From Narmer to Cleopatra: The 3,070-Year Saga of Egypt's Pharaohs

Here's how the incredible saga of ancient Egypt played out over a staggering 3,070 years, from Narmer, the very first pharaoh, to Cleopatra VII, the last. Imagine a thread of history that stretches from the dawn of Egyptian civilization to the rise of the Roman Empire. That's the timeline we're talking about, and it's packed with rulers, triumphs, upheavals, and mysteries.

Narmer, who reigned around 3100 BCE, was the first pharaoh of a unified Egypt. He's remembered as the visionary leader who merged Upper and Lower Egypt into one powerful kingdom, a feat commemorated on the famous Narmer Palette. His reign marked the beginning of the First Dynasty and the start of a glorious era. Fast forward to 30 BCE, and we arrive at Cleopatra VII, who committed suicide, ending not only her reign but also Egypt's era as an independent kingdom. Cleopatra's death came after her defeat by Octavian, the future Augustus Caesar, at the Battle of Actium, cementing Egypt as a province of the Roman Empire.