Prior to the formation of dynasties, Egypt was more or less separated into two factions, Upper Egypt to the south, and Lower Egypt to the north. Then, according to some accounts, they were unified under the rule of a man named Narmer—possibly.

Legends and texts seem to contradict themselves, suggesting the first pharaoh was either a man named Narmer, a man named Menes, or a man named Hor-Ah—or, possibly, that they were all the same person. Another theory suggests that unification was not a single event achieved by a single person, but rather a gradual process.

Narmer is typically credited with unifying Upper and Lower Egypt due to his appearance on the Narmer Palette, a decorated cosmetics palette where he is depicted taming two great beasts, and wearing the combined crowns of Upper and Lower Egypt.