The Old Kingdom

The Old Kingdom in Egypt was the period from about 2650 to 2134, which was the richest and most creative period in Egyptian history. All the pyramids were built at this time. These pyramids were built in the lifetime of four kings, Snofru, Cheops, Chephren, and Mycerinus.

The fourth dynasty is the beginning of the Old Kingdom. This was the Golden Age when the pyramids at Giza were built as tombs for the three Pharaohs. They were Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure. It is these monuments that have been greatly remembered through out history. During the fifth and sixth dynasties of the Old Kingdom, the pharoahs began to loose power and control.

In the third dynasty the pharoahs were Sanakhte, Djoser, Sekhemkhet, Khaba, and Huni. In the fourth dynasty the pharoahs were Snefru, Cheops, Dfedefre, Chephren, Menkaura, Shepseskaf, and Djedefptah. In the fifth dynasty the pharoahs were Userkaf, Sahure, Neferirkare, Shepseskare, Neferefre, Nyuserre, Mankauhor, Djedkare, and Unas. In the sixth dynasty the pharoahs were Teti the first, Userkare, Pepi the first, Merenre the first, Pepi the second, Merenre the second, and Nitocris.

The second king of the Third Dynasty was Djoser. He ruled for about two decades and he built the Step Pyramid at Saqqara. During his reign, Egypt experienced a seven year famine. The fifth king of the Third Dynasty was Huni who ruled for about 24 years. He built or at least started the pyramid at Meidum. This pyramid was however the first square ground plan.

Sneferu was the first king of the Fourth Dynasty. He was an active leader. He began trade with the Mediterranean nations . Sneferu built the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid. Khufu was the second king of this dynasty. Little is known about Khufu but he is greatly remebered for building the Great Pyramid. Khafre was the fourth king of this dynasty. He built the Pyramid of Khafre and many historians believe he built the Great Sphinx at Giza.

The second king of the Fifth Dynasty was Sahure who established the Egyptian navy and a fleet to trade with Palestine. Nyuserre was the sixth king of this dynasty. He is famous for his solar temple and his pyramid at Abu Sir. Unas was the ninth king of this dynasty. His pyramid was the very first to carry inscriptions. Later on these became known as the famous, "Pyramid Texts." Pepi the first was the third king of the Sixth Dynasty. He took the offensive military role. The fifth king of this Dynasty was the son of Pepi the first who was Pepi the second. He took the throne when he was only 6 years old and reigned for 94 years. The "Pyramid Texts" were a decoration for the burial chambers or tombs of the pharoahs of the Fifth Dynasty. (Bauer 116)

The Old Kingdom was a great flourishing of thoughts, creativity, and technical advances. The Old Kingdom is also known as the "Age of Stone." Though the dynasties of the kingdoms are a useful tool for studying Ancient Egypt they don't help us understand how the Egyptians viewed their world then.

The Old Kingdom was a period of stability and prosperity in Egypt. Some of the largest monuments were the king's tombs in the Old Kingdom. After the wasteful Fourth Dynasty, a dreadful drought came which ended the Old Kingdom. The combination of the drought and overplanting had shrink streams and rivers which caused the Old Kingdom to come to an end. The Sixth Dynasty was the last of the Old Kingdom. (Bauer 117 & 131) (Kemp 125)

Kemp, Barry. Think Like an Egyptian. New York: Penguin Group, Inc, 2005
Bauer, Wise, Susan. The History of the Ancient World. New York: Norton & Company, Inc, 2007