Before the Canal
609 B.C.
The first canal was dug under the orders of Pharaoh Necho II. This connected the Nile to the Bitter Lakes and these to the Red Sea.
285 to 246 B.C.
Ptolemy II widened the canal.
96 to 117
Darius and Trajan renovated Necho II's canal, but as this was not very suitable for navigation it was later abandoned.
1574
The idea of digging a canal through the Suez isthmus was put to the Council of Ten by the Republic of Venice. The project was abandoned as being too expensive.
