OLD KINGDOM

OF EGYPT TIMELINE
2686 BC - 2181 BC
2690
BC

Pharaoh Khasekhemwy lays to rest the violent disputes of

the 2nd Dynasty and unites northern and southern Egypt.

2670
BC

3rd Dynasty begins with Djoser, whose Horus name was

Netjerikhet. Though most historians agree that Djoser was
the first pharaoh of the 3rd Dynasty, some believe that
Necherophes or Nebka preceded Djoser (Manetho, Turin &
 Abydos King Lists, respectively)

2667
2648
BC

Imhotep, Djosers vizier, publishes medical documents

detailing the diagnosis and cure of 200 diseases.

2650
2625
BC

Imhotep, Ra high priest at Heliopolis and Djosers

chancellor, builds a pyramid (or, the Step Pyramid) at
 Saqqara, the necropolis of Memphis, for Djoser.

2625
BC

Huni becomes pharaoh and begins construction of the

Maidum step pyramid, which was finished by his successor,
Sneferu.

2613
B C

The 4th Dynasty begins with Sneferu. In his reign, he builds

in Dahshur the first straight-side pyramid, known as the
Red Pyramid.
2589
BC

Sneferu passes away and Khufu (Cheops) begins his reign.

Other than having the Great Pyramid of Giza built, not
much as documented about him and his reign.

2584 Khufu/Cheops has his vizier, Hemon/Hemiunu, begin

BC building the Great Pyramid of Giza.
2558 Khafra, son of Khufu, becomes ruler. Not much was written
BC about him other than that he was said to be cruel and
heretical.

2558
2532
BC

The Sphinx is built for pharaoh Khafra sometime during his

reign. He also built the second largest pyramid of Giza.
2532
BC

Khafra passes away.

2494 The 5th Dynasty begins with Userkaf. He began the custom
BC of building sun temples at Abusir. During his life he also
built the Pyramid of Userkaf complex at Saqqara.
2375
BC

Unas, last ruler of the 5th Dynasty, reigns as pharaoh.

Manetho wrote that he probably had no sons when he
passed away.

2345 The 6th Dynasty begins with Teti. His reign was said to
BC have lasted about 12 years.
2333
BC

Teti passes away and Userkare becomes pharaoh. It was

said that Userkare opposed his predecessor and possibly
usurped the throne. On the contrary, he may well have
been Tetis son but this is uncertain.
2332
BC

Pepi I, son of Teti, becomes ruler. He was able to do so with

the support of powerful influence in Upper Egypt. He was
able to dethrone his brother, the usurper Userkare who had
murdered his father.
2283 Pepi I passes away and is buried in a pyramid in South
BC Saqqar.