Egypt had 31 dynasties over its history that were grouped into three major kingdoms - the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms. The Old Kingdom from 2700-2200 BCE was referred to as the "Pyramid Age" and saw King Menes unite Upper and Lower Egypt. Pharaohs had absolute power as religious and political leaders during this time. The Middle Kingdom from 2100-1800 BCE was a calmer period where pharaohs did not have complete control and invested in infrastructure projects. The powerful New Kingdom from 1570-1080 BCE expanded Egypt's empire before internal conflicts weakened it and led to foreign invasions.

2.  Pharaoh
› An Egyptian Monarch
 Dynasty
› A family of rulers whose right to rule
was passed on within the family
 Egypt had 31 dynasties

3.  Dynasties were grouped into 3
different kingdoms
› Old Kingdom (2700 – 2200 BCE)
› Middle Kingdom (2100 – 1800 BCE)
› New Kingdom (1570 – 1080 BCE)

4.  2700 – 2200 BCE
 Referred to as
“Pyramid Age”
 1st Dynasty
› King Menes
 United Upper and
Lower Egypt
 Capital was
Memphis and later
moved to
Heliopolis

5.  Pharaohs had
absolute
power
› Decisions
became law
› Religious leader
 Were believed to
provide floods
and harvest

6.  2100 – 1800 BCE
 Calmer times
 New government
where pharaoh did
not have complete
power
 Pharaohs spent
wealth on works
› Irrigation Projects
› Canal between Nile
and Red Sea

7.  Egypt grew richer over time
 Invasions by foreigners made Egypt
weaker and eventually collapsed

8.  1570 – 1080 BCE
 Princes drove out
foreigners in 1550 BC
 Wanted to build
empire
› Moved capital to
Thebes
 Had huge armies with
lots of weapons
› Became nearly
unbeatable

9.  Civil war weakened
the New Kingdom
› Broke into smaller
states
› Open to invasion
 Alexander the Great
took control in 332
BCE
 Romans conquered
in 32 BCE

10. Cairo
Lower
Egypt Giza Heliopolis
Memphis
Upper
Egypt
Thebes
Nubia
(Kush)