The known history of Egypt begins with the foundation of what IS called the Ancient Empire, about years before our era. It lasted up to the 9th Dynasty, a period of 1940 years. Menes was the first king. Monuments of the first three dynasties Show the archaic Egyptian period of art. With the 4th Dynasty (42 3 5 B. C.) began a period of pro gress in art,and many monuments yet extant date from that time — among them, the Pyramid of Cheops, the Pyramid of Chefren, and the exquisitely cut statue of that king, in the Ghizeh Museum, are also of this Dynasty. At the end of the sth Dynasty, 5600 years ago, when now civilized and polished Europe was still in a state of savage life — when classic Greece and artistic Italy were unknown-the banks of the Nile were lined with cities that attested a high state of civilization, a powerful monarchy; wealth, commerce, arts; and a people both wise and polished. Then followed a period of some 300 years during which history is obscure. With the oth Dynasty (33 58 B. C.) began the Middle Em pire, which lasted until 1703 B. C. — Everything was trans formed to some extent, and the monuments of this period show that it was the Renaissance of Egypt — at first rude and imperfect; then, showing that the conceptions and skill which had produced marvels five centuries before, were still alive in the Nile Land.
