Ancient Egypt

Explore the fascinating world of Ancient Egypt, from the construction of the mighty pyramids to the reign of legendary pharaohs and the mysteries of mummification. This collection chronicles the most significant events of one of history's greatest civilizations, including the rise and fall of dynasties, groundbreaking archaeological discoveries, and the cultural achievements that continue to captivate minds today.

27 events in this collection

January 1, 3101 BC

Unification of Ancient Egypt

Around 3100 BCE, King Narmer unified Upper and Lower Egypt, creating the world's first nation-state. This historic achievement combined military conquest and political alliances, establishing a powerful kingdom that would dominate the region for millennia.

January 1, 2561 BC

Great Pyramid of Giza Construction

The Great Pyramid of Giza, built around 2560 BCE during the Fourth Dynasty of Egypt's Old Kingdom, stands as humanity's most remarkable architectural achievement. Rising 481 feet, it remained the world's tallest human-made structure for over 3,800 years.

January 1, 2056 BC

Temple of Karnak Construction Begins

Construction of the Temple of Karnak, ancient Egypt's most magnificent religious complex, began under Pharaoh Senusret I. Starting as a modest shrine to Amun-Ra, it evolved over 2,000 years into a vast 200-acre religious center featuring massive pylons, grand halls, and intricate religious architecture.

January 1, 2056 BC

Construction of Karnak Temple Complex

The Karnak Temple Complex, initiated around 2055 BCE, evolved over 2000 years to become the largest religious complex ever built in ancient Egypt. Starting as a modest shrine during the Middle Kingdom, it expanded significantly during the New Kingdom period, featuring contributions from numerous pharaohs including Senusret I, Hatshepsut, and Ramesses II.

January 1, 1540 BC

Valley of the Kings Establishment

The Valley of the Kings became ancient Egypt's premier royal burial ground in 1539 BCE, marking a revolutionary shift from pyramid tombs to hidden rock-cut chambers. Located in Luxor's western desert, this necropolis was chosen for its natural limestone cliffs and isolated location.

January 1, 1505 BC

Battle of Naharin

A decisive battle fought between Ancient Egypt under Pharaoh Thutmose I and the Mitanni kingdom along the Euphrates River. This battle marked Egypt's most significant territorial expansion into Western Asia and established Egypt as a dominant military power in the region.

January 1, 1479 BC

Hatshepsut Becomes Egypt's Female Pharaoh

In 1478 BCE, Queen Hatshepsut ascended to the throne of ancient Egypt following the death of her husband Thutmose II, becoming one of history's most remarkable female pharaohs. Initially serving as regent for her young stepson Thutmose III, she gradually assumed full pharaonic powers.

January 1, 1459 BC

Thutmose III Becomes Sole Ruler of Egypt

In 1458 BCE, Thutmose III assumed complete control of ancient Egypt following the death of his stepmother and co-regent Hatshepsut, marking the beginning of one of Egypt's most successful reigns. He would go on to lead 17 military campaigns and establish Egypt's largest empire.

April 19, 1458 BC

Battle of Megiddo

The Battle of Megiddo in 1457 BCE marked the first reliably documented battle in world history, where Pharaoh Thutmose III led Egyptian forces against a coalition of 330 Canaanite cities, resulting in a decisive victory that established Egyptian dominance in the Levant region.

1401 BC

Construction of Luxor Temple

The magnificent Luxor Temple began construction around 1400 BCE during Egypt's New Kingdom period, initiated by Pharaoh Amenhotep III and later expanded by Ramesses II, becoming one of ancient Egypt's most significant religious complexes.

January 1, 1354 BC

First Monotheistic Religion

Pharaoh Akhenaten revolutionized ancient Egyptian religion by establishing the world's first documented monotheistic system, elevating the sun disk deity Aten to supreme status while suppressing traditional polytheistic worship.

January 1, 1337 BC

Queen Nefertiti's Disappearance

Queen Nefertiti, one of Egypt's most powerful queens, mysteriously vanished from historical records around 1336 BCE during the 12th year of Akhenaten's reign. Her sudden disappearance remains one of ancient Egypt's greatest unsolved mysteries.

January 1, 1333 BC

King Tutankhamun's Reign

Nine-year-old Tutankhamun became pharaoh of ancient Egypt in 1332 BCE, ruling for a decade during the 18th dynasty of the New Kingdom period. His reign marked a crucial return to traditional Egyptian religious practices after Akhenaten's controversial reforms.

January 1, 1333 BC

King Tutankhamun's Ascension

Nine-year-old Tutankhamun becomes pharaoh of ancient Egypt in 1332 BCE, marking the end of the Amarna period and initiating the restoration of traditional Egyptian religious practices.

January 1, 1280 BC

Ramesses II Becomes Pharaoh

At the age of 25, Ramesses II ascended to the throne of ancient Egypt following the death of his father Seti I, marking the beginning of what would become one of the most remarkable reigns in Egyptian history.

January 1, 1280 BC

Ramesses II Becomes Pharaoh

Ramesses II ascends to the throne of Egypt at age 25, becoming the third pharaoh of the Nineteenth Dynasty following the death of his father Seti I. His coronation marks the beginning of one of the longest and most prosperous reigns in Egyptian history.

May 15, 1275 BC

Battle of Kadesh

The Battle of Kadesh was one of the largest chariot battles in history, fought between Egyptian forces under Ramesses II and the Hittite army led by Muwatalli II in 1274 BCE. The battle resulted in a stalemate but led to the world's first known peace treaty.

1176 BC

Battle of Delta

In 1175 BCE, Pharaoh Ramesses III led Egyptian forces to a decisive victory against the Sea Peoples in the Nile Delta, preventing the collapse of ancient Egyptian civilization. This pivotal naval battle marked the end of the Sea Peoples' devastating campaign across the Mediterranean.

1176 BC

Battle of Djahy

The Battle of Djahy was a pivotal military conflict in 1175 BCE between Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses III and the Sea Peoples. The battle, consisting of naval and land engagements, resulted in a decisive Egyptian victory that secured Egypt's northeastern frontier.

729 BC

Battle of Memphis

A decisive battle in 728 BCE where Kushite King Piye captured Memphis from King Tefnakht, establishing Kushite dominion over Egypt and unifying Upper and Lower Egypt under the 25th Dynasty.

606 BC

Battle of Carchemish

The Battle of Carchemish in 605 BCE was a pivotal conflict where Babylonian forces under Nebuchadnezzar II defeated Egyptian army led by Pharaoh Necho II, ending Egyptian influence in the Levant and establishing Babylonian dominance in the ancient Near East.

January 1, 526 BC

Battle of Pelusium

A pivotal battle in 525 BCE where Persian forces under Cambyses II defeated Egyptian army using innovative psychological warfare tactics involving sacred animals. This battle ended Egypt's independence and established Persian rule.

April 7, 332 BC

Founding of Alexandria

Alexander the Great founded Alexandria on April 7, 331 BCE, establishing what would become the largest city in the ancient world and a vital cultural bridge between Greek and Egyptian civilizations.

January 1, 301 BC

Establishment of the Library of Alexandria

The Library of Alexandria, established around 300-290 BCE under Ptolemy I Soter, became the ancient world's largest library and research institution, housing over 500,000 scrolls at its peak.

January 1, 281 BC

Construction of Philae Temple Complex

Construction of the magnificent Philae Temple complex began around 280 BC during the Ptolemaic period, becoming one of Egypt's most important religious centers dedicated to the goddess Isis.

July 1, 640

Battle of Heliopolis

A crucial battle in July 640 CE near modern-day Cairo, where Arab Muslim forces under 'Amr ibn al-'As defeated the larger Byzantine army led by General Theodorus, leading to the Muslim conquest of Egypt.

July 1, 1799

Discovery of the Rosetta Stone

French soldiers discovered the Rosetta Stone during Napoleon's Egyptian campaign, unearthing a trilingual inscription that would later prove crucial in deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. This remarkable find near the town of Rashid became one of archaeology's most significant discoveries.