Egyptian history is divided into a system of lineages or dynasties, a system that was first devised by the Priest Manetho in the 3rd century BC. He had been commissioned by Ptolemy II to write a history of all Egyptian lands and, using temple records and the king lists of the time, he created a system that provides a basis for Egyptian history to this day. Prior to Manetho’s work, entitled 'Aegyptica', lists of rulers were maintained for sacred purposes, helping to reinforce the legitimacy of the Pharaohs.
