Dating based on William Murnane, The Penguin Guide to Ancient Egypt, Penguin Books, rev. ed., 1996.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
You will find different dates in different books; the further back in time, the greater the uncertainty. Chronologies are based on a number of sources, some more reliable than others. The general outline of dynasties comes from the Greek writer Manetho, who divided Egyptian history into families of rulers. Modern scholars have cast doubt on certain details, but the system is more or less fixed in stone.
You will sometimes encounter the terms C.E. (Common Era) and B.C.E. (Before the Common Era) instead of B.C. (Before Christ) and A.D. (Anno Domini). There is a reason for this, but I can’t see the point of changing terms that have been in use so long.
ARCHAIC PERIOD. 3150–2686 B.C.
Dynasty O. Scorpion, Aha, Narmer
Dynasty I. Unification. Menes, Djer, Djet, Den, Queen Merneith
Dynasty II. Peribsen, Khasekhemui
THE OLD KINGDOM. 2686–2181 B.C.
Dynasty III. Step Pyramid. Djoser, Khaba, Huni
Dynasty IV. Pyramids of Dahshur, Medum, Giza. Snefru, Khufu, Khafre, Menkaure
Dynasty V. Userkaf, Sahure, Unis
Dynasty VI. Teti, Pepi I, Mernere, Pepi II
FIRST INTERMEDIATE PERIOD. 2181–2040 B.C. Breakdown of central government
Dynasties VII–X. Some partially overlapping.
MIDDLE KINGDOM. 2040–1782 B.C. Reunification
Dynasty XI. Intefs and Mentuhoteps
Dynasty XII. Amenemhats and Senuserts, Queen Sobekneferu
SECOND INTERMEDIATE PERIOD. 1782–1570 B.C. Breakdown of central government.
Dynasty XIII–XVI. Some overlapping. Hyksos
Dynasty XVII. Sekenenre Tao II, Kamose 1663–1570 B.C.
NEW KINGDOM. 1570–1070 B.C. Reunification
Dynasty XVIII. Ahmose, Amenhoteps and Thutmoses, Queen Hatshepsut, Akhenaton, Tutankhamon, Ay, Harmhab
Dynasty XIX. Seti I, Ramses I and II, Merneptah, Queen Tausert
Dynasty XX. Ramses III–XI, Herihor
THIRD INTERMEDIATE PERIOD. 1070–525 B.C.
Dynasty XXI Smendes, Psusennes, Pinudjem
Dynasty XXII Libyan. Sheshonks, Osorkons, Takelots
Dynasties XXIII–XXIV. Libyan. Country divided.
Dynasty XXV. Cushite. Piankhi, Shabaka, Taharka
Dynasty XXVI. Saite. Psamtiks, Necho, Apries
LATE PERIOD. 525–332 B.C.
Dynasty XXVII. First Persian
Dynasty XXVIII–XXIX. Egyptian dynasts
Dynasty XXX. Nectanebo I and II
Dynasty XXXI. Second Persian
PTOLEMAIC. Conquest by Alexander the Great, 332 B.C.
Succeeded by Ptolemies and Cleopatras.
ROMAN. Conquest by Julius Caesar, 30 B.C. Egypt a Roman province.