Old Kingdom of Egypt (2700–2200 BC)

In Egypt dynasties can be classified into were three main time period called kingdoms. The earliest period, the Old Kingdom followed by Middle Kingdom and then the New Kingdom.

The First and Second Dynasties ruled Egypt for about four centuries. Around 2700 BC, the Third Dynasty rose to power. Its rule began the Old Kingdom, a period in Egyptian history that lasted from about 2700 BC to 2200 BC.

During the Old Kingdom period, Egyptians built cities, great pyramids, and a strong kingdom. By the time of the Old Kingdom, the land had been consolidated under the central power of a king, who was also the "owner" of all Egypt. Considered to be divine, he stood above the priests and was the only individual who had direct contact with the gods.

The pharaohs of the Old Kingdom amassed great wealth and spent it on grandiose architectural projects. The Great Pyramids of Gizeh, the old of the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world.

There was no regular army or navy in the Old Kingdom. Men were levied and vessels commandeered as the need arose. A title which may be rendered approximately by 'General' or 'Commander' was borne by men who undertook other duties which we should term civilian.
Old Kingdom of Egypt (2700–2200 BC)

Pyramids of Giza

Flat bread in Old Kingdom of Egypt

The Egyptians ate a great variety of breads, usually made from barley. These included hollow rolls filled with vegetables, flatbread cakes, round crusty breads and heavy unleavened bread.

Flat breads have been known to humans for over the last 6000 years. In the old kingdom of Egypt, as long ago as 2500 BC, hot ashes or heated stone slabs were used to bake flat bread.

Some 15 different kinds of bread were made in the Old Kingdom, while by the New Kingdom, that number had risen to somewhere between 30 and 50.

Flatbreads can range from 1 mm to a few centimeters in thickness and they are generally made with wheat flour, although flour from corn, rye, rice or barley is also used. For ordinary flatbread, the dough was simply formed into flat cakes to be baked in a pan, or in embers.

The simplest and oldest way of baking bread, but one still used in Old Kingdom Egypt, was to place a flat, had-formed loaf into the embers of a fire. When the bread was done, the ash was wiped off and the bread was eaten.

These were the Egyptians who passed their bread-making skills, including fermentation to the Greeks and Romans.
Flat bread in Old Kingdom of Egypt