Periodization of ancient Egypt

Three colossal statues. Left: Khafre Enthroned from the Old Kingdom, Center: Statue of Amenemhat II from the Middle Kingdom, Right: Statue of Ramesses II from the New Kingdom.

The periodization of ancient Egypt is the use of periodization to organize the 3,000-year history of ancient Egypt.[1] The system of 30 dynasties recorded by third-century BC Greek-speaking Egyptian priest Manetho is still in use today;[2] however, the system of "periods" and "kingdoms" used to group the dynasties is of modern origin (19th and 20th centuries CE).[3] The modern system consists of three "Golden Ages" (Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms), interspersed between "intermediate periods" (often considered times of crisis or Dark Ages) and early and late periods.[3]

  1. ^ Schneider 2008, p. 181.
  2. ^ Clayton (1994) p. 6
  3. ^ a b Schneider 2008, p. 182.