Pharaohs, Kings, Governors & Rulers of Old Kingdom of Ancient Egypt
Old Kingdom
The Old Kingdom is the period in the third millennium BC when Egypt attained its first continuous peak of civilisational complexity and achievement (the first of three so-called "Kingdom" periods which mark the high points of civilization in the Nile Valley), spanning the period when Egypt was ruled by the Third Dynasty through the Sixth Dynasty (2630-2151 BC). Many Egyptologists also include the Memphite Seventh and Eighth Dynasties in the Old Kingdom as a continuation of the administration centralised at Memphis. The Old Kingdom was followed by a period of disunity and relative cultural decline referred to by Egyptologists as the First Intermediate Period or as the Egyptians called it, the "first illness."
The royal capital of Egypt during the Old Kingdom was located at Memphis, where Djoser established his court. The Old Kingdom is perhaps best known, however, for the large number of pyramids which were constructed at this time as pharaonic burial places. For this reason, the Old Kingdom is frequently referred to as "the Age of the Pyramids".
Third Dynasty
The Third Dynasty ruled from 2686 to 2613 BC.
Fourth Dynasty
The Fourth Dynasty ruled from 2613 to 2498 BC and included the pharaohs who had the Great Pyramids built, Khufu (Cheops), Khafra (Chephren) and Menkaura (Mycerinus).
| Nomen (Praenomen) |
Comments |
Dates |
| Sneferu |
Built the Bent Pyramid, which is a pyramid built at a normal angle at the bottom but drastically changes at the top. He also built the first "true" pyramid, known as the Red Pyramid. Some say that he was buried at the Red Pyramid, while others say that he was buried at the Bent Pyramid. Bones have been found at the Red Pyramid, but there is no evidence that this is Sneferu's body. |
2613 - 2589 |
| Khufu |
Greek form: Cheops. Built the great pyramid of Giza. Note that Khufu is spoken of in early sources as being "third" of his family to rule, although there is no known record of a Pharaoh between Sneferu and Khufu. One supposition is that there might have been a very short reign of some elder brother of Khufu, whose inscriptions, name, and monuments have perished for one reason or another. |
2589 - 2566 |
| Djedefra (Radjedef) |
- |
2566 - 2558 |
| Khafra |
Greek form: Chephren His pyramid is the second largest in Giza and has a sphinx as a monument built for him. |
2558 - 2532 |
| - |
here some authorities insert Bikheris, following Manetho. |
- |
| Menkaure |
Greek form: Mycerinus. His pyramid is the third and smallest in Giza. |
2532 - 2503 |
| Shepseskaf |
- |
2503 - 2498 |
| Djedefptah |
- |
- |
| - |
here some authorities insert Thampthis, following Manetho. |
- |
Fifth Dynasty
The Fifth Dynasty ruled from 2498 to 2345 BC.
Sixth Dynasty
The Sixth Dynasty ruled from 2345 to 2181 BC.
| Name |
Comments |
Dates |
| Teti |
- |
2345 - 2333 |
| Userkare |
- |
2333 - 2332 |
| Pepi I Meryre |
Probably the son of Teti and his queen, Iput I. Though he may have had at least six, the wives of Pepi I that we know of were Ankhnesmerire I and II, who were the daughters of an influential official at Abydos named Khui |
2332 - 2283 |
| Merenre Nemtyemsaf I |
- |
2283 - 2278 |
| Pepi II Neferkare |
Possible unto 2224 which would explain the following 4 kings. |
2278 - 2184 |
| Neferka |
Only mentioned in the redford. Reigned during Pepi II; was possibly his son or co-reigner. |
2200 - 2199 |
| Nefer |
Reign of 2 years, 1 month and a day according to Turin Canon |
2197 - 2193 |
| Aba |
Reigned for 4 years and 2 months. Reign dates don't follow Turin Canon. Highly unlikely. |
2193 - 2176 |
| Unknown king |
Unknown king attested here |
- |
| Merenre Nemtyemsaf II |
Uncertain pharaoh. |
2184 |
| Neitiqerty Siptah |
This king may have been confused in later years as a supposed female ruler Nitocris. |
2184 - 2181 |
|
