous time also saw a period of stable government.

Intermediate Period II– around 1640 to 1520 BCE

Invaded to the north, the Egyptian kingdom loses Lower Egypt (which is actually the north of the country) to the blood thirsty Hyksos who invade and rule their new territory. Well, this is the story told by ancient Egyptian history. Common modern belief is that instead of being invaders they were actually instead residents of the north who seceded. Either way, they are eventually forced out and defeated by Ahmose I who first reunites the kingdoms, and then rewrites the stories.

New Kingdom – 1520 to 1075 BCE

This is one of the strongest periods for Egypt as a dynasty, with many of the sights people now visit built during this time. It is the time for famed pharaohs like Ramses II, who ruled for 67 years. It is also the time for others like Hatshepsut, Akhenaten and Nefertiti. This is also when Luxor Temple, the Valley of the Kings and Abu Simbel all came to be. It’s worth reminding you that this is at least 1000 years after the pyramids were built.

The boy king Tutankhamun was also in this period. It should be noted that Tutankhamun didn’t do much as a ruler and was largely forgotten for 3000 years. However, we found his tomb intact and unplundered, very rare in Egyptology, hence his modern fame.

Intermediate Period III and Late Period – around 1075 to 332 BCE

Not a great time for the Egyptians to be honest. This is a period of constant invasion, from Nubian, Libyan and Assyrian forces. On a bright note, it’s during this time the Temple of Philae is built (in what is now Aswan). Over this period the kingdom splits and rejoins numerous times before finally being invaded and ruled by the Persians. That is, of course, until much later when it is conquered by Alexander the Great on his great rampage east, who founds Alexandria after himself as the new capital. After his death, Egypt is ruled by his trusted General, Ptolemy I.

Ptolemaic Dynasty – 305 to 30 BCE

This period saw Egypt become a strong country again. Well, sort of. It’s not the Egypt it used to be. After the first two Ptolemaic rulers (easily remembered as Ptolemy I and Ptolemy II) the rest were fairly useless, propped up by the Roman empire. It might have had something to do with their practise of marrying siblings in order to consolidate power. These rulers are also very distinctly ‘not Egyptian’ and very much Greek. It’s believed that only the last ruler, Cleopatra, really bothered to learn the language of her people. This dynasty ended after its inner turmoil and its involvement in the Roman Civil War saw it fall to the Roman Empire. The very end of this period is the time of Julius Caesar, Cleopatra and Mark Antony.

Once again, it’s worth noting that this is 3,000 years after the Pyramids were built and even 1,500 years after Abu Simbel and Luxor. You, reading this right now on a computer or mobile phone, are living closer in time to Cleopatra than she was to the Pyramids being built.

And so on…

And of course, all of that occurred in BCE, before the beginning of the Common Era and the next 2,000 years of Egyptian history! That following 2,000 years sees Islamic Conquest, Napoleonic invasion, British colonialism, Egyptian independence and the Arab Spring revolution. And on it goes.

Even with this extremely condensed version, you can see why Egypt is a fascinating place to visit. Head there to walk in the footsteps of the past and see some of the greatest achievements, and failures, of the human species.