The Old Kingdom 2686 to 2181 B.C.E
Based on Egyptian legend, in the beginning the Egyptians' land was comprised of many populated areas were governed by tribal “chieftains.” Early during the first Dynastic Period, Upper and Lower Egypt were united by King Menes around 3100 B.C.E. Menes wore a “Double Crown” to signify the White Crown of Upper Egypt and the Red Crown of Lower Egypt. The Nile brought Upper and Lower Egypt together physically and Menes brought them together politically.
The Old Kingdom lasted from 2686 to 2181 B.C.E, which included the third through sixth dynasties. The capital of the Old Kingdom was located in Memphis. With the Old Kingdom came prosperity and glory as shown through the massive creation of the greatest and largest pyramids in Egyptian history.
During this time, the Egyptian kings were referred to as gods. Despite the infinite amount of power Egyptian kings possessed, it was their job to uphold fundamental order and harmony. The kings were supposed to rule based on principles such as truth, justice, order and harmony.
The first king of the Old Kingdom was Djoser (2691 and 2625 BC). He ruled for nearly 19 years and was the most famous king during his time period. His greatest success was the establishment of the building of the Step Pyramid at Saqqara and the temple complex surrounding it. It was the first monumental building made of stone. The Step Pyramid lead to so much of Djsoer’s fame during his rule and that is why his name is well known today.
Egypt was divided into a total of 42 provinces. There were twenty-two provinces in Upper Egypt and twenty in Lower Egypt. Each province was headed by a governor who tried to build up power within his own province.
The pharaohs of the 6th dynasty ended up losing control of the kingdom and after the 6th dynasty it became known as a “dark period.” Egypt became divided and both sides could not seem to come to an agreement. This period lasted about 100 years and covered the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th dynasties. It wasn’t until the 11th dynasty that Egypt was again united and the Middle Kingdom began.
The Old Kingdom lasted from 2686 to 2181 B.C.E, which included the third through sixth dynasties. The capital of the Old Kingdom was located in Memphis. With the Old Kingdom came prosperity and glory as shown through the massive creation of the greatest and largest pyramids in Egyptian history.
During this time, the Egyptian kings were referred to as gods. Despite the infinite amount of power Egyptian kings possessed, it was their job to uphold fundamental order and harmony. The kings were supposed to rule based on principles such as truth, justice, order and harmony.
The first king of the Old Kingdom was Djoser (2691 and 2625 BC). He ruled for nearly 19 years and was the most famous king during his time period. His greatest success was the establishment of the building of the Step Pyramid at Saqqara and the temple complex surrounding it. It was the first monumental building made of stone. The Step Pyramid lead to so much of Djsoer’s fame during his rule and that is why his name is well known today.
Egypt was divided into a total of 42 provinces. There were twenty-two provinces in Upper Egypt and twenty in Lower Egypt. Each province was headed by a governor who tried to build up power within his own province.
The pharaohs of the 6th dynasty ended up losing control of the kingdom and after the 6th dynasty it became known as a “dark period.” Egypt became divided and both sides could not seem to come to an agreement. This period lasted about 100 years and covered the 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th dynasties. It wasn’t until the 11th dynasty that Egypt was again united and the Middle Kingdom began.
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