The Seventh and Eighth Dynasties of Egypt
The Seventh and Eighth Dynasties were the last, weak kings of the Old Kingdom, the age of the great pyramids. They ruled from Memphis for a short time, around 2181 to 2160 BCE, and their reigns open the First Intermediate Period, when Egypt's central government broke up. Very little is known about them, and that is part of their interest.
When did the Seventh and Eighth Dynasties rule?
Both dynasties belong to the First Intermediate Period, which follows the Old Kingdom. Dates are not exact. Most modern sources place them at about 2181 to 2160 BCE, after the long reign of Pepi II and the end of the Sixth Dynasty. They are not part of the Third Intermediate Period, which came more than 1,000 years later.
Why did the Old Kingdom end?
There was no single cause. Many historians point to a mix of problems:
- A very long reign: Pepi II is traditionally credited with a reign of about 90 years, which left the succession weak.
- Powerful local governors: the nomarchs, who ruled the provinces, became more independent and passed their offices to their sons.
- The cost of the state: pyramids, temples and tomb endowments drained royal wealth.
- Poor Nile floods: a run of low floods around this time brought hunger in parts of the country, though scholars still debate how severe it was.
What do we know about the kings?
The sources are thin. The Egyptian priest Manetho, writing about 1,900 years later, says the Seventh Dynasty had 70 kings who reigned for 70 days. Almost no scholar takes this literally. It is usually read as a way of saying that there were many short reigns, or even that a separate Seventh Dynasty never existed. The Eighth Dynasty is better supported: the Abydos King List, carved in the temple of Seti I, names a series of Memphite kings, and several of them have throne names beginning with "Neferkare".
The best-known king is Qakare Ibi. He built a small pyramid at South Saqqara, with the Pyramid Texts carved inside, which makes it the last royal pyramid of the Old Kingdom tradition. A few royal decrees from the temple of Min at Coptos (modern Qift) also survive. They show kings of this period still giving posts and privileges to officials in Upper Egypt, so the royal government was not yet gone.
How did it end?
The kings at Memphis slowly lost control. In the north, the lords of Herakleopolis took power (the Ninth and Tenth Dynasties), while a rival line rose in Thebes in the south (the Eleventh Dynasty). Egypt was reunited about 2055 BCE by the Theban king Mentuhotep II, which began the Middle Kingdom.
What can you see today?
The kings of these dynasties left few monuments. To see the world they came from, visit the pyramids of the Old Kingdom around Cairo. The Step Pyramid and the pyramids of Giza show the power of the state before it fell. Read our guides to the Saqqara Step Pyramid and the Pyramids of Giza.
Frequently asked questions
Which period were the Seventh and Eighth Dynasties in?
The First Intermediate Period, at the end of the Old Kingdom, about 2181 to 2160 BCE.
Did the Seventh Dynasty really have 70 kings in 70 days?
That comes from Manetho and is not taken literally. It most likely stands for a time of many very short reigns.
Where was the capital?
Memphis, south of modern Cairo.
Which king built a pyramid?
Qakare Ibi, at South Saqqara. It is small and rarely visited.
Plan your trip with Ibis Egypt Tours
See the monuments of this era in person on a guided tour from Cairo:
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