Egypt Timeline and History Over the Ages

7000 BC: The settlement of the Nile Valley region began around 7000 BCE. Two different kingdoms, Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt developed over the next centuries.

3000 BC: Upper and Lower Egypt united around 3000 BCE, beginning the Old Kingdom period in Egyptian history. This period marks the beginning of what we typically consider Egyptian history, and included the advancements in writing or hieroglyphs.

2500 BC: Construction of the Egyptian pyramids began in 2500 BCE. The pyramids were tomb complexes for the pharaohs or rulers of Egypt. The pharaohs retained control of Egypt until 669 BCE.

669 BC: In 669 BCE, Assyrian troops from Mesopotamia conquered Egypt. The political structures of Egypt remained in place under Assyrian control but lacked the power they once had.

525 BC: In 525 BCE, the Persians conquered Egypt. This was part of a widespread campaign of conquest.

332 BC: Alexander the Great conquered Egypt in 332 BCE. During the 4th century BCE, Alexander the Great conquered much of the known world.

31 BC: In 31 BCE, Egypt came under Roman rule following the death of Cleopatra of Egypt.

33 AD: Christianity came to Egypt very early, not long after the death of Christ. It spread widely throughout Egypt and was the dominant religion in the 4th century.

642 AD: In 642, the Arabs conquered Egypt. Islamic law supported tolerance for Christians, but Islam became the most common religion in Egypt.

1250: Arab slave-soldiers, the Mameluk, took over Egypt in 1250. This was a very successful and thriving period for Egypt.

1517: In 1517, Egypt became part of the Ottoman Empire. Egypt was, in part, self-governing as a provincial region of the Ottoman Empire.

1798: Napoleon invaded Egypt in 1798. His invasion was eventually repelled.

1805: In 1805, the Ottoman ruler, Muhammad Ali established a ruling dynasty that continued until 1882.

1859: Between 1859 and 1869, the Suez Canal was constructed, opening up new trade access for Egypt.

1882: By 1882, Egypt was under British control. Not long after, it became a direct colony of the British Empire.

1922: Egypt gained its independence in 1922. Fuad became King of Egypt.

1953: In 1953, following a political coup, Egypt was declared a republic. An evacuation treaty with the British followed in 1954, removing all British influence.

1972: Egypt turned toward more democratic political policies in 1972, rejecting Soviet-era socialism in 1972.

2011: While Egypt had experienced brief periods of political unrest, including military rule, a widespread uprising occurred in 2011. This led to a new government in Egypt.