When did ancient Egypt start and end?

When did ancient Egypt start and end?

When did ancient Egypt start and end? Few cultures inspire awe in human history like this one. Egypt has thousands of years of history, with pyramids raised above that landscape, hieroglyphs, and mighty pharaohs. But when exactly did the Ancient Egyptians start? And when did they finish? Such a truly baffling and fascinating thing: thousands of years of great cultural, political, and technologic accomplishments.

So, basically, this guide will present a straightforward timeline regarding the rise and fall of Ancient Egypt, discuss several major periods of ancient Egyptian history, and finally give a few reasons why the dates should matter to the tourist, student, and everybody who has a tickle of interest in history.

The Beginning of Ancient Egypt — Early Dynastic Period (c. 3100 BCE)

When did ancient Egypt start and end? Though the precise dating can be debated among scholars, the commencement of Ancient Egypt was generally taken around 3100 BCE. This is the date assigned to the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt by the legendary King Narmer, sometimes known as Menes. Prior to unification, Egypt was fractured into small kingdoms along the Nile. Being one of the very few early instances of centralized states in world history, this unification can be said to mark the beginning.

A few salient features of this early period:

Development of Hieroglyphic Writing: The first hieroglyphs appeared at the very end of the Predynastic Period and formed the basis for Egypt’s famous written records.

• Capital at Memphis: The first pharaohs set up their capital near what is today Cairo.
• Formation of Religious Institutions: Temples, priesthoods, and worship centered on such gods as Horus and Ra.
• This Early Dynastic Period showed the way for the marvelous accomplishments of the Old Kingdom.

The Old Kingdom — Age of the Pyramids (c. 2686–2181 BCE)

When did ancient Egypt start and end? Since the Old Kingdom constituted a period when many major works were constructed, it was appropriately sometimes called the Age of Pyramids. Within this era lie the building of the famous pyramids of Giza, including the Great Pyramid of Khufu.

Key highlights:

• – Pharaohs had absolute power and were considered living gods.
• – Stone monumental architecture had become the norm in maximum distance.
• – Mathematics, engineering, and administration cooperated to realize the projects on a large scale.

During the transition into the First Intermediate Period, a phase of political fragmentation and economic woes precipitated the collapse of the Old Kingdom.

The Middle Kingdom — A Golden Age (c. 2055–1650 BCE)

When did ancient Egypt start and end? Whenever the government was in its paroxysm, Egypt would now step into the Middle Kingdom, the realm of graces and an artistic culture.

• Pharaohs such as Mentuhotep II reunited the country and found a strong central government again.
• They achieved an elite state in literature, art, and commerce.
• The Middle Kingdom bureaucracy was so well organized that it made life easier for the people.

This period came to an end mainly when foreign powers, especially the Hyksos from the Near East, asserted control over one part or the other.

The New Kingdom — Egypt at Its Peak (c. 1550–1070 BCE)

When did ancient Egypt start and end? Egypt reached its prime when big power and prosperity flooded the land. It, so to say, was the period of the famous rulers Hatshepsut, Akhenaten, Tutankhamun, and Ramses II. Now, the New Kingdom was casting its influence in Nubia and the Levant.

• The grand temple complexes of Karnak and Luxor were constructed and augmented. The art forms developed from immediately less sophisticated ones: the era of international diplomacy began.
• The Treaty Period began coming into existence as the New Kingdom entered into a decline with internal friction, invasion, and economic strain.

The Late Period and Foreign Rule (c. 664–332 BCE)

When did ancient Egypt start and end? Some foreign powers, such as the Nubians, Assyrians, and Persians, came to rule Egypt from time to time during the Late Period. Egyptian culture was, however, very resilient in nature, that is, the Egyptian language, religion, and artistic culture continued to flourish in spite of periodic political instability.

The End of Ancient Egypt — The Ptolemaic Dynasty and Roman Rule (332 BCE–395 CE)

When did ancient Egypt start and end? An ancient Egyptian civilization, being a traditional culture, is believed to have ended in 332 BCE when the country came under the control of Alexander. Following Alexander’s death, Egypt became the Ptolemaic Kingdom under the rule of a Greek royal family. Queen Cleopatra VII was the most famous member of this dynasty, a period replete with political intrigue, and allied herself successively with Julius Caesar and then with Mark Antony.

After being put to flight by Octavian, later Augustus, in 30 BCE, Egypt was declared a province of the Roman Empire. Even though the Romans kept to many of the Egyptian customs, it is generally agreed that these events mark the end of Ancient Egypt as an independent civilization.

Some scholars put the date of the “end” a little later at around 395 CE, when Christianity took root, temples were closed, and the full transition into a new era had been realized.

Conclusion of when did ancient Egypt start and end?: A Civilization That Lasted Over 3,000 Years

So, when did Ancient Egypt start and end?

• To be sure, Egyptian culture began approximately 3100 BCE with the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the reign of Narmer.
• Anyhow, that culture ended with the Roman conquest of Egypt and the death of Cleopatra VII in 30 BCE or perhaps around 395 CE when Christianity ended the ancient religion.

One really must grasp the whole period of Egyptian history to appreciate Egyptian monuments, culture, and legacy.

Egyptian culture continues to be the longest-sustaining and most influential culture throughout civilizations until today.