Egypt has a long and storied history of kings, particularly during the ancient and
medieval periods. When referring to "kings" in the context of Egypt, we often
think of Pharaohs, who ruled over the ancient kingdom for thousands of years.
Below is an overview of Egyptian kings, focusing mainly on ancient times, as
well as a brief look at the rulers in more recent Egyptian history.
1. Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt
The title "Pharaoh" was used to refer to the king of Egypt, and it was not an
official title initially but came into use during the New Kingdom. Pharaohs were
seen as both political leaders and divine figures. Here are some of the most
famous kings (pharaohs) in Egypt's history:
Early Dynastic Period (c. 3100–2686 BCE)
Narmer (also known as Menes): Considered the first pharaoh of a
unified Egypt, he is credited with uniting Upper and Lower Egypt and
founding the First Dynasty.
Djoser (c. 2670 BCE): Known for commissioning the Step Pyramid at
Saqqara, the first large stone structure in Egypt.
Old Kingdom (c. 2686–2181 BCE)
Khufu (Cheops): Best known for constructing the Great Pyramid of Giza,
one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
Khafre: The builder of the second pyramid at Giza and the Great Sphinx
of Giza, which is believed to represent him.
Middle Kingdom (c. 2050–1710 BCE)
Mentuhotep II: He reunified Egypt after the First Intermediate Period and
started the Middle Kingdom, overseeing a period of stability and
prosperity.
Amenemhat II: Known for his military campaigns and significant
architectural contributions.
New Kingdom (c. 1550–1070 BCE)
Hatshepsut (c. 1479–1458 BCE): One of the most famous female
pharaohs, Hatshepsut is remembered for her peaceful reign, successful
trade expeditions, and monumental building projects, including her temple
at Deir el-Bahari.
Thutmose III: Known as the "Napoleon of Egypt," he expanded Egypt's
empire to its greatest territorial extent.
Akhenaten (c. 1353–1336 BCE): Famous for introducing monotheism,
focusing on the worship of the sun god Aten, which disrupted Egypt's
polytheistic traditions.
Tutankhamun (c. 1332–1323 BCE): Best known for his tomb, which was
discovered largely intact in 1922. Although he ruled for a short time and
died young, his tomb contained incredible treasures.
Ramses II (Ramses the Great, c. 1279–1213 BCE): Known for his
military leadership, especially during the Battle of Kadesh against the
Hittites. He is one of Egypt's most celebrated pharaohs and built many
monuments, including Abu Simbel.
Third Intermediate Period (c. 1070–664 BCE)
The period was marked by political instability, with several competing
dynasties. It included the rule of Sheshonq I, who invaded Israel, and the
Libyan Dynasty that ruled Egypt for several centuries.
Late Period (c. 664–332 BCE)
Psamtik I: Founder of the 26th Dynasty and a leader who restored
Egyptian independence after a period of foreign domination.
Nectanebo II: The last native Egyptian pharaoh, who ruled from 360 to
343 BCE. After his reign, Egypt fell to the Persians.
2. Hellenistic Period – The Ptolemies (332–30 BCE)
After Alexander the Great conquered Egypt, the Ptolemaic Dynasty took
control, with Ptolemy I becoming the first Greek pharaoh of Egypt. This dynasty
lasted until the death of Cleopatra VII in 30 BCE, marking the end of the
pharaonic rule.
Ptolemy I Soter: The founder of the Ptolemaic dynasty, one of
Alexander’s generals.
Cleopatra VII: The last active ruler of the Ptolemaic Kingdom. She is
famous for her relationships with Julius Caesar and Mark Antony and for
her efforts to restore Egypt’s independence. After her death, Egypt
became a province of the Roman Empire.
3. Modern Egyptian Kings – Muhammad Ali Dynasty (1805–1953)
In modern times, Egypt was ruled by a dynasty established by Muhammad Ali
Pasha in the early 19th century. This dynasty governed Egypt until the Egyptian
Revolution of 1952.
Muhammad Ali Pasha (r. 1805–1849): The founder of modern Egypt,
Muhammad Ali transformed Egypt into a semi-autonomous state within
the Ottoman Empire. His military reforms and modernization of Egypt’s
economy left a lasting legacy.
King Farouk I (r. 1936–1952): The last king of Egypt, who was overthrown
during the Egyptian Revolution of 1952. King Farouk's reign was marked by
corruption and political instability, which led to his abdication in favor of
his son King Ahmed Fouad II, who was never able to rule due to the
revolution.
Summary of Key Egyptian Kings (Pharaohs)
Narmer (Menes) – Unifier of Egypt.
Djoser – Built the Step Pyramid.
Khufu – Builder of the Great Pyramid.
Hatshepsut – Female pharaoh known for her peaceful reign and building
projects.
Akhenaten – Introduced monotheism.
**Ramses II
