Old Kingdom

The Old Kingdom is generally described as the period from the Third Dynasty through to the Sixth Dynasty (2686 BC-2181 BC). This period was followed by the First Intermediate Period, when central authority declined and the country fragmented into different factions. However, a number of Egyptologists also include the Memphite Seventh and Eighth Dynasties (of the First Intermediate Period) in the Old Kingdom because there is evidence that Memphis retained a fairly high degree of control over much of the country. A huge number of pyramids were constructed, and so the Old Kingdom is frequently referred to as "the Pyramid Age".

Djoser established his royal court in Memphis at the beginning of the Third Dynasty. He also built the Step Pyramid at Saqqara with the help of his famous vizier, Imhotep, and so began the trend of building pyramids. The Fourth Dynasty saw the construction of the Pyramids at Giza including the Great Pyramid and the sphinx. This period marked the height of pharonic power during the Old Kingdom. However, the Fifth Dynasty pharaoh Userkhaf initiated reforms that weakened both the Pharaoh and central government. His reign was followed by a period of intermittent civil war as a result of the reforms and the strain put on the treasury by the building works of the previous dynasty. There was widespread famine caused by the civil wars and by a period of cooling in the area which reduced and occassionally eliminated the nile flooding on which their food supplies depended. Central authority crumbled and power returned to local nomarchs.