Herodotus lived during the 5th century BCE. He was born around 484 BCE and died around 425 BCE. Therefore, his “own time” would be in this period, specifically during the height of Classical Greece. His work “Histories” is thought to have been completed around the latter part of his life, possibly in the 420s BCE.
Herodotus, the ancient Greek historian, wrote that Egyptian history spanned over 11,340 years before his own time. This assertion is found in his work “Histories,” where he writes about the long and storied past of Egypt as relayed to him by Egyptian priests and sources.
Herodotus’ estimate of Egyptian history is much longer than the modern understanding, which places the beginning of the Pharaonic era around 3100 BCE with the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh, Narmer.
Timeline of Egyptian history as described by Herodotus, with quotes from his work “Histories” to illustrate the key events.
Herodotus’ Timeline (11,340 Years Before His Time)
14,000 BCE – Prehistoric Egypt:
Herodotus did not provide specific details about this early period, but he described the antiquity of Egypt as relayed by Egyptian priests.
10,000 BCE – Early Neolithic Period:
Herodotus mentions the early development of Egyptian society, emphasizing their long history. “The Egyptians themselves say that their ancestors, in the time of the first king, lived on what the earth produced naturally” (Histories, Book 2, 2.93).
6,000 BCE – Predynastic Period:
Herodotus provides insights into early Egyptian customs and society. “In ancient times, the Egyptians had no kings, and the country was ruled by the priests” (Histories, Book 2, 2.142).
3,500 BCE – Late Predynastic Period:
Herodotus highlights the emergence of significant cultural practices. “The Egyptians were the first to establish the solar year” (Histories, Book 2, 2.4).
Modern Historical Timeline
Circa 3100 BCE – Early Dynastic Period:
Herodotus describes the unification of Egypt under Menes. “Menes, who was the first king of Egypt, raised the whole country around Memphis into a dam” (Histories, Book 2, 2.99).
Circa 2700-2200 BCE – Old Kingdom:
Herodotus references the building of the pyramids. “Cheops reigned fifty years; at his death, he was succeeded by his brother Chephren, who imitated the example of Cheops” (Histories, Book 2, 2.127).
Circa 2200-2050 BCE – First Intermediate Period:
Herodotus does not specifically mention this period but notes times of strife and disorder.
Circa 2050-1800 BCE – Middle Kingdom:
Herodotus acknowledges the stability brought by later pharaohs. “They say that from Menes to this priest of Hephaestus, whose name was Sethos, was a period of 341 generations” (Histories, Book 2, 2.142).
Circa 1800-1550 BCE – Second Intermediate Period:
Herodotus mentions foreign invasions, which might correspond to the Hyksos period. “Egypt was invaded by a great army of foreigners” (Histories, Book 2, 2.154).
Circa 1550-1070 BCE – New Kingdom:
Herodotus speaks of the glory and power of pharaohs. “Rhampsinitus was succeeded by Asychis” (Histories, Book 2, 2.136).
Circa 1070-664 BCE – Third Intermediate Period:
Herodotus mentions the division of power. “The priest of Hephaestus…says that they were once independent” (Histories, Book 2, 2.147).
Circa 664-332 BCE – Late Period:
Herodotus describes the later rulers and their interactions with other empires. “Psammetichus was the first who opened the country to Greeks” (Histories, Book 2, 2.154).
332 BCE – Alexander the Great’s Conquest:
While Herodotus did not live to witness this event, he mentions earlier interactions with Greeks that foreshadow later events.
30 BCE – Roman Egypt
This event is beyond Herodotus’ time, but he sets the stage for Egypt’s long history leading up to foreign rule.
Kings and Pharaohs
- Menes (c. 3100 BCE)
- The first king of Egypt who unified Upper and Lower Egypt.
- “Menes, who was the first king of Egypt, raised the whole country around Memphis into a dam” (Histories, Book 2, 2.99).
- Cheops (Khufu) (c. 2589–2566 BCE)
- Builder of the Great Pyramid of Giza.
- “Cheops reigned fifty years; at his death, he was succeeded by his brother Chephren” (Histories, Book 2, 2.127).
- Chephren (Khafre) (c. 2558–2532 BCE)
- Builder of the second pyramid at Giza.
- “Chephren, who imitated the example of Cheops” (Histories, Book 2, 2.127).
- Mycerinus (Menkaure) (c. 2532–2504 BCE)
- Builder of the third pyramid at Giza.
- “Mycerinus, the son of Cheops” (Histories, Book 2, 2.129).
- Rhampsinitus (No clear historical match, possibly a legendary figure)
- Known for his immense wealth and stories involving a master thief.
- “Rhampsinitus, they said, had great riches” (Histories, Book 2, 2.121).
- Asychis (No clear historical match, possibly a semi-mythical figure)
- Known for promoting trade and constructing a large pyramid.
- “Rhampsinitus was succeeded by Asychis” (Histories, Book 2, 2.136).
- Anysis (No clear historical match, possibly a legendary figure)
- A blind king who fled from an Ethiopian invasion.
- “Anysis, who was blind” (Histories, Book 2, 2.137).
- Sabacos (Shabaka) (c. 707–690 BCE)
- A Kushite king who ruled Egypt during the 25th Dynasty.
- “Sabacos, the Ethiopian” (Histories, Book 2, 2.137).
- Sethos (No clear historical match, possibly a high priest or semi-mythical figure)
- A priest of Hephaestus who became king.
- “Sethos, a priest of Hephaestus” (Histories, Book 2, 2.141).
- Psammetichus I (c. 664–610 BCE)
- Founder of the 26th Dynasty who reunited Egypt.
- “Psammetichus was the first who opened the country to Greeks” (Histories, Book 2, 2.154).
- Necos (Necho II) (c. 610–595 BCE)
- Known for attempting to dig a canal linking the Nile to the Red Sea.
- “Necos son of Psammetichus” (Histories, Book 2, 2.158).
- Apries (Hophra) (c. 589–570 BCE)
- A pharaoh defeated by his general Amasis.
- “Apries, the son of Psammetichus” (Histories, Book 2, 2.161).
- Amasis II (c. 570–526 BCE)
- A general who became pharaoh after deposing Apries.
- “Amasis, who succeeded Apries” (Histories, Book 2, 2.162).
- Pheros (No clear historical match, possibly a semi-mythical figure)
- A ruler known for a story involving his blindness and recovery.
- “Pheros, the son of Sesostris” (Histories, Book 2, 2.111).
Priests
- Sethos (mentioned above as both a priest and king)
- A priest of Hephaestus who later became king.
- “Sethos, a priest of Hephaestus” (Histories, Book 2, 2.141).
