List of pharaohs facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pharaoh of Egypt
The Pschent combined the Red Crown of Lower Egypt and the White Crown of Upper Egypt.
A typical depiction of a pharaoh.
Details
Style	Five-name titulary
First monarch	Narmer (a.k.a. Menes)
Last monarch	Nectanebo II (last native) Cleopatra & Caesarion (last actual)
Formation	c. 3100 BC
Abolition	343 BC (last native pharaoh) 30 BC (last Greek pharaohs)
Residence	Varies by era
Appointer	Divine right

This is a list of the pharaohs who ruled Ancient Egypt. A pharaoh was the most powerful person in ancient Egypt. They were the religious and political leader of the people. This list begins in the Early Dynastic Period, around 3100 BC. It ends with the Ptolemaic Dynasty, when Egypt became a part of Rome in 30 BC.

The dates given are close guesses. The list of pharaohs uses the dates of Ancient Egypt, which were figured out by the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology.

Old Records of Pharaohs

Historians have found old lists of pharaohs. These lists help us learn about who ruled Egypt. However, none of them are complete. Some important lists include:

• Palermo Stone
• Turin King List
• Manetho's book, Aegyptiaca (History of Egypt)
• Abydos King List
• Karnak Tablet
• Saqqara Tablet (found in 1861, lists kings from the 1st to 12th dynasties)

Legendary Rulers

Before human pharaohs, ancient Egyptians believed that gods ruled Egypt. These were called "god kings." The old lists of kings have different names for these god kings.

Turin King List	Manetho (Greek name)	What they were known for
Ptah	Hephaestus (Ptah)	Craftsmen & Creation
Ra	Helios (Apollo)	The Sun
Shu	Aelos or Agathosdaimon (Shu)	Air
Geb	Gaia (Demeter)	The Earth
Osiris	Hades	The Afterlife
Seth	Typhon (Set)	Chaos
Horus	Ares	War
Thoth	Athena	Knowledge

After the god kings, there were rulers who were part god and part human. The old lists also have different names for these rulers.

Turin King List	How long they ruled	Manetho	How long they ruled
Second dynasty of gods	unknown	Dynasty of Halfgods	unknown
Three Achu-Dynasties	unknown	30 Kings from Memphis	1790 years

Early Egypt: The Archaic Period

The Archaic period includes the Early Dynastic Period. During this time, Lower Egypt (the northern part) and Upper Egypt (the southern part) were separate kingdoms.

Early Dynastic: Lower Egypt (North)

Lower Egypt was the northern part of the Nile and the Nile Delta. This list might not be complete:

Name	Notes	Dates
Wazner	Only on the Palermo Stone	c. 3100 BC?
Double Falcon	Known from finds in Sinai and Lower Egypt	c. 3200 BC?

Early Dynastic: Upper Egypt (South)

Upper Egypt was the Nile Valley, south of the Delta. This list might not be complete:

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Scorpion I		Oldest tomb at Umm el-Qa'ab had a scorpion symbol.	c. 3200 BC?
Iry-Hor	Iry-Hor's name	Possibly ruled just before Ka.	c. 3150 BC?
Ka	A vessel with Ka's name	May have ruled just before Narmer.	c. 3100 BC
King Scorpion	King Scorpion	Might be the same person as Narmer.	c. 3150 BC
Narmer	Narmer on the Narmer Palette	The king who united Upper and Lower Egypt.	c. 3150 BC

First Dynasty

The First Dynasty ruled from about 3150 to 2890 BC. This was a very important time for Egypt's early history.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Narmer	Narmer, who united Egypt	Believed to be the same person as Menes. He united Upper and Lower Egypt.	c. 3150 BC
Hor-Aha	A vessel fragment with Hor-Aha's name	—	c. 3050 BC
Djer	A stela of Djer	—	41 years
Djet	A stela of Djet	—	10 years
Merneith	A stela of Merneith	A female ruler who was a Regent for Den. She might have ruled as pharaoh herself.	—
Den	A label from Den's tomb	The first pharaoh shown wearing the double crown of Egypt.	42 years
Anedjib	A stone vessel with Anedjib's name	—	10 years
Semerkhet	A pottery sherd with Semerkhet's name	—	9 years
Qa'a	A stela of Qa'a	—	2916?–2890 BC

After the First Dynasty, there might have been two short-lived pharaohs:

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Sneferka	A seal impression of Sneferka	Ruled for a very short time.	c. 2900 BC
Horus Bird	A fragment with the name Horus Bird	Ruled for a very short time.	c. 2900 BC

Second Dynasty

The Second Dynasty ruled from about 2890 to 2686 BC.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Hotepsekhemwy	A seal impression of Hotepsekhemwy	—	25–29 years
Raneb	A stela of Raneb	His name might be read as Nebra.	10–14 years
Nynetjer	A vessel with Nynetjer's name	May have divided Egypt among his successors.	43–45 years
Khasekhem(wy)	A statue of Khasekhemwy	He reunited Egypt after a time of trouble around 2690 BC.	17–18 years

The Old Kingdom

The Old Kingdom was a time of great success and building in Egypt. This was the first of three "Kingdom" periods, which were high points for Egyptian civilization. It lasted from the Third Dynasty to the Sixth Dynasty (2686–2181 BC). Many experts also include the 7th and 8th Dynasties in this period. The Old Kingdom was followed by a time of disunity called the First Intermediate Period.

The capital city of Egypt during the Old Kingdom was Memphis. This is where Djoser set up his court. The Old Kingdom is famous for the many pyramids built as tombs for the pharaohs. Because of this, it is often called "the Age of the Pyramids."

Third Dynasty

The Third Dynasty ruled from 2686 to 2613 BC.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Djoser	A statue of Djoser	He ordered the first pyramid in Egypt, known as The Step Pyramid. It was built by his chief architect and scribe, Imhotep.	19 or 28 years around 2670 BC
Sekhemkhet	A seal impression of Sekhemkhet	Imhotep also helped build his unfinished step pyramid.	2649–2643 BC
Huni	A statue head of Huni	May have started the Meidum pyramid.	2637–2613 BC

Fourth Dynasty

The Fourth Dynasty ruled from 2613 to 2498 BC. This dynasty included the pharaohs who built the Great Pyramids: Khufu (Cheops), Khafra (Chephren), and Menkaura (Mycerinus).

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Sneferu	A statue of Sneferu	He built the Meidum Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid. He also built the first "true" pyramid, the Red Pyramid.	2613–2589 BC
Khufu	A small statue of Khufu	Known as Cheops in Greek. He built the Great Pyramid of Giza.	2589–2566 BC
Djedefra (Radjedef)	A head statue of Djedefra	Believed to have created the Great Sphinx of Giza as a monument to his father.	2566–2558 BC
Khafre	A statue of Khafre	Known as Chephren in Greek. His pyramid is the second largest in Giza. Some say he built the Great Sphinx.	2558–2532 BC
Menkaura	Menkaura and his queen	Known as Mycerinus in Greek. His pyramid is the third and smallest in Giza.	2532–2503 BC
Shepseskaf	Shepseskaf's name on the Abydos King List	He did not build a pyramid. Instead, he had the Mastabat el-Fara'un built for himself.	2503–2498 BC

Fifth Dynasty

The Fifth Dynasty ruled from 2498 to 2345 BC.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Userkaf	A head statue of Userkaf	Buried in a pyramid in Saqqara. He built the first solar temple at Abusir.	2498–2491 BC
Sahure	A relief of Sahure	He moved the royal burial ground to Abusir, where he built his pyramid.	2490–2477 BC
Unas	A stela of Unas	His pyramid has the earliest known pyramid texts inscribed on its walls.	2375–2345 BC

Sixth Dynasty

The Sixth Dynasty ruled from 2345 to 2181 BC.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Teti	A sistrum inscribed with Teti's name	He might have been murdered by Userkare.	2345–2333 BC
Meryre Pepi I	A kneeling statue of Pepi I	—	2332–2283 BC
Neferkare Pepi II	Queen Ankhesenmeryre II and her son Pepi II	He might have been the longest-reigning ruler in human history, possibly ruling for 94 years.	2278–2184 BC
Merenre Nemtyemsaf II	Merenre Nemtyemsaf II's name on the Abydos King List	He was a pharaoh who ruled for a short time, possibly an old son of Pepi II.	1 year and 1 month c. 2184 BC

First Intermediate Period

The First Intermediate Period (2181–2060 BC) was a time of change and disunity in Egypt. It happened between the end of the Old Kingdom and the start of the Middle Kingdom.

The Old Kingdom quickly fell apart after Pepi II died. He had ruled for a very long time, and his old age made his rule less effective.

Egypt split into two kingdoms again, and local leaders had to deal with a terrible famine.

Around 2160 BC, a new group of pharaohs tried to reunite Lower Egypt from their capital in Herakleopolis Magna. Another group of pharaohs in Thebes was reuniting Upper Egypt. A fight between these two groups was bound to happen.

Around 2055 BC, Mentuhotep II defeated the Herakleopolitan pharaohs and reunited Egypt. This marked the beginning of the Middle Kingdom.

Seventh and Eighth Dynasties (combined)

The Seventh and Eighth Dynasties ruled from about 2181 to 2160 BC. Many of these kings ruled for only a short time from Memphis. Egypt was divided into many competing regions.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Menkare	Menkare's name on the Abydos King List
Neferkare (III) Neby	Neferkare Neby's name on the Abydos King List	He started building a pyramid in Saqqara.
Qakare Ibi	Qakare Ibi's name on the Abydos King List	He built a pyramid at Saqqara.	2169–2167 BC

Ninth and Tenth Dynasties

The Ninth Dynasty ruled from 2160 to 2130 BC. The Tenth Dynasty ruled over Lower Egypt from 2130 to 2040 BC. These dynasties were local rulers during the time of disunity.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Meryibre Khety I (Acthoes I)	A statue of Meryibre Khety I	Manetho wrote that Achthoes was the first pharaoh in this dynasty.	2160–?
Merykare	A stela mentioning Merykare	—	?–2040 BC

Eleventh Dynasty

The Eleventh Dynasty was a local group from Upper Egypt. They ruled from 2134 to 1991 BC. This dynasty eventually reunited Egypt.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Intef the Elder	A stela of Prince Intef the Elder	A local ruler from Thebes. He is now considered the first king of the 11th Dynasty.	—
Mentuhotep I	A statue of Mentuhotep I	A Theban ruler who may have ruled independently.	?–2134 BC
Intef II	A funerary stela of Intef II	He conquered Abydos and its region.	2117–2069 BC
Intef III	A relief of Intef III	He conquered Asyut.	2069–2060 BC

The Middle Kingdom

The Middle Kingdom (2060–1802 BC) began after the First Intermediate Period and ended before the Second Intermediate Period. During this time, Egypt started trading with other countries. This opening of trade eventually led to the downfall of the Middle Kingdom, caused by an invasion from the Hyksos.

Eleventh Dynasty (continued)

The second part of the Eleventh Dynasty is considered part of the Middle Kingdom.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Mentuhotep II	A statue of Mentuhotep II	He reunited all of Egypt around 2015 BC, starting the Middle Kingdom.	2060–2010 BC
Mentuhotep III	A statue of Mentuhotep III	He sent the first expedition to Punt during the Middle Kingdom.	2010–1998 BC

Twelfth Dynasty

The Twelfth Dynasty ruled from 1991 to 1802 BC. Later Egyptians thought this was their greatest dynasty.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Amenemhat I	A statue of Amenemhat I	He took power after overthrowing Mentuhotep IV. He was later murdered.	1991–1962 BC
Senusret I (Sesostris I)	A statue of Senusret I	He built the White Chapel.	1971–1926 BC
Senusret III (Sesostris III)	A head statue of Senusret III	He was the most powerful pharaoh of the Middle Kingdom.	1878–1860 BC
Amenemhat III	A statue of Amenemhat III	—	1860–1815 BC
Sobekneferu	A statue of Sobekneferu	A rare female ruler.	1807–1802 BC

Second Intermediate Period

The Second Intermediate Period (1802–1550 BC) was a time of trouble. It was between the end of the Middle Kingdom and the start of the New Kingdom. During this time, the Hyksos people arrived in Egypt and became the Fifteenth Dynasty.

The Thirteenth Dynasty was weaker than the Twelfth Dynasty. It could not hold onto all of Egypt. Around 1805 BC or 1710 BC, a ruling family in Xois broke away. They formed the Fourteenth Dynasty.

The Hyksos first appeared around 1720 BC. They took control of the town of Avaris. Around 1650 BC, the Hyksos conquered Memphis, ending the 13th Dynasty.

Later, the Egyptian rulers in Thebes formed the Seventeenth Dynasty. This dynasty, led by pharaohs like Seqenenre Tao, Kamose, and Ahmose, eventually forced the Hyksos out of Egypt. This led to the New Kingdom.

Thirteenth Dynasty

The Thirteenth Dynasty ruled from 1802 to around 1649 BC.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Sekhemre Khutawy Sobekhotep	A statue of Sobekhotep I	He started the 13th Dynasty.	1802–1800 BC
Khaankhre Sobekhotep	A statue of Sobekhotep II	He ruled for about 3 years.	1780–1777 BC
Awybre Hor I	A Ka statue of Hor I	Famous for his untouched tomb treasures and Ka statue.	1777–1775 BC
Sobekhotep III	A relief of Sobekhotep III	He ruled for four years and two months.	c. 1755–1751 BC
Neferhotep I	A statue of Neferhotep I	He ruled for 11 years.	1751–1740 BC
Sobekhotep IV	A statue of Sobekhotep IV	He ruled for 10 or 11 years.	1740–1730 BC
Merneferre Ay I	A statue of Merneferre Ay I	He was the longest-reigning king of this dynasty.	23 years, 8 months and 18 days, 1701–1677 BC

Fourteenth Dynasty

The Fourteenth Dynasty was a local group from the eastern Delta. They ruled from about 1805 BC or 1710 BC until around 1650 BC. Many of their rulers had West Semitic names, suggesting they came from the land of Canaan.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Yakbim Sekhaenre	A scarab of Yakbim Sekhaenre	Dates are not certain.	1805–1780 BC
Sheshi	A scarab of Sheshi	Dates are not certain.	1745–1705 BC
Nehesy	A scarab of Nehesy	He ruled for a short time. He might have been a son of Sheshi.	c. 1705 BC

Fifteenth Dynasty (Hyksos)

The Fifteenth Dynasty was started by the Hyksos people. They came from the Fertile Crescent region. They ruled over much of the Nile region from 1674 to 1535 BC.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Khyan	A statue of Khyan	He conquered Thebes near the end of his rule.	30–40 years
Apepi	A scarab with Apepi's name	He ruled for 40 years or more.	—
Khamudi	A cylinder seal of Khamudi	—	1555–1544 BC

Sixteenth Dynasty

The Sixteenth Dynasty was a native Theban dynasty. It began around 1650 BC and was conquered by the Hyksos 15th Dynasty around 1580 BC. The 16th Dynasty only ruled over Upper Egypt.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Djehuti		—	3 years
Sobekhotep VIII		—	16 years
Nebiryraw I Sewadjenre	A scarab of Nebiryraw I	—	26 years

Seventeenth Dynasty

The Seventeenth Dynasty was based in Upper Egypt. They ruled from 1650 to 1550 BC.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Rahotep	Scarabs of Rahotep	—	c. 1620 BC
Sobekemsaf I	A statue of Sobekemsaf I	He ruled for at least seven years.	—
Seqenenre Tao	The mummy of Seqenenre Tao	He died in battle against the Hyksos.	1558–1554 BC
Kamose	The sarcophagus of Kamose	—	1554–1549 BC

The New Kingdom

The New Kingdom (1550–1077 BC) was a time when Egypt became a powerful empire. It was between the Second Intermediate Period and the Third Intermediate Period.

During the New Kingdom, Egypt's armies captured nearby countries. Egypt controlled Nubia in the south and held lands in the Near East. Egyptian armies fought with Hittite armies for control of modern-day Syria. At this time, Egypt controlled more land than ever before.

Two of the most famous pharaohs of the New Kingdom are Akhenaten and Ramesses II. Akhenaten tried to start a new religion that worshipped only the god Aten. This is sometimes seen as the first time a ruler tried to create a religion with only one god. Ramesses II was a strong military leader. He tried to take back lands in what is now modern Israel/Palestine, Lebanon, and Syria. At the Battle of Qadesh, he led the Egyptian armies against the Hittite king Muwatalli II.

Eighteenth Dynasty

The Eighteenth Dynasty ruled from about 1550 to 1292 BC.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Ahmose I, Ahmosis I	A statue head of Ahmose I	He was the brother of Kamose. He conquered northern Egypt from the Hyksos.	c. 1550–1525 BCE
Amenhotep I	A statue head of Amenhotep I	—	1541–1520 BC
Thutmose I	A colossal head of Thutmose I	—	1520–1492 BC
Hatshepsut	A statue of Hatshepsut	She was the second known female ruler.	1479–1458 BC
Thutmose III	A statue of Thutmose III	He is often called the "Napoleon of Egypt." He expanded Egyptian rule into the Levant.	1479–1425 BC
Amenhotep III The Magnificent King	A statue of Amenhotep III	He ruled Egypt when it was at its most powerful. He had more monuments built than any other pharaoh.	1390–1352 BC
Akhenaten or Amenhotep IV	A statue of Akhenaten	He started a sun-based religion called Atenism. His original name meant "Amun is pleased."	1352–1334 BC
Tutankhamun	A bust of Tutankhamun	He is commonly believed to be the son of Akhenaten. He probably brought back the old religion. He is also known as the boy king.	1333–1324 BC
Ay	A portrait study of Ay	He was a close advisor to pharaohs before him. He is thought to have been the real power during Tutankhamun's rule.	1324–1320 BC
Horemheb	A statue of Horemheb and the god Horus	He was a former General and advisor to Tutankhamun.	1320–1292 BC

Nineteenth Dynasty

The Nineteenth Dynasty ruled from 1292 to 1186 BC. It included one of the greatest pharaohs, Rameses II the Great.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Seti I	A relief of Seti I	—	1290–1279 BC
Ramesses II the Great	A statue of Ramesses II	He is often linked to Moses. He fought the Hittites at the Battle of Kadesh in 1275 BC. A peace treaty was signed in 1258 BC.	1279–1213 BC
Merneptah	A statue of Merneptah	A stela (stone slab) describes his campaigns. It is the only ancient Egyptian record to mention "Israel."	1213–1203 BC
Tausret	A statue of Twosret	A female ruler. She was probably the wife of Seti II.	1191–1190 BC

Twentieth Dynasty

The Twentieth Dynasty ruled from 1190 to 1077 BC.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Ramesses III	A relief of Ramesses III	He fought the Sea Peoples in 1175 BC. He was killed in a plot.	1186–1155 BC
Ramesses XI	A relief of Ramesses XI	His rule ended with power being shared. The High Priest of Amun ruled in the south, and Smendes I ruled in the north.	1107–1077 BC

Third Intermediate Period

The Third Intermediate Period (1077–732 BC) marked the end of the New Kingdom. After the Egyptian empire fell apart, some dynasties of Libyan origin ruled Egypt. This time is also known as the Libyan Period.

Twenty-First Dynasty

The Twenty-First Dynasty was based at Tanis. They ruled from 1069 to 943 BC. Their power was mostly limited to Lower Egypt.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Nesbanebdjed I	A scarab of Nesbanebdjed I	Also known as Smendes I.	1077–1051 BC
Psusennes I	The golden mask of Psusennes I	Also known as the Silver Pharaoh.	1047–1001 BC

Twenty-Second Dynasty

The pharaohs of the Twenty-Second Dynasty were from Libya. They ruled from around 943 to 728 BC.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Shoshenq I	A relief of Shoshenq I	—	943–922 BC
Osorkon I	A statue of Osorkon I	—	922–887 BC

Twenty-Third Dynasty

The Twenty-Third Dynasty was another Libyan group. They were based at Herakleopolis and Thebes. They ruled from 837 to about 735 BC.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Takelot II	A relief of Takelot II	He is now known to be the founder of the 23rd Dynasty.	837–813 BC
Osorkon III	A statue of Osorkon III	He recovered Thebes and became king.	795–767 BC

Twenty-Fourth Dynasty

The Twenty-fourth Dynasty was a short-lived rival dynasty in the western Delta. There were only two pharaohs, ruling from 732 to 720 BC.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Tefnakhte	A stela of Tefnakhte	—	732–725 BC
Bakenrenef	A statue of an Apis bull with Bakenrenef's name	—	725–720 BC

The Late Period

The Late Period runs from 732 BC until Egypt became a province of Rome in 30 BC. This time included periods when Egypt was ruled by people from Nubia, Persia, and Macedon.

Twenty-Fifth Dynasty (Nubian)

Nubians invaded Lower Egypt and took the throne under Piye. They already controlled Thebes and Upper Egypt. Piye's conquest of Lower Egypt started the Twenty-fifth Dynasty, which ruled until 656 BC.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Piye	A stela of Piye	He was King of Nubia. He conquered Egypt in his 20th year.	752–721 BC
Shabaka	A stela of Shabaka	—	721–707/706 BC
Taharqa	A sphinx of Taharqa	—	690–664 BC
Tantamani	A head statue of Tantamani	He lost control of Upper Egypt in 656 BC when Psamtik I took over Thebes.	664–653 BC

The Nubians were forced out of Egypt and went back to Nubia. They set up a kingdom there.

Twenty-Sixth Dynasty

The Twenty-sixth Dynasty ruled from around 672 to 525 BC.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Necho I	A relief of Necho I	He was killed by an invading Kushite force in 664 BC. He was the father of Psamtik I.	672 – 664 BC
Psamtik I	A statue of Psamtik I	He reunited Egypt. He was the son of Necho I and father of Necho II.	664 – 610 BC
Necho II	A kneeling statue of Necho II	He is likely the pharaoh mentioned in several books of the Bible.	610 – 595 BC
Ahmose II	A statue of Amasis II	He was the last great ruler of Egypt before the Persian conquest.	570 – 526 BC
Psamtik III	A statue of Psamtik III	He ruled for about six months before being defeated by the Persians and executed.	526 – 525 BC

Twenty-Seventh Dynasty (Persian)

Egypt was conquered by the Persian Empire in 525 BC. The Persians ruled until 404 BC. The Persian kings were considered pharaohs during this time, forming the "Twenty-seventh" Dynasty.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Cambyses II	A relief of Cambyses II	He defeated Psamtik III at the Battle of Pelusium in 525 BC.	525 – 521 BC
Darius I	A relief of Darius I	—	521 – 486 BC
Xerxes I	A relief of Xerxes I	—	486 – 465 BC
Artaxerxes I Longhand	A relief of Artaxerxes I	—	464 – 424 BC

Twenty-Eighth Dynasty

The Twenty-eighth Dynasty lasted only six years, from 404 to 398 BC, with one pharaoh.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Amyrtaeus		He was a descendant of the 26th Dynasty pharaohs. He led a successful revolt against the Persians.	404 – 398 BC

Twenty-Ninth Dynasty

The Twenty-ninth Dynasty ruled from 398 to 380 BC.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Nefaarud I	A statue of Nefaarud I	Also known as Nepherites. He defeated Amyrtaeus and had him executed.	398 – 393 BC
Hakor	A statue torso of Hakor	He overthrew his predecessor Psammuthes.	393 – 380 BC

Thirtieth Dynasty

The Thirtieth Dynasty ruled from 380 BC until Egypt came under Persian rule again in 343 BC.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Nectanebo I	A statue of Nectanebo I	Also known as Nekhtnebef. He started the last dynasty of native Egyptians.	380 – 362 BC
Senedjemibre Nakhthorhebyt (Nectanebo II)	A statue head of Nectanebo II	He was the last native ruler of ancient Egypt.	360 – 343 BC

Thirty-First Dynasty (Persian)

Egypt again came under the control of the Achaemenid Persians. The Persian rulers from 343 to 332 BC are sometimes called the Thirty-first Dynasty.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Artaxerxes III	An inscription of Artaxerxes III	Egypt came under Persian rule for the second time.	343–338 BC
Darius III	A mosaic of Darius III	Upper Egypt returned to Persian control in 335 BC.	336–332 BC

Argead Dynasty (Macedonian)

The Macedonians, led by Alexander the Great, began the Hellenistic period. This happened when Alexander captured Persia and Egypt. The Argeads ruled from 332 to 309 BC.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Alexander the Great	A bust of Alexander the Great	Macedon took over Persia and Egypt.	332–323 BC
Alexander IV of Macedon	A painting of Roxana with Alexander IV	He was the son of Alexander the Great and Roxana.	317–309 BC

Ptolemaic Dynasty (Greek)

The second Hellenistic dynasty was the Ptolemies. They ruled Egypt from 305 BC until Egypt became a part of Rome in 30 BC. If two dates overlap, it means two rulers shared power at the same time.

The most famous member of this dynasty was Cleopatra VII. She is known simply as Cleopatra today. She was involved with the Roman dictator Julius Caesar and later with the Roman general Mark Antony. She had children with both of them. Cleopatra tried to join Egypt and Rome politically. This plan failed after Caesar's death and Mark Antony's defeat.

Caesarion (Ptolemy XV) was Cleopatra VII's oldest son. He was possibly the only son of Julius Caesar. He ruled jointly with his mother from 47 BC. After Cleopatra's death in 30 BC, he was the only pharaoh for a short time. It is believed he was killed by order of Octavian, who later became the Roman emperor Augustus.

Name	Image	Notes	Dates
Ptolemy I of Egypt	A bust of Ptolemy I	He gave up his throne in 285 BC and died in 283 BC.	305–285 BC
Ptolemy II of Egypt	A coin with Ptolemy II and Arsinoe II	—	288–246 BC
Ptolemy III of Egypt	A bust of Ptolemy III	—	246–222 BC
Ptolemy IV of Egypt	A coin of Ptolemy IV	—	222–204 BC
Ptolemy V of Egypt	A coin of Ptolemy V	Upper Egypt was in revolt from 207–186 BC.	204–180 BC
Ptolemy VI of Egypt	A ring with a portrait of Ptolemy VI	He died in 145 BC.	180–164 BC
Ptolemy VIII of Egypt	A coin of Ptolemy VIII	He was declared king by people in Alexandria in 170 BC. He ruled with Ptolemy VI of Egypt and Cleopatra II from 169 to 164 BC.	171–163 BC
Ptolemy IX of Egypt	A relief of Ptolemy IX	He died in 80 BC.	116–110 BC
Ptolemy XII	A relief of Ptolemy XII	He was the son of Ptolemy IX. He died in 51 BC.	80– 58 BC
Cleopatra VII	A bust of Cleopatra VII	She ruled jointly with her father Ptolemy XII, her brother Ptolemy XIII, her brother-husband Ptolemy XIV, and her son Ptolemy XV. She is known simply as Cleopatra.	51–30 BC
Ptolemy XV of Egypt	A relief of Cleopatra and Caesarion	He was the infant son of Cleopatra VII. He was 3 years old when he was declared co-ruler with Cleopatra. He was the last known ruler of ancient Egypt before Rome took over.	44–30 BC

Roman Rule

Cleopatra VII had relationships with the Roman dictator Julius Caesar and the Roman General Marc Antony. She ended her own life when Antony was defeated by Octavian (who later became Emperor Augustus). Egypt then became a province of Rome in 30 BC. Roman Emperors were given the title of Pharaoh, but only when they were in Egypt. One Egyptian king-list names the Roman Emperors as Pharaohs up to and including Decius. You can see more on the list of Roman Emperors.

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Faraones de Egipto para niños