The Middle Kingdom
- Important Pharaohs Notable Middle Kingdom pharaohs included Intef I and Mentuhotep II from Egypt’s 11th Dynasty and the 12th Dynasty’s Sesostris I and Amehemhet III and IV.
- Cultural Norms In The Middle Kingdom Egyptologists consider the Middle Kingdom to be a classic period of Egyptian culture, language and literature. ...
- Religious Norms In The Middle Kingdom ...
- Major Middle Kingdom Construction Developments ...
| Middle Kingdom of Egypt | |
|---|---|
| Pharaoh | |
| • c.2061 – 2010 BC | Mentuhotep II (first) |
| • c.1650 BC | Merneferre Ay or last king of the Thirteenth Dynasty of Egypt |
| History | |
Who was the most popular Pharaoh?
Top 10 Most Famous Pharaoh Kings In The Ancient History
- Hatshepsut: Hatshepsut is the fifth pharaoh belongs to the 18th dynasty. She was one of the most triumphant pharaohs.
- Tutankhamun: Tutankhamun is a pharaoh belongs to the 18th dynasty who became the ruler of Egypt at a young age. His time in power was short.
- Khufu: Khufu is commonly known as Cheops, he ruled Egypt in the 4th Dynasty. ...
Are Pharoahs and Kings the same thing?
Yes. The rulers of ancient Egypt were kings, whether they were men or women. There was only one ruler at a time. In ancient Egypt, if you were speaking to the king, you would say Pharaoh. If you were an ancient Egyptian, speaking about the current king, you would say Pharaoh. If speaking about a time in the past, whether you were an ancient Egyptian or a modern historian, you would refer to the pharaoh at that time by his or her name, preferenced by the word "king".
How many kids did the pharaohs have?
The Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II had a large number of children: between 48 to 50 sons, and 40 to 53 daughters – whom he had depicted on several monuments.. Ramesses apparently made no distinctions between the offspring of his first two principal wives, Nefertari and Isetnofret. Both queens' firstborn sons and first few daughters had statues at the entrance of the Greater Abu Simbel ...
How did Middle Kingdom pharaohs help traders?
How did Middle Kingdom pharaohs help traders? Trade was assisted by the pharaohs of the Middle Kingdom through creating and maintaining diplomatic channels or by expanding territorial holdings. Who drove the Hyksos out of Egypt quizlet? Eventually, the Egyptians fought back and in the mid-1500s BC, Ahmose of Thebes drove the Hyksos out of Egypt
What dynasties were in the Middle Kingdom?
The Middle Kingdom designates a period of ancient Egyptian civilization stretching from approximately 2030 to 1650 B.C. (Dynasty 11 through Dynasty 13).
Who ruled Egypt in the Middle Ages?
After the fall of Rome, Egypt became part of the Byzantine Empire, until it was conquered by the Muslim Arabs in 641 CE. Throughout the Middle Ages, from its conquest by the Islamic Empire in the year 641 until 1517, Egypt was governed as part of a series of Arab Caliphates.
Who invaded Egypt during the Middle Kingdom?
The Second Intermediate Period is most famous for the rule of foreign invaders called the Hyksos. The Hyksos ruled northern Egypt from the capital city of Avaris until around 1550 BC. The pharaohs of the Middle Kingdom often appointed their sons as coregents, which was kind of like a vice-pharaoh.
When did the Middle Kingdom end?
The Middle Kingdom lasted from approximately 2040 to 1782 BC, stretching from the reunification of Egypt under the reign of Mentuhotep II in the Eleventh Dynasty to the end of the Twelfth Dynasty.
Who ruled Egypt in 1300 BC?
See the timeline of the Arabs3150 BCMenes - Dynasty 01300 BCLater New Kingdom1293 - 1291 BCRamesses I1291 - 1278 BCSeti I1279 - 1212 BCRamesses II153 more rows
What was Egypt called in medieval times?
In the early period of Egypt, during the Old Kingdom, Egypt was referred to as Kemet (Kermit), or simply Kmt , which means the Black land. They called themselves "remetch en Kermet", which means the "People of the Black Land".
Who was at the top of Egyptian society?
the pharaohIn the social pyramid of ancient Egypt the pharaoh and those associated with divinity were at the top, and servants and slaves made up the bottom. The Egyptians also elevated some human beings to gods. Their leaders, called pharaohs, were believed to be gods in human form. They had absolute power over their subjects.
Who was last pharaoh of Egypt?
Cleopatra VII PhilopaterCleopatra (69 BCE–August 30, 30 BCE) was the ruler of Egypt as Cleopatra VII Philopater, She was the last of the Ptolemy dynasty of Egyptian rulers, and the very last Pharaoh of Egypt, ending a dynastic rule of some 5,000 years.
What was the most stable period in Egyptian history?
The twelfth dynasty was one of the most stable periods of Egyptian history. Powerful rulers expanded Egyptian territory into Canaan and Nubia. Egyptian literature produced such gems as the “Story of Sinuhe”, the “Tale of the Eloquent Peasant”, and the “Instructions of Amenemhat” and scholars composed numerous medical, mathematical, and legal papyrus.
What kingdom did the thirteenth dynasty rule?
With the demise of the twelfth dynasty central control waned. Although some scholars include the thirteenth dynasty in the Middle Kingdom, it was a shadow of its illustrious predecessor. The fourteenth dynasty (also sometimes included in the Middle Kingdom) ruled concurrently with the end of the thirteenth dynasty as a small breakaway kingdom located in the Delta. I have included both dynasty thirteen and fourteen in the Second Intermediate Period.
Which dynasty ruled from Thebes?
Middle Kingdom. The Eleventh Dynasty pharaohs all ruled from Thebes, however, the first four kings are often placed within the First Intermediate Period and Montuhotep Nebhetepre ( Montuhotep II) is described as the first pharaoh of the Middle Kingdom.
Who was the last Pharaoh of the Twelfth Dynasty?
Little is known about the last pharaoh of the dynasty, Montuhotep Nebtawyra (Montuhotep IV). However, there is some evidence that his vizier, Amenemhat, engineered a coup d’etate and installed himself as Amenemhat I, the first king of the Twelfth Dynasty.
Who was the ruler of Egypt during the Tenth Dynasty?
Their successor Intef Wahankh (Intef II) asserted his position as the ruler of all of Egypt, bringing him into a confrontation with the rulers of the Tenth Dynasty (based in Herakleopolis Magna). Intef led a number of raids and successfully captured the nome of Abydos but did not manage to reunite the whole country.
How many kings were there in the 11th dynasty?
Manetho states that the Eleventh Dynasty consisted of sixteen kings based in Thebes, who reigned for a total of forty-three years. This assertion contrasts with the Turin Kings List which names only seven kings ruling for a total of one hundred and forty-three years.
What were the acts of the Middle Kingdom Pharaohs?
Acts of the Middle Kingdom Pharaohs. Mentuhotep II made military campaigns in Nubia, which Egypt had lost by the 1st Intermediate Period. So did Senusret I under whom Buhen became Egypt's southern border. Mentuhotep III was the first Middle Kingdom ruler to send an expedition to Punt for incense.
What dynasty was Egypt in?
It was composed of part of the 11th Dynasty, the 12th Dynasty, and current scholars add the first half of the 13th Dynasty. Predynastic Egypt. Pharaohs of the Predynastic Period, Old Kingdom and Middle Kingdom.
What was Amenemhat III's role in the Nile Delta?
Amenemhat III (c.1831-1786) engaged in mining operations that made heavy use of Asiatics and may have led to the settling of Hyksos in the Nile Delta . At Fayum a dam was built to channel Nile overflow into a natural lake to be used as needed for irrigation.
Where was the capital of the Middle Kingdom?
Middle Kingdom Capital. When 1st Intermediate Period Theban king Nebhepetra Mentuhotep II (2055-2004) reunited Egypt, the capital was at Thebes. Twelfth Dynasty king Amenemhat moved the capital to a new town, Amenemhat-itj -tawy (Itjtawy), in the Faiyum region, possibly near the necropolis at Lisht. The capital remained at Itjtawy ...
What were the three types of burials in the Middle Kingdom?
During the Middle Kingdom, there were three types of burials: surface graves, with or without coffin. shaft graves, usually with coffin. tombs with coffin and sarcophagus. Mentuhotep II's mortuary monument was at Deir-el-Bahri in western Thebes. It was not the saff-tomb type of previous Theban rulers nor the reversion to Old Kingdom types ...
How long did the 12th dynasty last?
Her rule of Upper and Lower Egypt, lasting 3 years, 10 months and 24 days, according to the Turin Canon, was the last one in the 12th Dynasty.
Who was the first ruler of the Middle Kingdom to send an expedition to Punt for incense?
Mentuhotep III was the first Middle Kingdom ruler to send an expedition to Punt for incense. He also built fortifications at Egypt's northeastern border. Senusret instituted the practice of building of monuments at every cult site and paid attention to the cult of Osiris.
How did the Middle Kingdom re-establish power?
Early in the Middle Kingdom, the king re-established his power by taking direct control of the military and by appointing important administrative positions to trusted and loyal members of the family.
What was the significance of the second intermediate period?
Around 1780 BC, the immigrant Hyksos gained power in Lower Egypt, which led to the Second Intermediate Period.
What is the Middle Kingdom?
The Middle Kingdom of Egypt (also known as The Period of Reunification) is the period in the history of ancient Egypt following a period of political division known as the First Intermediate Period. The Middle Kingdom lasted from approximately 2040 to 1782 BC, stretching from the reunification ...
Who was the founder of the Middle Kingdom?
After toppling the last rulers of the Tenth Dynasty, Mentuhotep began consolidating his power over all of Egypt, a process which he finished by his 39th regnal year. For this reason, Mentuhotep II is regarded as the founder of the Middle Kingdom.
How long did Mentuhotep III rule?
Mentuhotep III reigned for only twelve years, during which he continued consolidating Theban rule over the whole of Egypt, building a series of forts in the eastern Delta region to secure Egypt against threats from Asia. He also sent the first expedition to Punt during the Middle Kingdom, using ships constructed at the end of Wadi Hammamat, on the Red Sea. Mentuhotep III was succeeded by Mentuhotep IV, whose name, significantly, is omitted from all ancient Egyptian king lists. The Turin Papyrus claims that after Mentuhotep III came "seven kingless years". Despite this absence, his reign is attested from a few inscriptions in Wadi Hammamat that record expeditions to the Red Sea coast and to quarry stone for the royal monuments. The leader of this expedition was his vizier Amenemhat, who is widely assumed to be the future pharaoh Amenemhet I, the first king of the Twelfth Dynasty.
How long did the Middle Kingdom last?
The Middle Kingdom lasted from approximately 2040 to 1782 BC , stretching from the reunification of Egypt under the reign of Mentuhotep II in the Eleventh Dynasty to the end of the Twelfth Dynasty. The kings of the Eleventh Dynasty ruled from Thebes and the kings of the Twelfth Dynasty ruled from el-Lisht .
When did the Hyksos enter Egypt?
A group of West Asiatic peoples (possibly Canaanites and precursors of the future Hyksos) depicted entering Egypt circa 1900 BC. From the tomb of a 12th dynasty official Khnumhotep II under pharaohs Amenemhat II and Senusret II, at Beni Hasan.
What was the Middle Kingdom's military strategy?
However, the Middle Kingdom was basically defensive in its military strategy, with fortifications built at the First Cataract of the Nile, in the Delta and across the Sinai Isthmus.
What was the most important deity in the Middle Kingdom?
During the Middle Kingdom period, Osiris became the most important deity in popular religion. The Middle Kingdom was followed by the Second Intermediate Period of Egypt, another period of division that involved foreign invasions of the country by the Hyksos of West Asia.
How long did the Middle Kingdom rule?
The final era of Middle Kingdom transformation occurred in Dynasty 13, when about fifty kings ruled over approximately 150 years. While a few occupied the throne for longer periods, some reigned for a year or less. Kingship in Dynasty 13 certainly did not pass serially from father to son or even within a single family, but rather seems to have circulated among the leading families. It is unclear what happened to these short-reigning kings. One might speculate that the role of the king had become largely ceremonial, with rotating pharaohs serving for a limited amount of time and high-ranking officials wielding true political power. But surviving records do not substantiate such practices.
What was the Middle Kingdom's dramatic shift?
Much of our fascination with the Middle Kingdom lies in the dramatic shift that occurred in mid- to late Dynasty 12, during the reigns of Senwosret II, Senwosret III, and Amenemhat III. Unfortunately, no text explains these transformations, which are manifested in the remains of architecture, tombs and their grave goods, relief decoration, literature, and, most vividly, the sculpted faces of the kings and their courtiers ( 56.136 ). These changes must reflect profound alterations in religious beliefs and practices, the king’s role as a political and spiritual leader, and the relationship between the king and his people.
What was the name of the new capital of the Old Kingdom?
The early Middle Kingdom revival of Old Kingdom forms continued at the start of Dynasty 12 under kings Amenemhat I and Senwosret I , when a new capital was established in the north at Itjtawi, near the center of Old Kingdom political power. Sculpture, relief, painting, and architecture show clear affinities with Old Kingdom traditions, though some influence of Dynasty 11 remains ( 08.200.5 ). During these reigns the building of pyramid complexes resumed, accompanied by mastabas constructed as memorials and burial places for the elite.
What was the importance of monumentality in the Middle Kingdom?
During the Middle Kingdom, monumentality achieved a greater balance between architecture and sculpture. While large temples, pyramid complexes, and tomb superstructures were built, none of these buildings had the same massiveness as their Old or New Kingdom counterparts. At the same time, overlifesize and monumental sculptures—largely, though not exclusively, depicting the pharaoh—became widespread ( L.2011.42 ). Monumentality was a device used by Middle Kingdom kings to stress their dominion over the entire country.
What is Middle Kingdom art?
Although within the norms of Egyptian representation, southern Theban art at the very beginning of the Middle Kingdom displays distinct local traits, including figures with attenuated limbs and emphasized eyes, and forms with a high degree of interior patterning ( 14.2.7 ). Some two-dimensional representations that seem to have little precedent are particular to the Theban area, including depictions of intriguing rites connected with the goddess Hathor and the beautification of queens. Tombs and temple have dramatic pillared facades, and these are set against the sheer limestone cliffs that are an impressive feature of the southern landscape. As the reunification of the country proceeded under Mentuhotep II ( 26.3.29 ), and closer connections were established with the north and its traditions, Theban artworks melded the styles and iconography of the two regions.
Why are there no temples in the Middle Kingdom?
Many Middle Kingdom monuments are poorly preserved, which contributes to the era’s relative lack of modern prominence. Because Egyptian temples dedicated to deities were often replaced by succeeding kings , almost no Middle Kingdom temples remain standing. Many Middle Kingdom pyramids were constructed with mud-brick cores that eroded after their limestone casing was removed by ancient stone robbers. The lack of attention to Middle Kingdom monuments is unfortunate, as this was a period of beautiful artworks rendered with great skill and sensitivity ( 14.3.17 ).
When was the Claw Anklet of Sithathoryunet?
Department of Egyptian Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art. February 2019. The Middle Kingdom designates a period of ancient Egyptian civilization stretching from approximately 2030 to 1650 B.C. (Dynasty 11 through Dynasty 13). During this era, the cultural principles set out at the beginning ...
Why is the Middle Kingdom considered a golden age?
The Middle Kingdom has been labeled by historians as a the Golden Age due to the economic, social and political stability of the time period. Trading, arts and literature all flourished in the Middle Kingdom.
Where were the tombs of the Pharaohs buried?
Their tombs were buried all over Egypt making it difficult for intruders to find and steal.
What were the jobs of the upper class in Egypt?
The upper class held jobs such as merchants and artisans while the lower class were serfs who worked on the lands as well as the majority of people within the society. The Great Pyramids of Egypt. Part of the Middle Kingdom of Egypt.
What happened during the Intermediate Period?
While the First Intermediate Period took place, new powers began to emerge sparking rival dynasties between Heracleopolis (Lower Egypt) and Thebes (Upper Egypt). Not long after the rivalry began, the King of Thebes, Mentuhotep, defeated the ruler of Heracleopolis and reunited all of Egypt under one rule. This began the Middle Kingdom and ...
Where is the Middle Kingdom located?
The Middle Kingdom (1975-1640 BC) The Faiyum is an oasis located west of the Nile in Lower Egypt. Mentuhotep II is considered the founder of the Middle Kingdom. Mentuhotep II was part of Dynasty XI (11), which ruled Upper Egypt from the city of Thebes. He defeated the last of the rulers of the Dynasty X, who ruled Lower Egypt, ...
What was the capital of the Middle Kingdom?
Thebes, a city in Upper Egypt, became the capital city of the pharaohs of the Middle Kingdom. The Middle Kingdom was a time of achievements for the ancient Egyptians. Art took on new styles and techniques, like the block style, where art was produced from large blocks of stone. Irrigation projects at the Faiyum, ...
Why did the Hyksos invade Egypt?
We are not sure why the Hyksos left their lands and invaded Egypt. One theory is that there was crop failure and famine in their lands. The Egyptians had never seen war chariots. Horses were not common in Egypt. With their superior bronze weapons, and powerful composite bows, the Hyksos quickly conquered Lower Egypt.
What did the Hyksos do?
The Hyksos began to write in hieroglyphics and worship Egyptian gods. Meanwhile, to the south in Upper Egypt, the rulers of Thebes studied and copied the superior weapons of the Hyksos, captured and bred horses, and readied themselves for the day they would take back Lower Egypt.
Why did the Egyptians never put walls around their cities?
The Egyptians always felt safe from foreign invasions, so safe, that they never placed walls around their cities. Egypt always relied on its natural walls: the deserts to the east and west, and the cataracts, or waterfalls, in the Nile to the south. These natural defenses kept armies and navies from invading.
Why did the Egyptians write the tale of the shipwrecked sailor?
The Tale of the Shipwrecked Sailor. Egyptians used writing before the Middle Kingdom for record keeping and honoring the gods and goddesses. In the Middle Kingdom, Egyptians used writing to tell stories. One of the most famous stories from this period is the Tale of the Shipwrecked Sailor.
How many kings were there in 70 days?
During this time, Egyptian scribes write about a time when there were, "70 kings in 70 days.". This may seem to be an exaggeration, however, it tells of a time of unrest and a lack of continuous leadership. The Faiyum is an oasis located west of the Nile in Lower Egypt.
What were the main groups of Egyptians that gained independence during the Middle Kingdom?
Priests and nobles gain independence and power during the Middle Kingdom. Egypt was separated into nomes, which were religious, as well as administrative districts and were ruled by Nomarchs. Ancient Egyptians were ruled by religion every day, always fearful of the Gods and death.
How many kingdoms are there in Egypt?
HomeThe History of EgyptThe 3 Kingdoms. The Three Kingdoms of Ancient Egypt. Archaeologists divide the ancient Egyptian timeline into three distinct categories, the Old Kingdom, the Middle Kingdom, and the New Kingdom. Each kingdom has its own specific time period as well as pharaohs, constructions, and culture.
Why were the Great Pyramids built?
During the Old Kingdom, the Great Pyramids of Gizaand the Sphinxwere constructed due to a long-standing peaceful period.
How did women become kings in the Old Kingdom?
Women were highly respected in the Old Kingdom. They owned land and passed it down to their daughters. A pharaoh could only become king after marrying the previous king’s daughter.
What did the New Kingdom bring to Egypt?
The New Kingdom brought luxury, power, and wealth for Egypt.
What are the three kingdoms of Egpyt?
Discover more about the three kingdoms (the Old, Middle and New Kingdom) of ancient Egpyt and the key aspects of society during these times.
Who was the first pharaoh of Egypt?
The first pharaoh of the Old Kingdom was Djoser, who ruled Egypt from 2630-2611 B.C. He was responsible for the construction of one of the very first pyramids ever built by the ancient Egyptians. His “step” pyramid at Saqqarastarted the Egyptian tradition of constructing pyramids as burial places for pharaohs.
Middle Kingdom Capital
Middle Kingdom Burials
- During the Middle Kingdom, there were three types of burials: 1. surface graves, with or without coffin 2. shaft graves, usually with coffin 3. tombs with coffin and sarcophagus. Mentuhotep II's mortuary monument was at Deir-el-Bahri in western Thebes. It was not the saff-tomb type of previous Theban rulers nor the reversion to Old Kingdom types of 12th Dynasty rulers. It had terr…
Acts of The Middle Kingdom Pharaohs
- Mentuhotep II made military campaigns in Nubia, which Egypt had lost by the 1st Intermediate Period. So did Senusret I under whom Buhen became Egypt's southern border. Mentuhotep III was the first Middle Kingdom ruler to send an expedition to Punt for incense. He also built fortifications at Egypt's northeastern border. Senusret instituted the prac...
Feudal Hierarchy of The Middle Kingdom
- There were still nomarchs in the Middle Kingdom, but they were no longer independent and lost power over the period. Under the pharaoh was the vizier, his chief minister, although there may have been 2 at times. There were also chancellor, overseer, and governors of Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt. Towns had mayors. The bureaucracy was supported by taxes assessed in kind on …
Osiris, Death, and Religion
- In the Middle Kingdom, Osiris became the god of the necropolises. Pharaohs had participated in mystery rites for Osiris, but now [rivate individuals also took part in these rites. During this period, all people were thought to have the spiritual force or ba. Like the rites of Osiris, this had formerly been the province of kings. Shabtis were introduced. Mummies were given cartonnage masks. C…
Female Pharaoh
- There was a female pharaoh in the 12th Dynasty, Sobekneferu/Neferusobek, daughter of Amenemhat III, and possibly half-sister of Amenemhet IV. Sobekneferu (or possibly Nitocris of the 6th Dynasty) was the first ruling queen of Egypt. Her rule of Upper and Lower Egypt, lasting 3 years, 10 months and 24 days, according to the Turin Canon, was the last one in the 12th Dynasty.
Sources
- The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt. by Ian Shaw. OUP 2000. Detlef Franke "Middle Kingdom" The Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt. Ed. Donald B. Redford, OUP 2001