The Twelfth Dynasty (2000-1785B.C.)

The Twelfth Dynasty (2000-1785B.C.)

This is one of the most glorious dynasties of Egyptian history. It was founded by Amenemhet I. The kings of the Twelfth Dynasty are:

Amenemhet I                             2000-1970 B.C.

Senusert I (Sesostris)                 198o-1936 B.C

Amenemhet II                            1938-1904 B.C.

Senusert II                                  1906-1888 B.C.

Senusert III                                   1887-1850 B.C.

Amenemhet III                             1850-1800 B.C.

Amenemhet IV                             1800-1792 B.C.

Queen Sobek-neferu-rea               1792-1785 B.C.

Amenemhet I    

Amenemhet I was the first ruler of the 12th Dynasty. He was most probably the same vizier, named Amenemhet, under Mentuhotep IV. This vizier, as recorded in an inscription, was sent by Mentuhotep IV to Wadi Hammamt. The inscription records two omens. The first tells us of a gazelle that gave birth to her calf atop the stone that had been chosen for the lid of the King's sarcophagus.  The second was the discovery of a well 10 cubits square and full of water after a ferocious rainstorm.  

Amenemhet I from his mortuary complex at el-lisht

Amenemhet I ruled Egypt for almost 30 years. Amenemhet I's Horus name, Wehem-mesut, means "he who repeats births", and almost certainly was chosen to commemorate the new dynasty and a return to the values and prosperity of a united Egypt. Amenemhet (Amenemhat) was his birth name and means "Amun is at the Head". His throne name was Sehetep-ib-re, which means "Satisfied is the Heart of Re".

Amenemhet was probably the son of a woman named Nofret, from Elephantine and a priest called Senusert, according to an inscription at Thebes. So his origin is probably southern Egypt. Amenemhet established Egypt's first co-regency with his son, Senusret I, during the last 10 years of his rule. He was not only seeking to assure the succession of his proper heir, but he was also providing the young prince valuable training under his direct supervision. Senusert was given several active roles in Amenemhet I's government, specifically on the military sphere.

We know of several pieces of literature that probably date from his reign, some of which appears to support his reign with fables of kingship. The Prophety of Neferty mentions a ruler emerging named Ameny, who was foretold by a prophet in the Old Kingdom (Neferty). Neferty was a Heliopolis sage who seems familiar to us from Djedi in the Papyrus Westcar. He is summoned to the court of Snefru, during whose reign the story is suppose to have taken place.

Amenemhet I moved the capital to a new location, which enabled him a more central administrative control of Egypt. The name of the new capital was Amenemhet-itj-tawy, which means, "Amenemhet the Seizer of the Two lands". It was located on the edge of the Fayoum Oasis, though the city ruins have not yet been discovered.

 He did begin a tomb at Thebes, and then abandoned it for a pyramid at el-Lisht, near the new capital. His pyramid at el Lisht seems to portray a return to some of the values of the Old Kingdom, while still embracing the Theban concepts of the region of his birth. An inscription found on the foundation blocks of the mortuary temple records Amenemhet's royal jubilee.  

When he ascended the throne, Egypt was made up of small states, the rulers of which owed the king their loyalty but were neither his officials nor his servants. They were not appointed by the king, since their posts were hereditary. It was thus a feudal state which could only exist as long as the king was strong, but any sign of weakness meant its rapid dissolution. Amenemhet I did his best to limit the power of these governors and increase the rights of the king. He restored the original boundaries between the different nomes thus preventing as far as possible the quarrels amongst them. He re-organized the administration of the country, keeping the nomarchs who had supported him, while weakening the regional governors by appointing new officials at Asyut, Cusae and Elephantine. They collected taxes and sent them to the king; they prepared soldiers for war and the service of the king. An inscription records that he also divided the nomes (provinces) into different sets of towns and redistributed the territories by reference to the Nile flood. His policy created a more centralized government, together with an increase in bureaucracy. The skill of his great state’s men finally achieved a stable organisation which enabled Egypt to begin a period of productive development and great prosperity.

He sent military expeditions against the Asiatics, Beduins, Lybians and Nubians, thus securing the safety of Egypt on all sides; he also added territory to Egypt. Other expeditions were also sent to Sinai to extract copper and to Wadi-el-Hammamat to quarry stones.

Amenemhet led several campaigns against the Asiatics. He drove these people back, and built the Walls-of-the-Ruler, as series of fortifications along Egypt's northeastern frontiers. None of these fortifications has ever been found, though the remains of a canal in the region may date from the period.

In Nubia, Amenemhet I pushed his army southward to Elephantine, where he consolidated his rule for a number of years. This expedition was apparently led by Khnum-hotep I, governor of the Oryx nome, who traveled up the Nile with 20 boats.  By year 29 of Amenemhet's rule, the new policy was targeting the conquest and colonization of Nubia with the principle aim of obtaining raw materials, especially gold. An inscription at the northern Nubian site of Korosko about half way between the first and second cataracts states that the people of Wawat (northern Nubia) were defeated in his 29th year, and he apparently drove his army as far south as the second cataract.  In order to protect Egypt and fortify captured territory in Nubia, he founded a fortress at Semna and Quban in the region of the second Nile Cataract. Along with protecting his newly acquired territory and the gold mines in Wadi Allaqi, he enhanced the economic contacts with Upper Nubia and further south. Diplomatic and commercial relations with Byblos and the Aegean world were also renewed during his reign.  

Amenemhet I took part in a number of building projects. Besides his fortresses, we know he built at Babastis, el-Khatana and Tanis. He undertook important building works at Karnak, from which a few statues and a granite naos survive. He may have even established the original temple of Mut to the south of the Temple of Amun. He also worked at Koptos (Coptos), where he partly decorated the temple of Min, at Abydos, where he dedicated a granite altar to Osiris, at Dendera, where he built a granite gateway to Hathor and at Memphis, where he built a temple of Ptah. Also a little north of Tell el-Dab'a, he apparently began a small mudbrick temple at Ezbet Rushdi, that was later expanded by Senusret III.

Religiously, being from southern Egypt, Amenemhet I's allegiance was probably to the god Amun, and in fact, we find from this period forward the rise of Amun as the supreme deity of Thebes.

 There was an increase in the mineral wealth of the royal family, as documented by the jewelry caches found in several 12th Dynasty royal burials. It is obvious from several sources of evidence that even the standard of living of middle class Egyptians was getting better, though their level of wealth was proportional to their official offices.

Amenemhet I was a very wise leader, he managed to correct the problems of the First Intermediate Period, by protecting Egypt's boarders from invasion and assuring a legitimate succession.  Yet he was murdered in an apparent harem plot while his co-regent was leading a campaign in Libya. Again, we find two literary works, the Tale of Sinuhe and the Instructions of Amenemhet I, reflecting this king's tragic end. The Instructions of Amenemhet presents the account of Amenemhet I's murder, supposedly provided by the king himself from beyond the grave.  He describes an attempt to murder him in the night, and advises his son to “trust no brother and know no friend”, and comments on the ingratitude on the part of those whom he had benefited. Senusret I succeeded his father and there seems to have been little or no disruption in the administration of the country.

SenusertI

   

Senusret I was the second king of the 12th Dynasty and ascended to the throne after the murder of his father, Amenemhet I. There had apparently been a harem plot, and Amenemhet I was assassinated in the absence of his son, who was fighting in Libya. Senusret I was made a co-regent in the 20th year of Amenemhet I's rule, and so was by the time of his father's death firmly established as the heir to the throne.           

Senusret I was the king's birth name, and means "Man of goddess Usert". His throne name was Kheper-ka-re, which means, "The Soul of Re comes into Being". His mother was probably one of Amenemhet I's chief wives. He married a Queen Nefru, who was the mother of his successor son, Amenemhet II. Like his father, Amenemhet II was also made a coregent, but only perhaps three years prior to Senusret I's death. The coregency was recorded by a private stele of Simontu that is now in the British Museum.  

Senusret I probably ruled Egypt for a period of about 34 years after his father's death during a period in Egypt's history where literature and craftsmanship was at its peek. He was a co-regent of his father far perhaps another ten years.  

It was a period of affluence, and a remarkable time for mineral wealth, gold and the fine jewelry produced with this abundance. Jewelry masterpieces have been found, particularly in the tombs of the royal ladies at Dahshur and Lahun, attributable to his reign. Considerable efforts were made to procure amethyst, turquoise, copper and gniess for both jewelry and sculptures. But it was also a time of great stability and development.

Senusret I embraces the creator god Ptah at Karnak

Tablet attributable to Senusret I at Elephantine

The letters of an old farmer named Heka-nakhte to his family probably mention a famine during the time of Senusret, a fact that is also implied by an inscription in the tomb of a nomarch (governor) named Amenemhat at Beni Hassan.

Senuset I continued many of his father's policies, including the expansion in northern Nubia. He sent one expedition to Nubia in his tenth year of reign, and eight years later, he sent another army as far south as the second cataract. His general, Mentuhotep, went even deeper into Nubia. However, Senusret I established Egypt's southern border at the fortress of Buhen near the second cataract, where he placed a garrison and a victory stele, thereby adding to the already substantial military presence established by his father. Now, there were at least 13 fortresses that extended as far as the Second Cataract. Senusert I exercised control of Nubia as far as the Third Cataract. He erected a stela which mentions that he subdued 10 towns of Nubia. The expeditions brought back much gold from Nubia.

Jewelry from the reign of Senusret I

He also protected the Delta region and the Western desert Oases from Libyan invasion by means of a series of military campaigns and by establishing control over oases in the Libyan Desert.

Senusert I radically changed the policy towards Syria/Palestine by seeking stable commercial and diplomatic relations rather then a policy of expansion and control. Trading caravans passed between Syria and Egypt exchanging cedar and ivory for Egyptian goods. 

Religiously, Senusret contributed considerable attention to the cult of Osiris, and over his long rule, this god's beliefs and practices flourished in Egypt. Osiris was a god of the people and in expanding this cult, Senusret I introduced the "democratization of the afterlife".

Senusret I with Amun-Re at Karnak

Senusret I had already established himself as a builder during the co-regency with his father by extending major temples, particularly at Karnak, where he is considered to have founded the temple of Ipet- sut (Karnak). He also built the famous bark shrine, or White Chapel, that has been reconstructed in the Open Air Museum at Karnak. It was built in order to celebrate his sed festival (Jubilee) in the 30th year of his reign, but the blocks for the temple were reused to build the third Pylon at Karnak. A scene in the White Chapel records the coronation of Senusret I.

The White Chapel at Karnak

As early as year two of his reign, he rebuilt the very important temple of Re-Atum at Heliopolis, a center of the sun cult. He probably even personally participated in the foundation ceremonies for the temple's reconstruction. He also had two, massive 20 meter red granite obelisks erected at the same temple on the occasion of his jubilee celebrating his 30th year in office. These monoliths would have weighed 121 tons each. One of the pair remains the oldest standing obelisk in Egypt.

 The more important projects included remodeling the temple of Khenti-amentiu-Osiris at Abydos. He also erected many memorial stele and small shrines, or cenotaphs, at Abydos, a practice that would be followed by many Middle and New Kingdom kings. We also find temples built by Sunusret I at Elepantine and Tod.

Limestone statues of Senusert I from his funerary temple

Senusret I also set up a program to build monuments in each of the main cult sites all over Egypt. This was really an extension of an Old Kingdom policy, but in reality he was following his fathers efforts to consolidate and centralize power.  This move undermined the power bases of local temples and priests.

In order to facilitate these building projects, he sent expeditions to exploit the stone quarries of Wadi Hammamat, Sinai at Serabit el-Khadim, Hatnub, where two expeditions were sent in years 23 and 31 of his reign for alabaster, and Wadi el Hudi. One of these expeditions extracted enough stone to make sixty sphinxes and 150 statues. The Egyptian Museum includes a large collection of his sphinxes and statues, especially the 10 statues discovered at his funerary temple. .

Fragment from Karnak pillar with Senusert I and Horus

He built a large pyramid at Lisht, near Itjtawy, the new capital.  His pyramid is located just to the south of his father's pyramid at el-Lisht.

Obelisk of Senusert I at Heliopolis

                                       

Amenemhet II   

           

Amenemhet II was the son of Senusret I and one of his chief queens, Nefru. He was the third ruler of Egypt's 12th Dynasty. Like his father, he served the first part of his reign as co-regent (perhaps for three years) with Senusret I. His co-regency may have been short, but we are told that during this co-regency, Amenemhet II led a Nubian expedition. Apparently, Amenemhet II also took his son, Senusret II as a co-regent, but also for only a brief time before his own death. Amenemhet II apparently ruled Egypt for a period of some 30 years after his co-regency. His birth name, Amenemhet, means "Amun is at the Head". His throne name was Nub-kau-re, which means "Golden are the Souls of Re".

Amenemhet II's Sphinx of red granite from Tanis

We have considerable knowledge of Amenemhet II's reigns because of a number of important documents. Some historical information about the 12th Dynasty comes from a set of official records known as the genut, or "day-books". There were found in the temple at Tod. Some of Amenemhet II's buildings also contain parts of these annals. They describe the day to day process of running the royal palace. One very important set of annuals were discovered at Mit Rahina (a part of Memphis) that record detailed descriptions of donations made to temples, lists of statues and buildings, reports of both military and trading expeditions and even royal activities such as hunting. These documents not only provide information on Amenemhet II, but other kings of the period as well.

Amenemhet II is probably best known for consolidating the work of his predecessors in foreign affairs. He exchanged gifts with other rulers in the Mediterranean (Levant) region. We find jewelry inscribed with his name in royal tombs at Byblos in Lebanon, as well as local copies of Egyptian jewelry. These items were particularly prevalent in the tomb of a local prince named Ipshemuabi. In addition, native rulers at Byblos even wrote short inscriptions in hieroglyphs, held the Egyptian title of count, and made references to Egyptian gods. They even acquired royal and private statuary.

Trove from the Montu Temple at Tod

On the other hand, four bronze boxes found at the temple of Montu at Tod and inscribed on their lids with the name of Amenemhet II bore a large number of silver cups of Lavantine and Aegean origin. There were also cylinder seals and lapis Lazuli amulets from Mesopotamia.  These items were probably either a gift, or tribute, and it is noteworthy that at the time, silver was more rare then gold in Egypt, so also more valuable.

Cylinder seal from Mesopotamia origin

In addition, Egyptian evidence from this period has been found in Crete at Knossos, and common Minoa pottery, called Kamares ware, has been found from this period at Lahun and in a tomb at Abydos in Egypt. There is also an increase in the mention of Levantine names, many of whom were possibly domestic servants, within Egypt. The annals found at Mit Rahina also identify the Syrian northern city of Tunip as an Egyptian trading partner.

The annals also refer to a small group of Egyptians who enter Bedouin territory (probably referring to Sinai) in order to "hack up the land", and two more campaigns were directed against unknown walled cities.  These towns were referred to as "Aamu" (Asiatic), and 1,554 prisoners were reported to have been taken by the Egyptian forces. This may very well be the reason we find the increase in Levantine names working as domestic servants.

There were also expeditions to the south and the biography in the tomb of Amenemhet at Beni Hassan mentions an expedition to Kush in southern Nubia and also a visit to the East African kingdom of Punt by the king's official, Khentykhetaywer. This trip was made in the 28th year of Amenemhat II's reign.

The Shipwrecked Sailor is a masterwork  of the Ancient Egyptian Literature known from the time of Amenemhet II. It is a fantastic story telling the adventure of a sailor to a mysterious magic island in the sea far south beyond Nubia. A storm arose suddenly and drove the ship towards a mysterious land. The sailor found himself alone on an unknown island. He suddenly heard a noise like thunder, and saw a huge serpent with a beard. Upon hearing that the sailor was sent by the king, the serpent let him go back, with gifts to "Amenemhet". It told him that it was Amon-Ra’s blessing that has made this island rich and lacking nothing. Upon hearing this amusing story, "Amenemhet II" ordered it to be documented on a papyrus. The story is known to historians as "The Shipwrecked Sailor".

Amenemhat II apparently allowed the important office of local governors in the provinces to revert back to a hereditary position. The governors soon took advantage of this change by adapting titles sometimes imitating those of the royal court.  However, Amenemhat did keep a firm hand on these matters and appears to not let these local rulers forget their allegiance to the crown. In return for royal favors, they were expected to help protect the Egyptian borders, to undertake expeditions for the king and to generally act as his deputies. Furthermore Amenemhet II set a new policy: the children of the local governors were sent to the king for their training, afterwards being sent to diverse posts.

Amenemhet II does not appear to have done much building, unlike many of his predecessors. Little is known of any building works with the exception of his Pyramid, though some projects may have been usurped by future rulers.

Amenemhet II built his pyramid in Dahshur. His two immediate predecessors, Amenemhet I and Senusret I had built their pyramids at Lisht near the Fayoum. Amenemhet II's pyramid introduces a new phase in pyramid development, that incorporates both ancient design with experimental components.

His is also attested to by a stele with his name found in the Wadi Um Balad, a gateway at Hermopolis, a large sphinx with his inscription now in the Louvre museum, and he is mentioned in several inscriptions near Aswan, together with his son.

Senusert II

Senusret II, the birth name of the fourth king of Egypt's 12th Dynasty, means "Man of Goddess Wosret". His throne name was Kha-kheper-re, meaning "The Being of Re appears". He succeeded his father Amenemhet II after a short co-regency of at least three years. References differ on the length of his rule, varying between about seven and fifteen years.

A group of statues was discovered, two of which had been usurped by Ramesses II, portraying Senusret II with wide, muscular shoulders like his father, but with a more vigorous face. This was a period of fine portrait art, reflected in the distinctive broad cheekbones and other characteristics portrayed in the statues. In fact, even a number of private statues have been found that also reflect this high art.

Better known then Senusret II's statues are a pair of of highly polished black granite statues of a lady Nefret, who did not carry the title of "Royal Wife", but who was probably either a wife  of Senusret II's who died before he ascended the throne, or a sister. She did, however, have other titles usually reserved for queens. His principal royal wife was Weret, who's body was found in a tomb under the pyramid of her son, Senusret III at Dahshur. Senusret III became Senusret II's successor, though so far their is no evidence of a co-regency with his father.  Senusret II probably also had several daughters, the jewelry of one of them was discovered in a tomb behind the king's pyramid.

Nefret

Senusret II's reign, like his father's is considered to be a peaceful one, with more diplomacy with many neighbors than warfare. We are told that trade with the Near East was particularly prolific and flourishing during his reign. His cordial relations with the regional leaders in Egypt are documented at Beni Hassan, for example, and especially in the tomb of Khnumhotep II, who he gave many honors. No military campaigns are mentioned during his rule.

A Stele of Senusret II in Quartzite

His efforts seem to have been more directed at expanding cultivation within the Fayoum region rather then making war with his neighbors and regional nobles. In the Fayoum, his projects turned a considerable area from marshlands into agricultural land.  He established a Fayoum irrigation project, including building a dyke and digging canals to connect the Fayoum with a waterway known today as Bahr Yusef.

 He seems to have had a great interest in the Fayoum. Later kings continued and expanded Senusret II's irrigation projects in the Fayoum. Senusret II built a unique statue shrine of Qasr es-Sagha on the north eastern corner of the region, though it was left undecorated and incomplete.

His father, Amenemhet II built his pyramid at Dahshure, but Senusret II built his pyramid closer to the Fayoum at Lahun. His pyramid definitely established a new tradition in pyramid building, perhaps begun by his father. To the south side of the pyramid Petrie excavated four shaft tombs that belonged to Senusret II's family and in one of these, he discovered a fine, gold inlaid uraeus that may have come from the king's mummy.

Senusret II

Senusret II is further attested to by a sphinx, now in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo and by inscriptions of both he and his father near Aswan.

It should also be mentioned that the pyramid town associated with Senusret II's complex, known as Lahun (Kahun) after the nearby modern village, provided considerable information to archaeologists and Egyptologists on the common lives of Egyptians. Pyramid towns were communities of workmen, craftsmen and administrators that grew up around a king's pyramid project.