Dynastic Egypt

Dynasty		Period				Years 

1-2		Early Dynastic			3100-2686 BCE
3-6		Old Kingdom			2686-2181 BCE
7-10		First Intermediate		2181-2133 BCE
11-12		Middle Kingdom			2133-1786 BCE
13-17		Second Intermediate		1786-1567 BCE
18-20		New Kingdom			1567-1080 BCE
21-25		Late New Kingdom		1080-664 BCE
26		Sait				664-525 BCE
27-31		Late				525-332 BCE
		Ptolemaic			332-30 BCE
		Roman				30 BCE - 642 CE
		Arab				642 CE to present time
Although the habit of dividing ancient Egypt into dynastic periods is convenient for the modern researcher, it should be borne in mind that it is an arbitrary and artificial arrangement. The Egyptians themselves did not see particular periods in their history -- rather, they viewed their history as a complete cycle, from the First Time of Osiris to the present.

Many people have speculated on the purpose of the pyramids down the ages. The Greeks, and later the Romans, thought that they were Royal Tombs, and this theory persists to this day among classical Egyptologists. The Royal Tomb theory does not, however, stand up to scrutiny, especially in the light of evidence provided by astronomy.

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