3100-2770 BCE: Egypt - During this period in ancient Egypt, the Archaic period, Narmer unites Egypt. Hieroglyphic writing develops.

2772 BCE: Egypt - The 365 day calendar is introduced.

2700 BCE: Egypt - King Djoser founds the third dynasty in Egypt thereby issuing the period of the Old Kingdom, which lasts until 2200. He also builds the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the first known pyramid in Egypt. During the Old Kingdom, the power of the pharoah is absolute.

2560 BCE: Egypt - Pharoah Khufu builds the Great Pyramid of Cheops.

2200 BCE: Egypt - The first intermediate period begins with the collapse of the Old Kingdom, mostly because of crop failure combined with low revenue due to the pyramid building projects. It ends in 2050.

2050 BCE: Egypt - The period of the Middle Kingdom begins with its capital at Thebes. It ends in 1786. Around this time, an early political treatise, The Plea of the Eloquent Peasant, is written, calling for a benevolent ruler.

2000 BCE: Egypt - The Egyptians domesticate the cat for the purpose of catching snakes. Around this time, advances in astronomy enable the Egyptians to predict the annual flooding of the Nile.

1990 BCE: Egypt - The Twelfth Dynasty, Egypt's "golden" age, begins. It ends with the Middle Kingdom in 1786. During this period, power is somewhat distributed through the social classes. Religion shifts from a wealth-based system to one based on proper conduct. Queen Soreknofru is one of the rulers during this dynasty.

1786 BCE: Egypt - The second intermediate period begins due to internal dissention between the nobility and the pharaoh. It lasts until 1560.

1750 BCE: Egypt - The Hyksos occupy Egypt from Syria and Palestine and introduce the horse and chariot into Egypt. Their position is strengthened by the internal problems in the Egyptian state.

1600 BCE: Egypt - A revolution against the Hyksos begins in Upper (southern) Egypt and spreads throughout the country.

1560 BCE: Egypt - The period of the New Kingdom begins when Ahmose defeats the Hyksos and establishes the XVIII Dynasty. The New Kingom ends around 1087. Unlike earlier periods, this period is imperialistic enabled by new modes of warfare introduced into Egypt by the Hyksos. Queen Hatshepsut is one of the rulers of the XVIII Dynasty.

1500 BCE: Egypt - By this time, the kingdom of Kush has been established to the south of Egypt. The people of Kush, known as the Kushites, are dark-complexioned Negroids.

1375 BCE: Egypt - Amenhotep IV (Akhenaton), concerned about abuses in the Osiris cult of Egypt, posits a new monotheistic religion, perhaps the first, dedicated to the worship of the sun. He moves the capital of Egypt from Thebes to El-Amarna. The new religion does not last long; the cult of Akhenaton is abolished under the reign of his successor, Pharaoh Tutankhamen ("King Tut"), who moves the capital back to Thebes and returns to the old religion. Akhenaton's beautiful wife, Nefertiti, achieves her own position in world history.

1304-1237 BCE: Egypt - Rameses II ("the Great") rules Egypt.

1250 BCE: Egypt - Under the direction of Moses, the Israelites leave Egypt and head for the "promised land."

1182 BCE: Egypt - Rameses III defeats the Sea People. Rameses is pharaoh until 1151. He is the last great pharaoh to rule in Egypt. In 1175 he builds his temple palace at Medinet Habu.

750 BCE: Egypt - Kashta, the ruler of Kush, begins a campaign against Egypt. With the help of his son, Piankhy, he is successful. Piankhy becomes pharaoh of Egypt.

671 BCE: Egypt - Egypt is conquered by the Assyrians. But when the Assyrian empire collapses just under ten years later, Egypt enjoys a century or so of independence.

525 BCE: Egypt - Egypt is conquered by the Persians, who rule until 405. From this point onward, Egypt is ruled by Persian or Greek forces.

343-332 BCE: Egypt - The Persians rule Egypt for a second time.

332-331 BCE: Egypt - Alexander the Great occupies Egypt and founds the city of Alexandria.

305 BCE: Egypt - The Hellenistic Ptolemaic Dynasty begins.

311-383 CE: Egypt - The Arian Controversy, a Christian theological dispute over the precise relationship between the members of the Trinity, threatens the unity of the Christian churches in the East.

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