History glossary
Old Kingdom
the early period of unified Egyptian history famous for strong kingship and pyramid building.
- Category
- Historical period
- Region
- Ancient Egypt
- Date range
- c. 2686-2181 BCE
What it means
The Old Kingdom was the phase of ancient Egyptian history, especially the Third to Sixth Dynasties, when centralized royal power reached an early peak. It is best known for the pyramid age, including the great monuments at Giza.
Related terms
Stories using this term
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Ancient Egypt
Follow Ancient Egypt from its unification around 3100 BCE to Cleopatra's defeat in 30 BCE. This story explains how the Nile River, pharaohs, pyramids, gods, temples, hieroglyphics and burial beliefs helped one of history's longest-lasting civilizations endure for more than 3,000 years.
