| Dates | Period | Significant Events |
| 3100–2660 B.C.E. | Archaic | Unification of Egypt |
| 2660–2180 B.C.E. | Old Kingdom | Construction of the pyramids |
| 2180–2080 B.C.E. | First Intermediate | Political disunity |
| 2080–1640 B.C.E. | Middle Kingdom | Recovery and political stability |
| 1640–1570 B.C.E. | Second Intermediate | Hyksos migrations; struggles for power |
| 1570–1070 B.C.E. | New Kingdom | Creation of an Egyptian empire; growth in wealth |
| 1070–712 B.C.E. | Third Intermediate | Political fragmentation and conquest by outsiders (see Chapter 2) |