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[[Egyptian chronology|Egyptian history]] is split up into distinct periods, with the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms separated from each other and the Late Period by so-called “Intermediate Periods”, times of disunity and apparent unrest, or of foreign occupation. All dates before the Late Period are circa, and when dealing with purely Egyptian issues, it is common to work only within a framework of reigns and dynasties, rather than absolute dates.  

[[Egyptian chronology|Egyptian history]] is split up into distinct periods, with the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms separated from each other and the Late Period by so-called “Intermediate Periods”, times of disunity and apparent unrest, or of foreign occupation. All dates before the Late Period are circa, and when dealing with purely Egyptian issues, it is common to work only within a framework of reigns and dynasties, rather than absolute dates.  

Young earth creationists point to an increasing body of evidence which suggests that the history of ancient Egypt is shorter, by several millennia, than most scholars have previously supposed.<ref>http://creation.com/egyptian-history-and-the-biblical-record-a-perfect-match</ref><ref>http://www.creationwiki.org/Egyptian_chronology</ref><ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v26/i4/pyramids.asp</ref>

[[Young earth creationists]] point to an increasing body of evidence which suggests that the history of ancient Egypt is shorter, by several millennia, than most scholars have previously supposed.<ref>http://creation.com/egyptian-history-and-the-biblical-record-a-perfect-match</ref><ref>http://www.creationwiki.org/Egyptian_chronology</ref><ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v26/i4/pyramids.asp</ref> Egyptologists, such as Peter James, author of ''Centuries of Darkness'' (1991),<ref>https://www.centuries.co.uk/index.htm</ref> and other scholars such as David Rohl, D.A. Courville, and David Down, (none of whom are known to believe in a young earth) argue that rather than linear Egyptian chronology, several dynasties existed simultaneously with each other. The revised Egyptian chronology requires a far shorter timespan, in line with a [[Young earth creationism|young Earth]], and fits better with the biblical record and an early Exodus.<ref>McClellan, Matt (August 24, 2011). [https://answersingenesis.org/archaeology/ancient-egypt/ancient-egyptian-chronology-and-the-book-of-genesis/ Ancient Egyptian Chronology and the Book of Genesis]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved April 8, 2017.</ref><ref>Mitchell, Elizabeth (July 22, 2010). [https://answersingenesis.org/archaeology/ancient-egypt/doesnt-egyptian-chronology-prove-bible-unreliable/ Chapter 24 -- Doesn’t Egyptian Chronology Prove That the Bible Is Unreliable?]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved April 8, 2017.</ref>

=== Old Kingdom ===

=== Old Kingdom ===

The [[Old Kingdom]] covers Dynasties 3 to 6 (circa 2800 – 2186 BC). Although it has been argued by some that it should include Dynasties 1 – 3, and by others that it should only cover Dynasties 4 – 6, though 3 to 6 is the most widely accepted, beginning as it does with the revolutionary architecture of [[Djoser]].  

The [[Old Kingdom]] covers Dynasties 3 to 6 (circa 2800 – 2186 BC). Although it has been argued by some that it should include Dynasties 1 – 3, and by others that it should only cover Dynasties 4 – 6, though 3 to 6 is the most widely accepted, beginning as it does with the revolutionary architecture of [[Djoser]].  

The Old Kingdom is in many ways the zenith of the [[Divine Kingship]], and sees Pharaonic culture at its most confident and powerful, expressed in this periods most famous monuments, the Giza [[Pyramids]].  During this period the Egyptian state developed an all encompassing and highly organised bureaucracy, organised into a strictly hierarchical and highly centralised structure dominated by the [[Pharaoh]], who exercised an extremely high degree of control over resources.  The Old Kingdom also saw the Fourth Dynasty's construction of the [[Great Pyramid]] and the [[Sphinx]].<ref>"Egypt."  ''The New Encyclopedia Britannica''.  15th ed.</ref>

The Old Kingdom is in many ways the zenith of the [[Divine Kingship]], and sees Pharaonic culture at its most confident and powerful, expressed in this period's most famous monuments, the Giza [[Pyramids]].  During this period the Egyptian state developed an all-encompassing and highly organised bureaucracy, organised into a strictly hierarchical and highly centralised structure dominated by the [[Pharaoh]], who exercised an extremely high degree of control over resources.  The Old Kingdom also saw the Fourth Dynasty's construction of the [[Great Pyramid]] and the [[Sphinx]].<ref>"Egypt."  ''The New Encyclopedia Britannica''.  15th ed.</ref>

The Old Kingdom came to an end in circumstances that are far from clear, but seem to be linked to the extremely long rule of Pepi II, at 96 years, the longest reigning monarch in history.

The Old Kingdom came to an end in circumstances that are far from clear, but seem to be linked to the extremely long rule of Pepi II, at 96 years, the longest reigning monarch in history.

A similar chain of fortresses secured the [[Sinai]] peninsula and Eastern delta, known as the [[Horus Road]] and [[Walls of the Ruler]]. These secured the overland route to [[Asia]], and defended the boarder. Despite this military strength, only a single expedition into Asia itself was carried out,  

A similar chain of fortresses secured the [[Sinai]] peninsula and Eastern delta, known as the [[Horus Road]] and [[Walls of the Ruler]]. These secured the overland route to [[Asia]], and defended the boarder. Despite this military strength, only a single expedition into Asia itself was carried out,  

The grim work of re-unification and securing the borders left an indelible mark of the ideology of the period. Literature of the time often harks back to the chaos of the 1st Intermediate Period, and the ideal of importance of loyalty to, and adoration of, the ruler is also a strong theme.

The grim work of re-unification and securing the borders left an indelible mark of the ideology of the period. Literature of the time often harks back to the chaos of the 1st Intermediate Period, and the ideal of the importance of loyalty to, and adoration of, the ruler is also a strong theme.

Statuary of the time shows the great Pharaohs of the period with serious, stern expressions, showing a human side that planned and fought long and hard to reunify a fractured nation and to push on to new boundaries deep into hostile territory. This signaled a break with the past, and the future, for both the [[Old Kingdom]] and all successive periods (with the exception of [[Amarna]]) showing the Pharaoh in the traditional manner, in a state of divine serenity.   

Statuary of the time shows the great Pharaohs of the period with serious, stern expressions, showing a human side that planned and fought long and hard to reunify a fractured nation and to push on to new boundaries deep into hostile territory. This signaled a break with the past, and the future, for both the [[Old Kingdom]] and all successive periods (with the exception of [[Amarna]]) showing the Pharaoh in the traditional manner, in a state of divine serenity.   

The [[Middle Kingdom]] met it’s end in the mid-13th Dynasty, as foreign influence permeated the heavily defended Sinai, eventually providing the momentum for an Asiatic dynasty to seize the Delta and Middle Egypt, and hold it for approximately 100 years.

The [[Middle Kingdom]] met its end in the mid-13th Dynasty, as foreign influence permeated the heavily defended Sinai, eventually providing the momentum for an Asiatic dynasty to seize the Delta and Middle Egypt, and hold it for approximately 100 years.

=== New Kingdom ===

=== New Kingdom ===

The [[New Kingdom]] is often called Egypt’s “Age of Empire”. Following the war of Reunification led by the 17th Dynasty, [[Ahmose I]] finally managed to liberate and reunify Egypt, founding the [[18th Dynasty]] and the [[New Kingdom]] in approximately 1500BC.

The [[New Kingdom]] is often called Egypt’s “Age of Empire”. Following the war of Reunification led by the 17th Dynasty, [[Ahmose I]] finally managed to liberate and reunify Egypt, founding the [[18th Dynasty]] and the [[New Kingdom]] in approximately 1500BC.

The Pharaohs of the 18th Dynasty re-invented the Egyptian military forces, adopting the most advanced weapons of the day. Egyptian tactics were also revolutionized, becoming highly innovative. Many Egyptian campaigns of this period are regarded as military genius, with [[Thutmose III]] being regarded by most as the “[[Napoleon]] of Egypt”. These campaigns ultimately created a sprawling and varied Egyptian empire, stretching from [[Gebel Barkal]] to the [[Euphrates]], and a zone of influence far beyond.  

The Pharaohs of the 18th Dynasty re-invented the Egyptian military forces, adopting the most advanced weapons of the day. Egyptian tactics were also revolutionized, becoming highly innovative. Many Egyptian campaigns of this period are regarded as military geniuses, with [[Thutmose III]] being regarded by most as the “[[Napoleon]] of Egypt”. These campaigns ultimately created a sprawling and varied Egyptian empire, stretching from [[Gebel Barkal]] to the [[Euphrates]], and a zone of influence far beyond.  

It was at the height of this time of greatness that Egypt was plunged into turmoil. The heretical ruler, [[Amunhotep IV]], changed his name to [[Akhenaten]] and embraced a corrupted form of the Solar Cult as an absolutist [[monotheistic]] belief. Traditional temples were closed, and the capital city moved to a desert plain in Middle Egypt, where a new capital was established, named [[Akhetaten]]. Akhenaten died after 17 years on the throne, and both his cult and capital both died with him.

It was at the height of this time of greatness that Egypt was plunged into turmoil. The heretical ruler, [[Amunhotep IV]], changed his name to [[Akhenaten]] and embraced a corrupted form of the Solar Cult as an absolutist [[monotheistic]] belief. Traditional temples were closed, and the capital city moved to a desert plain in Middle Egypt, where a new capital was established, named [[Akhetaten]]. Akhenaten died after 17 years on the throne, and both his cult and capital both died with him.

=== Late Period ===

=== Late Period ===

It was with a sense of irony, that the impetus for re-unifying Egypt and rebuilding her former power would come from Nubia. The 25th Dynasty advanced out of their base at [[Napata]], and secured all of [[Upper Egypt]] by a process of gradual conquest, winning recognition from local nonarchs and forming a confederacy. The Assyrians, with their vassals in the Delta, were alarmed, advanced south and sacked [[Thebes]]. However, the example had been made, and with the help of Greek mercenaries, [[Psamtik I]] of [[Sais]] freed himself from his [[Assyrian]] overlord, and reunified Egypt.

It was with a sense of irony, that the impetus for re-unifying Egypt and rebuilding her former power would come from Nubia. The 25th Dynasty advanced out of their base at [[Napata]], and secured all of [[Upper Egypt]] by a process of gradual conquest, winning recognition from local monarchs and forming a confederacy. The Assyrians, with their vassals in the Delta, were alarmed, advanced south and sacked [[Thebes]]. However, the example had been made, and with the help of Greek mercenaries, [[Psamtik I]] of [[Sais]] freed himself from his [[Assyrian]] overlord, and reunified Egypt.

The 26th Dynasty harked back to the [[Old Kingdom]] for it’s inspiration, in art religion and ideals of Kingship, and the period is often referred to as the “[[Saite Renaissance]]” or “Archaic Renaissance”.  

The 26th Dynasty harked back to the [[Old Kingdom]] for its inspiration, in art religion and ideals of Kingship, and the period is often referred to as the “[[Saite Renaissance]]” or “Archaic Renaissance”.  

The [[Late Period]] saw increased contact with the Hellenic world, with many Greek mercenaries serving in the Egyptian military, and a Greek merchants settling in the purpose built trading center of [[Naukratis]]. This ultimately proved fatal, and in 525 BC, [[Persian]] forces, with a large number of Greek mercenaries conquered Egypt following the defection of a key Egyptian mercenary commander, [[Phanes of Hallicarnassus]].  

The [[Late Period]] saw increased contact with the Hellenic world, with many Greek mercenaries serving in the Egyptian military, and Greek merchants settling in the purpose built the trading center of [[Naukratis]]. This ultimately proved fatal, and in 525 BC, [[Persian]] forces, with a large number of Greek mercenaries, conquered Egypt following the defection of a key Egyptian mercenary commander, [[Phanes of Hallicarnassus]].  

Egypt liberated herself from Perisan rule in 404BC, bringing to power the 29th and 30th Dynasties, the last sustained period of Egyptian native rule. The second Persian occupation was much more brief, lasting just over a decade from 343BC until the invasion of [[Alexander]] in 332BC.

Egypt liberated herself from Persian rule in 404BC, bringing to power the 29th and 30th Dynasties, the last sustained period of Egyptian native rule. The second Persian occupation was much more brief, lasting just over a decade from 343BC until the invasion of [[Alexander]] in 332BC.

=== Ptolemaic Period ===

=== Ptolemaic Period ===

=== Roman/Byzantine/Coptic Period ===

=== Roman/Byzantine/Coptic Period ===

Roman rule attempted to integrate Egypt into the trading system of the [[Roman empire]], utilizing the wealth and productivity of Egyptian agriculture to supply the Rome and it’s army, and became increasingly exploitative, leading [[Rome]] to maintain three legions in the country. Traditional Roman tolerance of other religions and ways of life also assisted their moves to consolidate control, but administrative reforms did not help the gradual decline brought about by over exploitation, unrest, and Rome’s problems elsewhere. The rise of [[Christianity]] led to further pressures, and by the time of the [[Arab]] invasion, Egypt had become depopulated, with most of her cities lying abandoned.

Roman rule attempted to integrate Egypt into the trading system of the [[Roman empire]], utilizing the wealth and productivity of Egyptian agriculture to supply the Rome and it’s army, and became increasingly exploitative, leading [[Rome]] to maintain three legions in the country. Traditional Roman tolerance of other religions and ways of life also assisted their moves to consolidate control, but administrative reforms did not help the gradual decline brought about by over-exploitation, unrest, and Rome’s problems elsewhere. The rise of [[Christianity]] led to further pressures, and by the time of the [[Arab]] invasion, Egypt had become depopulated, with most of her cities lying abandoned.

== Government ==

== Government ==