๐“ƒน Ancient Egyptian Rulers

Complete dynastic index

Ancient Egyptian pharaohs by dynasty

Explore 225 kings, queens and ruling houses across more than three millennia of Egyptian history. This index organises every illustrated Pharaoh Archive profile by historical period and dynasty, complementing the chronological and alphabetical views on the main page.

Dates and dynastic placement can be disputed, particularly during periods of divided rule. Each name below links directly to a static encyclopedia profile with chronology, historical context, sources and illustrations.

Early Dynastic Period

The Early Dynastic Period saw the consolidation of kingship and central government along the Nile. Its rulers established royal titles, court traditions and burial practices that shaped the pharaonic state.

1st Dynasty

c.3000-2890 BCE

2nd Dynasty

2890-2686 BCE

Old Kingdom

The Old Kingdom is closely associated with pyramid building, increasingly complex administration and the growing authority of solar cults. The rulers below span the great monument-building dynasties and their eventual fragmentation.

3rd Dynasty

2686-2613 BCE

4th Dynasty

2613-2494 BCE

5th Dynasty

2494-2345 BCE

6th Dynasty

2345-2181 BCE

First Intermediate Period

During the First Intermediate Period, competing regional centres and short-lived royal lines followed the decline of Old Kingdom central power. The surviving chronology remains especially uncertain.

7th/8th Dynasties

2181-2160 BCE

9th/10th Dynasties

2160-2025 BCE

11th Dynasty (Theban, early)

2125-2055 BCE

Middle Kingdom

The Middle Kingdom restored a strong central monarchy and expanded Egyptian influence into Nubia. Its rulers combined administrative reform, military activity and an enduring literary and artistic legacy.

11th Dynasty (all Egypt)

2055-1985 BCE

12th Dynasty

1985-1773 BCE

Middle Kingdom / Second Intermediate Period

These rulers occupy the contested transition from the later Middle Kingdom into the Second Intermediate Period, when overlapping dynasties and incomplete king lists make precise sequence difficult.

13th Dynasty

c. 1773โ€“1650 BCE (conventional; disputed)

13th Dynasty โ€” uncertain late candidates

c. late 13th Dynasty; placement disputed

Late Middle Kingdom / Second Intermediate Period

The later Middle Kingdom and Second Intermediate Period contain numerous short or poorly documented reigns. Archaeological finds, scarabs and fragmentary king lists provide much of the evidence.

14th Dynasty

c. 1800โ€“1650 BCE (Ryholt-style; disputed)

14th Dynasty โ€” contested seal-name rulers

c. 1800โ€“1650 BCE (Ryholt-style; disputed)

14th Dynasty โ€” damaged Turin entries

c. 1800โ€“1650 BCE (Ryholt-style; disputed)

14th Dynasty โ€” unplaced / contested late names

c. 1800โ€“1650 BCE (Ryholt-style; disputed)

Second Intermediate Period

The Second Intermediate Period was marked by divided rule, including Hyksos power in the north and Theban resistance in the south, before Egypt was reunified under the founders of the New Kingdom.

15th Dynasty (Hyksos)

1650-1550 BCE

16th Dynasty (Theban)

c.1650-1580 BCE

17th Dynasty (Theban)

c.1580-1550 BCE

New Kingdom

The New Kingdom produced many of Egyptโ€™s best-known rulers and its greatest territorial reach. This period includes the 18th Dynasty, the Amarna transformation and the Ramesside kings.

18th Dynasty

1550-1295 BCE

19th Dynasty

1295-1186 BCE

20th Dynasty

1186-1069 BCE

Third Intermediate Period

The Third Intermediate Period combined divided political authority with influential Libyan and Kushite dynasties. Several royal lines ruled concurrently from different regional centres.

21st Dynasty (Tanite)

1069-945 BCE

22nd Dynasty (Bubastite/Libyan)

945-715 BCE

23rd Dynasty (classification disputed)

945-715 BCE

23rd Dynasty (Libyan)

818-715 BCE

24th Dynasty (Saite)

727-715 BCE

25th Dynasty (Kushite/Nubian)

747-656 BCE

Late Period

Late Period Egypt experienced native revivals alongside repeated Persian conquest. Its rulers maintained long-established pharaonic traditions while confronting powerful external empires.

26th Dynasty (Saite)

664-525 BCE

27th Dynasty (First Persian Period)

525-404 BCE

28th Dynasty

404-399 BCE

29th Dynasty (Mendesian)

399-380 BCE

30th Dynasty (Sebennytos)

380-343 BCE

31st Dynasty (Second Persian Period)

343-332 BCE

Macedonian (Argead) Period

The Macedonian conquest placed Egypt within the empire of Alexander the Great and the succession struggles that followed his death, preparing the way for Ptolemaic rule.

Macedonian Dynasty

332-305 BCE

Ptolemaic Period

The Ptolemaic dynasty fused Macedonian royal power with Egyptian pharaonic traditions. Its rulers governed from Alexandria until the Roman annexation of Egypt after the reign of Cleopatra VII.

Ptolemaic kings

305-30 BCE