Middle Kingdom of Egypt
Middle Kingdom of Egypt | Facts, History Egyptian Pharaohs kings

Middle Kingdom of Egypt | Facts Ancient Egypt, History of Egyptian Pharaohs kings & Female Pharaohs, Egyptian Antiquities, Timeline and more about Ancient Egypt History.

Discover the history of the Pharaonic civilization, and the most important Pharaonic antiquities associated with each king, characteristics, the most famous kings and their most important works.

The period of rule in Ancient Egyptian Government included the kings and queens of the dynasties of the Eleventh Egyptian Dynasty, the Twelfth Egyptian Dynasty, and the Thirteenth Pharaonic Egyptian Dynasty.

After that, ancient Egypt entered under the rule of the kings of the Fourteenth Dynasty of Egypt, and Egypt’s economic conditions began to deteriorate and enter into the second transitional stage known as the Second Intermediate Period of Egypt.

Middle Kingdom of Egypt Facts

The era of the Middle Kingdom, or the so-called Middle Kingdom of Egypt, is one of the periods that passed through Egypt and helped in its prosperity.

Below we will mention a group of information related to that historical era, including mentioning the most famous kings and queens of the Pharaohs during that period.

When did the Middle Kingdom of Egypt start and end?

The founding of the Middle Kingdom of Egypt began in 2055 and continued until 1650 BC.

Which pharaoh united Egypt during the Middle Kingdom?

King Mentuhotep I was the first king to the throne in ancient Egypt from the Eleventh Dynasty of Egypt in the Middle Kingdom period then King Mentuhotep II who united Egypt during the Middle Kingdom.

What was also known as the Middle Kingdom of Egypt?

This is the period of the rule of the Thebes Kingdom “Luxor” in southern Egypt. The Egyptian civilization regained its strength at this stage and spread beyond the borders of Egypt, as in the Geography of ancient Egypt, and the Levant and Upper Nubia were directly under its cultural and political influence.

The worship of the God Amun, the most famous ancient Egyptian deities, appeared, and the High Priest of Amun appeared in all Egyptian Temples.

What was the capital of the Middle Kingdom in ancient Egypt?

Thebes is the first capital in the Middle Kingdom of Egypt, followed by the city of Itjtawy, south of Cairo.

Who was the kings of Middle Kingdom Egypt?

Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs Kings of the Eleventh Dynasty of Egypt:

It was the time period to rule kings Eleventh Dynasty of Egypt From 2134 to 1991 B.C.E.

king Intef the Elder
King Mentuhotep I or Mentuhotep-aa

Ruled Reign period in Middle Kingdom of Egypt: 2135 BC

Father: King Intef the Elder

Mother: Queen

Wife: Queen Neferu I

Children: Intef I, Intef II.

The Discovery: Sitting statue

king Intef I or Sehertawy Intef I

Ruled Reign period: 2133–2117 BC “5-10 years”

Father: King Mentuhotep I

Mother: Queen Neferu I

Wife:

Children:.

The Discovery: Stone inscription in the Temple of God Montu in the Karnak Temple Complex in Luxor, Pharaonic tomb “Egyptian Tombs“.

king Intef II or Wahankh Intef II, Inyotef II, Antef II

Ruled Reign period: 2117–2068 BC “49 years”

Father: King Mentuhotep I

Mother: Queen Neferu I

Wife: Queen Neferukayet

Children: Intef III, Iah.

The Discovery: Pharaonic tomb in El-Tarif Tombs, Luxor.

Date of death: 2063 BC

king Intef III

Ruled Reign period in Middle Kingdom of Egypt: 2068–2060 BC “8 years”

Father: King Intef II

Mother: Queen Neferu-Khayet

Wife: Queen Iah, Queen Henite

Children: Mentuhotep II, Neferu II.

The Discovery: Pharaonic tomb in El-Tarif Tombs “Saff el-Baqar”, Luxor.

Date of death: 2061 BC

king Mentuhotep II or Nebhepetre

Ruled Reign period: 2060–2009 BC “51 years”

Father: King Intef III

Mother: Queen Iah.

Wife: Queen Tem, Queen Neferu II, Queen Ashayet, Queen Henhenet, Queen Kawit, Queen Kemsit, Queen Sadeh.

Children: Mentuhotep III, Mayet.

The Discovery: Stone statue made of colored sandstone “Ancient Egyptian Metallurgy“, a cylindrical ring, the Mortuary temple of Mentuhotep II in Deir El Bahari, a Pharaonic tomb in The Pharaonic Tombs from Thebes, the ruins of demolished temples, Cylinder seals, Head statue, Model of granary.

Date of death: 2009 BC

king Mentuhotep III or Montuhotep III, Sankhkare Mentuhotep III

Ruled Reign period: 2009–1997 BC “12 years”

Mother: Queen Tem.

Wife: Queen Imi .

The Discovery: Stone statues, Pharaonic tomb in Saqqara, Temple at Thoth Hill in Western Thebes,

Date of death: 1997 BC

king Mentuhotep IV

Ruled Reign period in Middle Kingdom of Egypt: 1997–1991 BC “7 years”

Father: King Intef III

Wife: Queen Imi .

Date of death: 1991 BC

king Segerseni
king Qakare Ini
king Iyibkhentre

 

Kings of the Twelfth Dynasty of Egypt:

It was period Temporary Ancient Egyptian Pharaohs kings Twelfth Dynasty of Egypt from 2060-1802 B.C.E.

King Amenemhat I or Amenemhet I

Ruled Reign period: 1991–1962 BC “29 years”

Father: King Senusret

Mother: Queen Neferet

Wife: Queen Neferitatjenen

Children: Senusret I, Neferu III, Neferusherit, Kayet.

The Discovery: Pyramid of Amenemhat I, stone statue, funerary complex in el-Lisht.

King Senusret I or Sesostris I, Senwosret I

Ruled Reign period: 1971–1926 BC “43 years”

Father: King Amenemhat I

Mother: Queen Neferitatjenen

Wife: Queen Neferu III

Children: Amenemhat II, Amenemhat-ankh, Itakayt, Sebat, Neferusobek, Neferuptah.

The Discovery: Pyramid of Senusret I, stone statues, the white chapel or white temple in the Karnak temple complex, a stone temple and Obelisks in Heliopolis, a granite statue base.

Date of death: 1926 BC

king Amenemhat II or Amenemhet II, Nubkaure Amenemhat II

Ruled Reign period in Middle Kingdom of Egypt: 1929–1895 BC “35 years”

Father: King Senusret I

Mother: Queen Neferitatjenen

The Discovery: Tomb , Stone statues, White Pyramid and a mortuary temple in Dahshur.

king Senusret II

Ruled Reign period: 1897–1878 BC “50 years”

Father: King Amenemhat II

Wife: Queen Khenemetneferhedjet I Weret, Queen Nofret II, Queen Itaweret, Queen Khenmet.

Children: Senusret III, Senusret-sonbe, Itakayt, Neferet, Sithathoryunet.

The Discovery: Head of a stone statue, Lahun Pyramid in Fayoum, agricultural arches, Crown, Limestone slab, Pectoral.

King Senusret III or Senwosret III, Sesostris III, Khakaure Senusret III

Ruled Reign period: 1878–1839 BC “years”

Father: King Senusret II

Mother: Queen Khnemetneferhedjet I

Wife: Queen Sithathoriunet, Queen Neferthenut, Queen Khnemetneferhedjet II, Queen Itakayt, Queen Meretseger.

Children: Amenemhat III, Khnemet, Menet, Mereret, Senetsenebtysy, Sithathor.

The Discovery: A stone statue, a castle in the Phoenician city of Byblos, a Pharaonic obelisk, Semna Castle and Qemna Castle behind the second cataract in southern Egypt, a temple in Abydos, Sohag, a temple in Madamud. Pyramid of Senusret III in Dahshur,

Date of death: 1839 BC

King Amenemhat III or Amenemhet III

Ruled Reign period: 1860–1814 BC “45 years”

Father: King Senusret III

Wife: Queen Aat, Queen Khenemetneferhedjet III, Queen Hetepti.

Children: Neferuptah, Amenemhat IV, Sobekneferu, Hathorhotep, Nubhotep, Sithathor.

The Discovery: Stone statues, Hawara Pyramid, The Black Pyramid in Dahshur, top of a stone pyramid, Alabaster statuette head.

King Amenemhat IV or Amenemhet IV

Ruled Reign period: 1816–1807 BC “10 years”

Father: King Amenemhat III

Mother: Queen Hetepi

Wife: Queen Sekhemre Khutawy Sobekhotep, Queen Sonbef.

The Discovery: Stone statues, temple in the Goldsmiths Palace in Fayoum, Scarab-seal , Small obsidian coffer bound in gold, Tomb.

Date of death: 1806  BC

Queen Sobekneferu or Neferusobek

Ruled Reign period in Middle Kingdom of Egypt: 1807–1802 BC “3 years”

Father: King Amenemhat III

Date of death: 1802  BC

 

Kings of the Thirteenth Dynasty of Egypt:

The time period was Kings Thirteenth Dynasty of Egypt from 1802 to about 1649 B.C.E.

King Sekhemre Khutawy Sobekhotep

Ruled Reign period: 1802–1800 BC “3 years”

Father: King Amenemhat IV

The Discovery: Pharaonic tomb in Abydos, sarcophagus made of quartzite.

Date of death: 1700 BC

King Sekhemkare Amenemhat Senebef

Ruled Reign period: 1800–1796 BC “4 years”

King Nerikare

Ruled Reign period: 1796 BC

King Sekhemkare Amenemhat V

Ruled Reign period: 1796–1793 BC “years”

King Ameny Qemau

Ruled Reign period in Middle Kingdom of Egypt: 1795–1792 BC “years”

Father: King Amenemhat IV

Wife: Queen Nofret

The Discovery: Pyramid of Ameny Qemau,  canopic jars,

King Hotepibre Qemau Siharnedjheritef or Sehetepibre or Sehetepibre II

Ruled Reign period: 1792–1790 BC ” 2-5 years”

Father: King Ameny Qemau

King Iufni or Jewefni

Ruled Reign period: 1790–1788 BC

King Amenemhat VI or Seankhibre Ameny Antef Amenemhat VI

Ruled Reign period: 1788–1785 BC ” 3 years”

Father: King Sekhemkare Amenemhat V

Children: Renseneb

King Semenkare Nebnuni or Nebnun or Nebnennu

Ruled Reign period: 1785–1783 BC

King Sehetepibre Sewesekhtawy or Sehetepibre I or Sehetepibre II

Ruled Reign period: 1783–1781 BC “2 years”

King Sewadjkare or Sewadjkare I

Ruled Reign period: 1781 BC

King Nedjemibre

Ruled Reign period: 1780 BC “1 year”

King Khaankhre Sobekhotep I or Sobekhotep II or Sobekhotep IV

Ruled Reign period: 1780–1777 BC “3 years”

The Discovery:  Pharaonic tomb & Chapel in Abydos, quartzite sarcophagus.

King Renseneb Amenemhat or Ranisonb

Ruled Reign period in Middle Kingdom of Egypt: 1777 BC “1 year”

King Hor Awibre or Hor I

Ruled Reign period: 1777–1775 BC “2 years”

Father: King

Mother: Queen

Wife: Queen Nubhetepti I

Children: Nubhetepti-khered, Sekhemrekhutawy Khabaw, Djedkheperew.

The Discovery: Jar lid, Pharaonic tomb in Wajd Dahshur cemetery, quartzite sarcophagus, stone and wooden statues, royal jewelry.

King Sekhemrekhutawy Khabaw

Ruled Reign period: 1775–1772 BC “2 years”

King Djedkheperew or Djedkheperu

Ruled Reign period: 1772–1770 BC “2 years”

Father: King Hor

Mother: Queen Nubhotepti I

King Sebkay or Sebekay or Sebekai
King Sedjefakare Kay Amenemhat VII

Ruled Reign period: 1769–1766 BC “4-7 years”

King Khutawyre Wegaf or Ugaf

Ruled Reign period: 1767 BC

The Discovery: White limestone plaque, stone statues.

King Userkare Khendjer

Ruled Reign period: 1767 BC “5 years”

The Discovery: Pyramid of Khendjer.

King Smenkhkare Imyremeshaw

Ruled Reign period: 1759 BC “10 years”

Wife: Queen Aya

The Discovery: Southern South Saqqara pyramid, Two huge Granite statue.

King Intef IV or Intef V or Sehetepkare Intef

Ruled Reign period in Middle Kingdom of Egypt: 1759 – 1749 BC “10 years”

King Seth Meribre

Ruled Reign period: 1749 BC “10 years”

King Sobekhotep III or Sekhemre-sewadjtawy

Ruled Reign period: 1755–1751 BC “4 years”

Father: King Mentuhotep

Mother: Queen Iuhetibu

Wife: Queen Senebhenas, Queen Neni.

Children: Iuhetibu Fendy, Dedetanqet.

The Discovery: Scarab, The middle hole stone, a shrine in the Temple of Mentu in Madmud, a temple in El-Kab City, a statue made of red granite stone, part of a granite statue,

King Neferhotep I or Khasekhemre Neferhotep I

Ruled Reign period: 1751–1740 BC “12 years”

Father: King Haankhef

Mother: Queen Kemi

Wife: Queen Senebsen

Children: Haankhef, Kemi, Wahneferhotep.

The Discovery: Scarab seals, A stone statue, a stone plaque in the godmother buried in Abydos, a niche in the Karnak Temple, Tomb Abydos.

King Menwadjre Sihathor

Ruled Reign period: 1739 BC “1 year”

Father: King Haankhef

Mother: Queen Kemi

The Discovery: unfinished tomb in the Abydos Tombs, Scarab seals,

King Khaneferre Sobekhotep IV

Ruled Reign period in Middle Kingdom of Egypt: 1740–1730 BC “11 years”

Father: King Haankhef

Mother: Queen Kemi

Wife: Queen Tjan

Children: Sobekhotep-Miw, Sobekhotep-Dja-Dja, Haankhef-Iykherneferet, Amenhotep, Nebetiunet.

The Discovery: Stone statues, granite and sandstone plaque,

King Sobekhotep V or Merhotepre Sobekhotep or Sobekhotep VI

Ruled Reign period: 1730 BC “5 years”

Father: King Sobekhotep IV

Mother: Queen Nubhotepti

The Discovery: Stone statue, sandstone plaque, granite offering table, shrine at Abydos

King Khahotepre Sobekhotep VI

Ruled Reign period: 1719-1715 BC “5 years”

Father: King Sobekhotep IV

Mother: Queen Tjan

Wife: Queen Nubhotepti, Queen Khaenoub.

King Wahibre Ibiau or Wahibre, Ibiau, Ibiaw, Iaib, Ia-ib

Ruled Reign period: 1725–1714 BC “11 years”

King Merneferre Ay or Eje, Aya, Ay I

Ruled Reign period: 1701–1677 BC “24 years”

The Discovery: Royal tomb in Aouaris, Globular jar, Green glazed steatite scarab.

King Merhotepre Ini or Ini I, Ini II

Ruled Reign period in Middle Kingdom of Egypt: 1677–1675 BC “3 years”

The Discovery: Jar lid, Pharaonic scarab, stone plaque, royal seal.

King Sankhenre Sewadjtu

Ruled Reign period: 1675–1672 BC “4 years”

King Mersekhemre Ined or Mersekhemre Neferhotep II

Ruled Reign period: 1672–1669 BC “3 years”

King Sewadjkare Hori

Ruled Reign period: 1648– 1643 BC “5 years”

King Merkawre Sobekhotep or Sobekhotep VII

Ruled Reign period: 1664–1663 BC “3 years”

Children: Bebi, Sobekhotep.

King Merkheperre

Ruled Reign period: 1663– 1649 BC

King Merkare

Ruled Reign period in Middle Kingdom of Egypt: 1663– 1649 BC

King Mentuhotep V or Sewadjare Mentuhotep

Ruled Reign period: 1662– 1649 BC

Wife: Queen Sitmut.

Children: Herunefer.

King Seheqenre Sankhptahi

Ruled Reign period: 1663– 1649 BC

King Sewahenre Senebmiu or Sonbmiu

Ruled Reign period: 1660 BC ” years”

King Mershepsesre Ini II or Ini II
King Menkhaure Snaaib

 

What is the history of the Middle Kingdom in Egypt?

  • This stage began after the stage of political division and collapse of Social Structure in Ancient Egypt, which was in the first transitional stage.
  • This period lasted from 2050 until 1710 BC.
  • During the reign of King Mentuhotep II, Egypt was united again and remained that way until the Twelfth Dynasty.
  • The German Egyptologist Dr. von Bunsen called this period one of the golden ages that passed through Egypt.
  • In that period, the God Osiris became the most important and famous deity in the ancient Egyptian religion as in Ancient Egyptian religion.

What is the overview of Middle Kingdom of Egypt?

  • This state began after the collapse of the Old Kingdom of Egypt. Due to the weakness of royal authority.
  • The period of weakness is called the first transition period.
  • The kings of the Tenth Dynasty and the Eleventh Dynasty fought over the rule of Egypt.
  • The Eleventh Dynasty ruled southern Egypt from the First Cataract until the Tenth Province in Upper Egypt.
  • The Tenth Dynasty of Egypt ruled Lower Egypt.
  • King Mentuhotep II was able to end that war and reunite Egypt, and he subsequently sat on the throne of Thebes in 2055 BC.
  • In the 14th year of the reign of King Mentuhotep II, a revolution took place in the northern provinces “Revolutions in Ancient Egypt“. King Mentuhotep II took advantage of that revolution and attacked Ihnasia.
  • King Mentuhotep II then began to strengthen his influence in Egypt and build the Military of ancient Egypt, and remained so until the 39th year of his reign.
  • The Eleventh, Twelfth, and Thirteenth Dynasties are the families of that time period.

What is the Middle Kingdom of Egypt known for?

  • Beginning in the Twelfth Dynasty, the Pharaohs maintained strong, well-trained armies due to interest in developing equestrian sports and combat as in Ancient Egyptian Sport.
  • This military force became one of the strongest armies that defended Egypt against many invasions.
  • King Amenemhat I of the Twelfth Dynasty of Egypt was forced to attack the Delta region, which was not one of the regions that received much attention.
  • King Amenemhat I, a member of the Twelfth Dynasty, built walls in the eastern Delta region to protect it from unrest.
  • King Amenemhat I also built a capital in the north for Egypt.
  • In the twentieth year, King Amenemhat I made his son, King Senusret I, co-ruler with him.
  • King Amenemhat I was killed in the 33rd year of his reign, and King Senusret I confronted the Libyans.

What kind of agriculture did Middle Kingdom of Egypt have?

  • The flooding of the Nile River was the main factor that Egyptians relied on throughout the history of ancient Egypt to fertilize and cultivate land.
  • There was conclusive evidence that the flood level had receded and that there was a link between it and the collapse of the Old Kingdom.
  • In the Middle Kingdom of Egypt, the flood levels were higher than before, which contributed to the prosperity of that period.
  • The height of the flood reached 19 meters, and the reign of King Amenemhat III of the Twelfth Dynasty of Egypt was the most prosperous for the flood.

What are the characteristics of the Middle Kingdom Egypt?

  • The focus of the Eleventh and Twelfth Dynasties was on art and Music in Ancient Egypt, and this appears in the monuments of the kings, which were greatly influenced by the arts of Ancient Egyptian Literature and sculpture.
  • There were also workshops for royal works, and the glory of the arts reached this era.
  • Kings were buried in pyramidal complexes, and the Fifth and Sixth Dynasties had the largest number of individuals buried in such complexes.
  • Stone sarcophagi, characterized by flat lids, first appeared in the Middle Kingdom of Egypt.
    In addition to the development of funerary paintings and the selection of icons and images as never before.

Note: Facts and secrets of the history of the Pharaoh kings in Middle Kingdom of Egypt will be added soon…

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Middle Kingdom of Egypt | Facts, History Egyptian Pharaohs kings
Middle Kingdom of ancient Egypt | Facts and secrets of the Egyptian Pharaohs kings

 

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Eng. Tamer Ahmed | Researcher in Ancient Egypt History and Egyptology. Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, 2004 Tourism and E-marketing Expert I love Egypt and I strive to develop tourism. Booking Your Tours Online Whatsapp: +201112596434