Egyptian history midterm 2

story of sinuhe

Middle Kingdom literary tale

written during 12th dynasty (1875-1840 bce)

set during the rule of amenemhet I and senusret I

follows an official (sinuhe) who flees from egypt to syria (after amenenmhet’s death)

he loves a good life in syria (with a family) but returns home

the new king senusret understands why he ran and respects him still

explores themes about kingship, loyality, and Egypts relationships with foreign lands

important because it is one of the earliest Middle Kingdom texts

Amenemhet I

founder of the 12th dynasty

lived in the capital Itj-tawy

strengthened centralized government after the first intermediate periods government instability

ordered irrigation and building projects to better Egypt

important: he strengthened Middle Kingdom government and started reforms

he was eventually assassinated and his son Senusret I took over the throne

Hatshepsut

ruled as a female pharaoh during the 18th dynasty (1473-1458 bce)

she originally co-ruled with thutmose III but later fully became the pharaoh

she wore traditntal male pharaoh attire like the nemes headdress and fake beard

she commissioned many architecture projects one famous one is her temple in the temple complex called deir el bahri

deir el bahri

multi level temple complex located on the West Bank of Thebes 

the 18th dynasty pharaoh Hatshepsut built her funerary temple in this complex

also includes temples for mentuhotep II and thutmose III

mentuhotep II originally built his tempe here to signify the reunification of egypt and transition into the Middle Kingdom era

building structure reflects Middle Kingdom architecture