| Dates | Period | Significant Events |
| 3100– B.C.E. |
Archaic | Unification of Egypt |
| 2660– B.C.E. |
Old Kingdom | Construction of the pyramids |
| 2180– B.C.E. |
First Intermediate | Political disunity |
| 2080– B.C.E. |
Middle Kingdom | Recovery and political stability |
| 1640– B.C.E. |
Second Intermediate | Hyksos migrations; struggles for power |
| 1570– B.C.E. |
New Kingdom | Creation of an Egyptian empire; growth in wealth |
| 1070– B.C.E. |
Third Intermediate | Political fragmentation and conquest by outsiders (see Chapter 2) |