The first famous pharaoh of the Old Kingdom was Djoser (2630–2611 BC) of the Third Dynasty who ordered the construction of the first pyramid (the Step Pyramid) in Memphis's new necropolis, Saqqara.
The later kings of the Fourth dynasty were Menkaura (2494–2472 BC), who built the smallest pyramid in Giza, and Shepseskaf (2472–2467 BC).
The Fifth Dynasty began with Userkhaf (2465–2458 BC), who initiated reforms that weakened the Pharaoh and central government.
As a daughter of a pharaoh (Thutmose I) and the wife of one (Thutmose II), Hatshepsut took full control of the throne as the ruling pharaoh during her reign.
The 22nd Dynasty (945-712 bc), centered at Bubastis in the western delta, clearly reflected an earlier Libyan presence in Egypt.
In the 7th centurybc, Psamtik I, ruling at first from Sais, reunited the land in 664 bc, ushering in the 26th Dynasty and the Late Period.