Leaders+and+Events

__Events and Leaders__ Old Kingdom 2686 BC – 2181 BC Dynasty 3 to 6

3rd Dynasty: 2686 – 2613 -2667 – 2648: King Djoser requests royal architect Imhotep to design world’s first major stone building – the Step Pyramid at Saqqara. Djoser also establishes court in Memphis.

4th Dynasty: 2613 – 2494 -2613 – 2589: Sneferu the founder of dynasty 4, built 2 pyramids in Dashur, and the Meidum pyramid. -2589 – 2566: Khufu (Cheops) creates Great Pyramid of Giza, largest one built. -2558 – 2553: Chephren builds second pyramid and Great Sphinx at Giza. -2528 – 2500: Mycerinus builds third pyramid at Giza.

5th Dynasty: 2494 – 2345 -2494 – 2487: Userkaf promote sun cult. Sun temple built at Abu Ghorub and small pyramid at Saqqara. -2473 – 2463: Neferirkare (Kakai) built pryramid at buser. -2375 – 2345: Unas. Pyramids are once again built at Saqqara; Unas’s pyramid complex has the best preserved causeway and contains the earliest examples of Pyramid Texts.

6th Dynasty: 2345 – 2181 -2345 – 2333: Teti builds his pyramid in Saqqara. -2322 – 2282: Pepy 1 builds his pyramid in Saqqara. -2269 – 2181: Pepy 2 longest reigning pharaoh for 94 years.

Intermediate Period: 2181 – 1975 -Pharaoh lost power. -Severe drought from 2200 – 2150, famine for 140 years. -Governors realize their power and split up into separate estates. Giza pyramids.