Historians divide ancient Egyptian history into 30 dynasties. A dynasty is a series of rulers belonging to the same family. Egypt's pre-dynastic era lasted until 3,100 B.C., when the dynasties began to rule. Sometimes two dynasties ruled different parts of Egypt at the same time. Groups of dynasties make up periods. Egypt (Gr. Aigyptos, Heb. mitsrayim).

   As discussed earlier in Chapter Four, Menes around 3000 B.C., is assumed to be the King of Egypt who founded the first dynasty uniting Upper and Lower Egypt.