Senusret I facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Senusret I
Sesostris, Sesonchosis
Statue of Senusret I in the Cairo Museum, Egypt
Pharaoh
Reign	1971–1926 BC; (1920–1875 BC) (Twelfth Dynasty)
Predecessor	Amenemhat I
Successor	Amenemhat II
Royal titulary
Consort	Neferu III
Children	Amenemhat II, Amenemhat-ankh, Itakayt, Sebat, Neferusobek, Neferuptah
Father	Amenemhat I
Mother	Neferitatjenen
Died	1926 BC (1875 BC)
Burial	Pyramid at el-Lisht
Monuments	White Chapel, Pyramid of Senusret I

Senusret I was an important pharaoh (king) of ancient Egypt. He was the second ruler of the Twelfth Dynasty. Senusret I ruled for a long time, from 1971 BC to 1926 BC. He was one of the most powerful kings of his time.

His father was Amenemhat I, who was also a pharaoh. Senusret I was known by his special name, Kheperkare. This name means "the Ka of Re is created." He made Egypt bigger and stronger. This led to a time of great wealth and success for the country.

Senusret I continued his father's plans to expand Egypt. He led two trips into a region called Nubia. This happened in his 10th and 18th years as king. He set up Egypt's official southern border near the second cataract. Here, he placed soldiers and a special stone marker called a stele. He also sent a group to explore an oasis in the Western Desert.

Senusret I made friends with leaders in Syria and Canaan. He also worked to make the country's government stronger. He supported local governors, called nomarchs, who were loyal to him. His own pyramid was built at a place called el-Lisht. Senusret I is even mentioned in an old story called the Story of Sinuhe. The story says he quickly returned to the palace in Memphis. This was after he heard his father, Amenemhat I, had been killed.

Who Was in Senusret I's Family?

The family of Senusret I is well known. He was the son of Pharaoh Amenemhat I. His mother was Queen Neferitatenen. His main wife was Neferu III. She was also his sister. Neferu III was the mother of his son, Amenemhat II. Amenemhat II later became the next pharaoh.

Senusret I also had daughters named Itakayt and Sebat. Sebat was likely the daughter of Neferu III. This is because they appear together in an ancient writing.

What Important Events Happened During His Reign?

In his 18th year as king, Senusret I led a military trip. This trip was to Lower Nubia. He took control of the area down to the Second Cataract of the Nile River. A stone marker from Buhen tells us the date of this trip. Many writings from his time mention this military action.

Several local officials helped with this trip. Amenemhat, a governor, went with the title overseer of troops. In his 25th year, Egypt faced a difficult time. A low flood of the Nile River caused a famine. This meant there was not enough food for people.

How Did Senusret I Build Up Egypt?

Senusret I sent many groups to get stone. They went to places like the Sinai and Wadi Hammamat. He built many temples and shrines across Egypt and Nubia. This happened during his long time as king.

He rebuilt a very important temple. This was the temple of Re-Atum in Heliopolis. Heliopolis was a major center for worshipping the sun god. To celebrate his 30th year as king, he put up two tall red granite obelisks there. One of these obelisks is still standing today. It is the oldest standing obelisk in Egypt. It is 67 feet tall and weighs 120 tons.

Senusret I also built other major temples. These include the temple of Min at Koptos. He also built the Temple of Satet on Elephantine. There was also the Montu-temple at Armant. Another Montu-temple was built at El-Tod. A long writing about the king is still there.

A special building called the White Chapel was built at Karnak. It has beautiful carvings of Senusret I. This chapel was built to celebrate his 30th year as king. It was later put back together from stone blocks found in 1926. Senusret also improved the Temple of Khenti-Amentiu Osiris at Abydos.

The White Chapel of Senusret I at Karnak.

Who Were the Key People in Senusret I's Court?

We know about some important people who worked for Senusret I. The main advisor, called a vizier, at the start of his rule was Intefiqer. We know about him from many writings and his tomb. His tomb was next to the pyramid of Amenemhat I. Intefiqer seemed to be vizier for a long time. After him, a vizier named Senusret took the job.

Two treasurers are known from his time. They were Sobekhotep and Mentuhotep. Mentuhotep had a very large tomb near the king's pyramid. He was likely the main builder of the Amun temple at Karnak.

Several high stewards also worked for the king. Hor is known from several stone markers. He led a trip to get amethyst from Wadi el-Hudi. One of his markers is from the king's ninth year. A man named Nakhr then became high steward around the king's 12th year. He had a tomb at Lisht. Another high steward was Antef, son of Zatamun. He is known from markers from the king's 24th and 25th years. Another Antef, son of Zatuser, was also likely a high steward.

How Did Senusret I Choose His Successor?

Senusret I became co-ruler with his father, Amenemhat I. This happened in his father's 20th year as king. Towards the end of his own life, Senusret I chose his son, Amenemhat II, to rule with him. This is called a coregency.

A stone marker called the stele of Wepwawetō shows this. It is dated to Senusret's 44th year and Amenemhat's 2nd year. This means Senusret I likely made his son co-ruler in his 43rd year. Senusret I is thought to have died in his 46th year on the throne. This is because an ancient list of kings, the Turin Canon, says he ruled for 45 years.

Images for kids

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  Upper part of a statue of Senusret I, from Egypt, Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty. C. 1950 BC. Neues Museum, Germany

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  Obelisk of Senusret I in Heliopolis

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  Osiride statue of Senusret I

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  Stone weight with Senusret I's cartouche

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  Base of a granite statue inscribed with the name of Senusret I. From Armant, Egypt. Petrie Museum, London

See also

• Loyalist Teaching