The Pharaohs
In this section, I’ll catalogue the Pharaohs who ruled Egypt during the period covered by the game, ie the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms, spanning nearly two millenia from 2686BC to 1069BC. There is more information to be found in the General History section. Of course, the start is always good place to start (as my history teacher used to say), so let’s begin with:
The Old Kingdom
The Old Kingdom lasted between 2686BC and 2181BC, and was a period of great change for Egypt. The governmental system was refined and made more efficient, and the concept of kingship being related to divinity gained prominence. During this time we also see the construction of the pyramids at Giza, as well as some elsewhere in Egypt. There was no single royal line in the Old Kingdom – in fact, there were 4 dynasties:
- The 3rd Dynasty: 2686 – 2613 (5 Pharaohs)
- The 4th Dynasty: 2613 – 2498 (6 Pharaohs)
- The 5th Dynasty: 2498 – 2345 (9 Pharaohs)
- The 6th Dynasty: 2345 – 2181 (4 Pharaohs)
And the Pharaohs were as follows.
The 3rd Dynasty
Name | Dates | Notes |
---|---|---|
Sanakhte | 2686 – 2668 | |
Djoser | 2668 – 2649 | Brother of Sanakhte. Probably extended Egyptian rule as far south as Aswan and was responsible for building the Step Pyramid of Saqqara |
Sekhemkhet | 2649 – 2643 | Built unfinished step pyramid at Saqqara |
Khaba | 2643 – 2637 | Built “Layer Pyramid” a mile south of Giza |
Huni | 2637 – 2613 | Perhaps built Meydum pyramid |
The 4th Dynasty
Name | Dates | Notes |
---|---|---|
Snefru | 2613 – 2589 | Son-in-law of Huni. Built 2 pyramids at Dahshur – “Red Pyramid” and “Bent Pyramid”, and the probably builder of the Meydum Pyramid. |
Khufu (Cheops) | 2589 – 2566 | Built Great Pyramid at Giza. |
Djedefre | 2566 – 2558 | First Pharaoh to call himself the son of the Sun god. |
Khafre | 2558 – 2532 | Built Second Pyramid at Giza and (perhaps) the Great Sphinx |
Menkaure | 2532 – 2504 | Built Third Pyramid at Giza (smallest) |
Shepseskaf | 2504 – 2500 |
The 5th Dynasty
Name | Dates | Notes |
---|---|---|
Userkaf | 2498 – 2491 | Married the half-sister of Shepseskaf. Built the solar temple of Abu-Gurob. |
Sahure | 2491 – 2477 | |
Neferirkare | 2477 – 2467 | |
Shepseskare | 2467 – 2460 | |
Neferefre | 2460 – 2453 | |
Niuserre | 2453 – 2422 | |
Menkauhor | 2422 – 2414 | |
Djedkare | 2414 – 2375 | |
Unas | 2375 – 2345 | Built 1st pyramid to have decorated inside walls. |
The 6th Dynasty
Name | Dates | Notes |
---|---|---|
Teti | 2345 – 2333 | Moved pyramids back to Saqqara. Probably murdered by a bodyguard. |
Pepi I | 2333 – 2283 | |
Merenre | 2283 – 2278 | |
Pepi II | 2278 – 2184 | Long reign resulted in decentralisation. Central rule broke down on his death. |