From its humble origins as a cluster of rival chiefdoms along the banks of the Nile, ancient Egypt rose to become one of the most advanced civilizations of its time. This atlas traces its turbulent history and remarkable cultural development, from the founding of Memphis around 5000 BC onwards.

Part 1 Origins of ancient Egypt: prehistoric Egypt; the emergence of Egypt; the old kingdom administration; old kingdom Egypt and Nubia; the great pyramid age; the first intermediate period; the Egyptian language and writing. Part 2 The middle kingdom: the wars of reunification; the administrative state; the faiyum and delta; middle kingdom Egypt and the near east; middle kingdom Egypt and Nubia; the second intermediate period; Thebes, Kush and the Hyksos kings; Egyptian literature. Part 3 The new kingdon: the wars of Ahmose; Wawat and Kush; Egypt, Syria and Palestine I; Egypt, Syria and Palestine II; Punt and Gods land; power and the royal palace I; power and the royal palace II; the Amarna letters; Egyptian art. Part 4 The late new kingdom: the road to Kadesh; urbanization; Libyan invasions and the sea peoples; the decline of the royal authority; Tanis, Thebes and Libya; the Palestinian campaign of Shoshenk I; division of the kingdom; king from the Kush; the valley of the kings. Part 5 The late period: the sack of Thebes; the saite monarchy; Saite Egypt and the near east; the Nubian legacy of the 25th dynasty; Persian and Egyptian independence; after Alexander; women in Egypt;