The early history of Cairo is the history of ancient Egypt. River Nile, the longest river in the world has played a significant role in the development
and evolution of the history of Cairo. Historical evidences prove that Egypt and its capital city Cairo was the seat of ancient civilization and culture.
Chronologically the different phases in the early history of Cairo are:
- Paleolithic and Neolithic periods - 11th millennium BC
- Pre-dynastic period – 5,500 to 3100 BC
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- Early dynastic period starts from 3150 BC
- Old kingdom 2686 BC to 2134 BC
- First Intermediate Period
- Middle Kingdom
- Persian domination
- Roman domination and
- Islam invasion
Archaeological digs have revealed that Egyptian society and culture started developing along the banks of Nile as early as 11th millennium BC. This region was dominated by early tribes who were basically hunters, fishers and gathering people using tools. During the pre dynastic period in Cairo small settlements in small clusters were established. Two distinct kingdoms of Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt came up. The dividing line was roughly around Cairo. The Tasian Culture, the Badarian Culture and the Amratian Culture were found in these areas. Historical facts of ancient Cairo reveal that the early dynastic period was marked by the unification of the upper and lower Egypt and Menes was the first king. The Old Kingdom is regarded as the spanning period of Egypt. The Pyramids were constructed during this period as burial grounds of the Pharaohs. From the first intermediate period till the middle kingdom Cairo was under the reign of several dynasties of pharaohs.
The last pharaoh was defeated by Cambyses II of Persia in the Battle of Pelusium. This marked the beginning of Persian domination of Egypt. The Romans invaded Cairo, after Marc Antony and Queen Cleopatra was defeated in the Battle of Anctium. Constantinople was the new capital of the Roman Empire. Arabs crossed into Egypt from Palestine and advanced rapidly into the Nile Delta. They were victorious at the battle of Heliopolis and later on even annexed Alexandria.
Early history of Cairo is a narration of the rich and glorious past of capital city. It was during this period that the magnificent pyramids were built and several dynasties of mysterious pharaohs ruled the city and the country as a whole.
