2345–2323 BCE
6th Dynasty of Egypt
2345–2181 BCE
The 6th Dynasty is the final dynasty of the Old Kingdom. Teti, Pepi I, Merenre and Pepi II built pyramids at Saqqara and sent expeditions to Nubia and the Levant, recorded in the tomb inscriptions of officials such as Weni and Harkhuf.
Pepi II is credited with a very long reign, during which provincial governors grew steadily more powerful. The dynasty's end leads into the fragmentation of the First Intermediate Period, a change with several causes rather than a single collapse.
- Period
- Old Kingdom
- Dates
- 2345–2181 BCE
- Rulers profiled
- 7
Rulers of the 6th Dynasty
Best-known rulers: Teti; Pepi I; Merenre I; Pepi II. Every ruler profile in the archive for this dynasty, in the order used by the chronology. Each name links to a full profile with dates, background, sources and illustrations.
2323–2321 BCE
2321–2287 BCE
2287–2278 BCE
2278–2184 BCE
2184 BCE
2184–2181 BCE
Major monuments
- South Saqqara pyramids
- Weni and Harkhuf tombs
Key events
- Nubian and Levantine expeditions
- gradual weakening of central authority.
Reading the evidence
The Old Kingdom’s end has multiple causes.
Sources: UCL Digital Egypt; Metropolitan Museum; Shaw (2000). See the full bibliography.