[bert]

the rest of the world changed

the old kingdom did not

it succombed to exterior change

[BroJoeK]

bert: "the rest of the world changed,the old kingdom did not, it succombed to exterior change"

Not the Old Kingdom.
Including the Early Dynastic period, the Old Kingdom lasted nearly 1,000 years -- from BC 3,150 to 2,181.
It was brought down not by foreign invasion, but by 50+ years of severe climate change (all those SUVs & coal power plants, donchaknow!).
This resulted in over 100 years of civil war (so the records say) finally ended by Pharoh Mentuhotep II, who ascended the Theban throne in 2055 B.C. beginning the 500 year Middle Kingdom.

So, let's see... how old is our free republic, 240 years?
What do you suppose are the odds we'll last even half as long as Egypt's Old Kingdom?