Thinite Period: The Thinite period, also known as the Archaic period, always refers to the first 2 dynasties, the tombs of the kings of this period have been found at Abydos as well as those of some from the second dynasty. Most of the pharaohs of the Thinite period had a second tomb in the region of Memphis of which the condition proved that the early kings were not buried near the new political capital of Egypt. These 2 dynasties formed a single entity lasting for almost 500 years during which the Egyptian civilization developed its characteristic traits. This period is a poorly known phase, essentially because of a lack of surviving texts. The main source of evidence, apart from the Palermo stone, is the funerary equipment from the tombs at Abydos and Saqqara.
Old Kingdom: The Old kingdom is the name was given to the period in-between the 3rd and 6th dynasties. In fact, the beginning of the Old kingdom was very similar to the Thinite period. Although the Old Kingdom is considered as a period of national security and wealth, it was traced by a period of dissension and values decline. During this period, Horus was exemplified in the pharaoh on the earth. He has the ultimate strength over everything and all the people were under his control. The Old kingdom was also very famous for its large number of pyramids, it is known as `Age of the Pyramids`.
First Intermediate Period: Egypt`s First Intermediate period which took place after the fall of the 6th Dynasty and the end of the Old Kingdom, this period encloses the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th dynasties as well as the first half of the 11th dynasty. This period covered approximately 100 years and it was a dark period during which the two kingdoms of Egypt (Upper and Lower Egypt) were separated. The First Intermediate Period was a period of chaos as the temples were vandalized, and the sculptures of kings were damaged and everything became in ruins, very little monuments survive nowadays dating to this period.
Middle Kingdom: The Middle kingdom (the 11th and 12th dynasties) was started by Montuhotep II of the 11th Dynasty who succeeded Inyotef III, Mentuhotep II fought against the Herakleopolitan Dynasty and caused its fall. He terminated the First Intermediate period by the rise of a new era and a powerful king who was originated from Upper Egypt, and eventually reunified the two kingdoms and he is considered as the second unifier of two lands and who started the Middle Kingdom. This kingdom was known as a period of prosperity and peace, economic conditions were flourished. A new style of art was introduced during the second half of the 12th dynasty, it depended on the realistic depiction of kings and not to show the king in his ideal form. The Middle kingdom did not last to long.
Second Intermediate Period: The second intermediate period is the period from the 13th Dynasty to the 17th Dynasty. It did not begin directly after the fall of the 12th Dynasty and it was simply a convenient label for a chronological gap, since only the dates of its beginning and end are definitely known, it began with the death of Queen Sobekneferu and lasted until the rise to power of Ahmose. Between these two dates is a period of about 200 years, the first half of the 2nd intermediate period is documented and very few knowledge is known about it beyond the names rulers mentioned in the kings-list. At first, the 13th Dynasty was the only power in the land, but then it encountered opposition from the princes of Xios and Avaris in the Delta; the Hyksos period (15th, 16th and 17th Dynasties) was eventually terminated by Ahmose who expelled them.
New Kingdom: The New kingdom is the period which covers from the 18th Dynasty till the 20th Dynasty; it is the most famous and most powerful kingdom in ancient Egypt with a number of legendary kings ruled during this period. The 18th Dynasty was founded by Ahmose who defeated the Hyksos. During the New Kingdom, the frontiers of Egypt expanded and Egypt was a great empire. The borders of Egypt extended during this era from Euphrates North to Napata South. Religious changes took place during the 18th Dynasty; the cult of Amen was completely neglected when Amenhotep IV ascended the throne and then changed his name to Akhenaten to be associated with god Aten, he called for monotheism and to worship only one god. Later, after Akhenaten`s death and the end of the Amarna Period, when Tutankhaten inherited the throne, then after a while he changed his name to Tutakhamen, returned the capital to Thebes and reopened Amen`s temples. Before the end of this kingdom, a succession of `Ramses` kings ruled Egypt during the 20th dynasty the last one was Ramses XI who was the last ruler of the New kingdom. The 20th Dyasty was a period during which the tomb robberies spread, especially in the time of Ramses IX and Ramses XI.
Third Intermediate Period: The Third Intermediate Period refers to the time in-between the 21st dynasty to the 25th dynasty in ancient Egypt. In fact, this period is characterized by disorder, kings were very weak, and the 21st dynasty was founded by Smendes I who was a high Priest of Amen. Many of the Third Intermediate Period`s rulers were not Egyptians. The 25th Dynasty of Egypt, the last dynasty of the Third Intermediate Period, lasted for almost 200 years before the rise of the 26th dynasty which caused its fall.
Late Period: The Late Period of the Pharaonic era covers the period from 26th dynasty till the 30th dynasty. During the reign of Nectanebo II of the 30th dynasty, the Persian rulers succeeded to capture Egypt after several attempts until the time of Alexander the Great who beat the Persian and took Egypt to be part of the Macedonian Empire, and this was the end of the Pharaonic era.
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