The Sphinx, which is located adjacent to the Great Pyramids of Giza, has long inspired the imagination of historians, Egyptologists, and tourists. It was most likely constructed during the fourth dynasty of the Old Kingdom, probably during the reign of Khafre (one of the immediate descendents of Khufu). The Sphinx’s face is generally believed to be an image of Khafre.

The Third and Fourth dynasties are considered to be periods of relative peace and prosperity in the history of ancient Egypt. The Third Dynasty was the first ruling dynasty of the Old Kingdom and came to power in the 27th century B.C.E. This period of time is marked by a strong, centralized government under the absolute authority of the Pharaohs and a series of successful military campaigns against weaker neighboring states.

Pepi II is the last notable ruler of the Sixth Dynasty (the last ruling dynasty of the Old Kingdom). Pepi II’s rule was marked by the steady decline of his authority and the power of the Egyptian state. Pepi II is often remembered in popular history for the notable length of his reign. He was said to have assumed the throne as a small child and reigned for more than ninety years.

Khufu is one of the most famous Pharaohs of the Old Kingdom period of Egyptian history. The Old Kingdom began in the 27th century BCE and lasted until the 22nd century BCE. Khufu is most famous for ordering the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza to serve as his burial tomb. Most of what we know about Khufu comes from historians writing more than two thousand years after he died and is therefore unreliable.

The Third Dynasty was the first ruling dynasty of the Old Kingdom. The Third Dynasty came to power in the 27th century BCE under the authority of Djoser. The Old Kingdom lasted from the rule of the Third Dynasty to the rule of the Sixth Dynasty in the 22nd century BCE.

The three pyramids at Giza were constructed during the Old Kingdom and housed the remains of Menkaure, Khafre, and Khufu. Sahura did not have a funerary monument in this complex. 

The first pyramid was built during the reign of King Djoser, during the third dynasty. The architect responsible for building the pyramid of Djoser was Imhotep. Such was Imhotep’s renown and influence that he became the subject of cult worship in the years after his death. Imhotep is one of the few ancient Egyptians to have achieved such renown without having been a ruler.

In ancient Egypt viziers were the chief ministers of Pharaohs. Their functionality changed over the course of Egyptian history, but they were in existence in one form or another during the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms.

Throughout ancient Egyptian history, women were largely prohibited from working in government. In spite of this, women in ancient Egypt generally enjoyed a far more elevated status than women elsewhere during this time period.

Although some Old Kingdom Pharaohs might have done any of these things (except renounce their divinity), the only practice that was common was the acquisition of four royal names. These names, like the Horus name and the Two Ladies name, were designed to reassert the Pharaoh’s divinity and to encourage the cult worship of the living Pharaoh.