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Egypt    →   Old Kingdom    →    ©
Period or Event King Time-Frame Overview
Old Kingdom 2700-2200 BC 2575-2125 BC The Old Kingdom was a stable and prosperous period that followed Egypt’s development during the Early Dynastic Period. Government power was held by the king, who was regarding as more divine than in any other period. The state religion focused on the sun-god Re, especially in the Fifth Dynasty when special solar temples were erected at Abu Gurab. From this date onwards every king bore the title Son of Re. Expeditions were sent outside Egypt’s frontiers to obtain goods. Copper was mined in Sinai; diorite was brought in from quarries in Nubia; and trade was conducted with the Near East. Some tomb inscriptions of Sixth Dynasty nobles describe in detail the expeditions they commanded, some using force and others peace. Under the strain of reduced central authority and growing provincial power, the Old Kingdom collapsed at the end of the Sixth Dynasty following the long reign of King Pepi II.
Third Dynasty 2650-2575 BC
Fourth Dynasty 2575-2450 BC
Fifth Dynasty 2450-2325 BC
Sixth Dynasty 2325-2125 BC
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Bibliography

Hamiton 2007, xxiii

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