- The Middle Kingdom (1938–c. 1630 bce) and the Second Intermediate period (c. 1630–1540 bce) The Middle Kingdom. Mentuhotep II campaigned in Lower Nubia, where he may have been preceded by the Inyotefs. His mortuary complex in Thebes contained some of the earliest known depictions of Amon-Re, the dynastic god of the Middle Kingdom and the New Kingdom. Mentuhotep II was himself.
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Other articles where Middle Kingdom is discussed: ancient Egypt: The Middle Kingdom (1938–c. 1630 bce) and the Second Intermediate period (c. 1630–1540 bce): Mentuhotep II campaigned in Lower Nubia, where he may have been preceded by the Inyotefs. His mortuary complex in Thebes contained some of the earliest known depictions of Amon-Re. Download kmplayer video.
Egyptian Dynasties Middle Kingdom 2055 – 1650 BC
Eleventh Dynasty 2125 – 1985 BC
The Middle Kingdom begins with the reunification of the country under Mentuhotep I who ousted the kings of Herakleopolis.He assumed the Horus name Divine of the White Crown, implicitly claiming all of Upper Egypt. This was later changed to Uniter of the Two Lands. His remarkable mortuary complex at Dayr al-Bahri was the architectural inspiration for Hatshepsut’s temple which was built alongside some 500 years later
- Intef I 2125-2112
- Intef II 2112-2063
- Intef III 2063-2055
- Mentuhotep I 2055-2004
- Mentuhotep II 2004-1992
- Mentuhotep III 1992-1985
Twelfth Dynasty 1991 – 1782 BC
Amenemhet I moved the capital back to the Memphis. There was a revival of Old Kingdom artistic styles. He later took his son, Sesostris as his co-regent. During the 10 years of joint rule Sesostris undertook campaigns in Lower Nubia which led to its conquest. Amenemhet was murdered during Sesostris’ absence on a campaign in Libya, but Sesostris was able to maintain his hold on the throne and consolidated his father’s achievements, Sesostris III reorganised Egypt into four regions the northern and southern halves of the Nile Valley and the eastern and western Delta. He and his successor Amenemhet III left a striking artistic legacy in the form of statuary depicting them as ageing, careworn rulers.
It was during this period that the written language was regularised in its classical form of Middle Egyptian. The first body of literary texts was composed in this form, although several are ascribed to Old Kingdom authors. The most important of these is the “Instruction for Merikare,” a discourse on kingship and moral responsibility.
Queen Sobeknefru, the first female monarch marked the end of the dynastic line.
- Amenemhet I 1985-1955
- Sesostris I 1965-1920
- Amenemhet II 1922-1878
- Sesostris II 1880-1874
- Sesostris III 1874-1855
- Amenemhet III 1855-1808
- Amenemhet IV 1808-1799
- Queen Sobeknefru 1799-1795
Thirteenth Dynasty 1782 – 1650 BC
The true chronology of the 13th dynasty is rather vague since there are few surviving monuments from this period. There were many kings who reigned for a short time, who were not of a single family and some were born commoners. The last fifty years represents a gradual decline. It seems that after the death of Ay, the eastern Delta broke away under its own petty kings (14th dynasty). There is even less known about this dynasty.
Asiatic immigration became widespread, the northeastern Delta being settled by successive waves of Palestinians.
- Wegaf
- Intef IV
- Hor
- Sobekhotep II
- Khendjer
- Sobekhotep III
- Neferhotep I
- Sobekhotep IV Around 1725
- Ay
- Neferhotep II
Fourteenth Dynasty – Lasted for around 57 years and little is known and it might have been contemporary with the thirteenth Dynasty. The Delta was settled by successive waves of nomadic people from Palestine.
Second Intermediate Period 1650 – 1550 BC
The Middle Kingdom fell because of the weakness of its later kings, which lead to Egypt being invaded by an Asiatic, desert people called the Hyksos. These invaders made themselves kings and held the country for more than two centuries. The word Hyksos goes back to an Egyptian phrase meaning “ruler of foreign lands”.
The Jewish historian Josephus (1st century AD) mentions them. He depicts the new rulers as sacrilegious invaders who despoiled the land but with the exception of the title Hyksos they presented themselves as Egyptian kings and appear to have been accepted as such. They tolerated other lines of kings within the country, both those of the 17th dynasty and the various minor Hyksos who made up the 16th dynasty.
Fifteenth Dynasty 1650 – 1550 BC
The Hyksos, sometimes referred to as the Shepherd Kings or Desert Princes, sacked the old capital of Memphis and built their capital at Avaris, in the Delta. The dynasty consisted of five possibly six kings, the best-known being Apepi I, who reigned for up to 40 years.
Their rule brought many technical innovations to Egypt, from bronze working, pottery and looms to new musical instruments and musical styles. New breeds of animals and crops were introduced. But the most important changes was in the area of warfare; composite bows, new types of daggers and scimitars, and above all the horse and chariot. In many ways the Hyksos modernised Egypt and Ultimately Egypt was to benefit from their rule.
- Sheshi
- Yakubher
- Khyan
- Apepi I
- Apepi II
Sixteenth Dynasty 1650 – 1550 BC
- Anather
- Yakobaam
Seventeenth Dynasty 1650 – 1550 BC
While the Hyksos ruled northern Egypt a new line of native rulers was developing in Thebes. They controlled the area from Elephantine in the south, to Abydos in the middle of the country.
The early rulers made no attempt to challenge the Hyksos but an uneasy truce existed between them. However, the later rulers rose against the Hyksos and a number of battles were fought. King Tao II, also know as Seqenenre, was probably killed in one of these battles since his mummy shows evidence of terrible head wounds. It was to be one of his sons Ahmose, the founder of the Eighteenth dynasty, who was to expel the Hyksos from Egypt.
- Sobekemsaf
- Intef VII
- Tao I
- Tao II Around 1560
- Kamose 1555-1550
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