The state administration grew during the Old Kingdom. It became impossible for the royal family to retain all power. The mayors and governors in the provinces assumed a greater amount of responsibility and influence. This may have contributed to the disintegration of the Egyptian civilisation towards the end of the Sixth Dynasty (around 2200 BC).
Other possible causes may have been a drier climate, crop failure, famine and economic crisis. Following a time of political chaos and confusion over the succession to the throne, the country fell apart, divided into smaller rivalling power centres. For the provincial governors, who had gradually gained influence at the expense of the central government, the disruption was welcomed. For others, it was a disaster.
This period, referred to as the First Intermediate Period, was later described as a time of chaos, famine and atrocities. Some of this chaos was probably exaggerated over time but the events clearly had a traumatic impact on the Egyptian consciousness.