Twelfth Dynasty of Egypt Facts for Kids

The Twelfth Dynasty of ancient Egypt was a very important time. Many experts think it was the best part of the Middle Kingdom. This dynasty is often grouped with the 11th, 13th, and 14th dynasties. Together, they form what historians call the Middle Kingdom period. Some scholars believe only the 11th and 12th dynasties truly belong to the Middle Kingdom.

A Look at Twelfth Dynasty History
Important Rulers of the Twelfth Dynasty
Amazing Ancient Egyptian Literature
Images for kids
See also

A Look at Twelfth Dynasty History

The timeline for the Twelfth Dynasty is very clear. It is one of the most stable periods before the New Kingdom of Egypt. The Turin Royal Canon, an ancient record, says this dynasty lasted 213 years. This means it ruled from 1991 BC to 1778 BC.

The historian Manetho said the dynasty started in Thebes. But records from that time show the first king, Amenemhat I, moved the capital. He built a new city called "Amenemhat-itj-tawy." This name means "Amenemhat the Seizer of the Two Lands." People simply called it Itjtawy. We have not found Itjtawy yet, but experts think it was near the Fayyum area. It was probably close to the royal burial grounds at el-Lisht.

We know the order of the Twelfth Dynasty rulers very well. This is thanks to several old lists. Two lists were found in temples at Abydos. Another list was found at Saqqara. There are also lists from Manetho's writings. A specific date from the reign of Senusret III matches up with the Sothic cycle. This helps us put many events from this dynasty into exact years.

Some old texts mention that King Amenemhat I's mother was from a region called Ta-Seti. This area was in the Elephantine Egyptian nome. Many experts today believe Amenemhat I's mother might have been from Nubia.

Important Rulers of the Twelfth Dynasty

Dynasty XII Kings of Egypt
Name	Horus (throne) name	Date	Pyramid	Queen(s)
Amenemhat I	Sehetepibre	1991 – 1962 BC	Pyramid of Amenemhet I	Neferitatjenen
Senusret I (Sesostris I)	Kheperkare	1971 – 1926 BC	Pyramid of Senusret I	Neferu III
Amenemhat II	Nubkhaure	1929 – 1895 BC	White Pyramid	Kaneferu Keminub?
Senusret II (Sesostris II)	Khakheperre	1897 – 1878 BC	Pyramid at El-Lahun	Khenemetneferhedjet I Nofret II Itaweret? Khnemet
Senusret III (Sesostris III)	Khakaure	1878 – 1839 BC	Pyramid at Dahshur	Meretseger Neferthenut Khnemetneferhedjet II Sithathoriunet
Amenemhat III	Nimaatre	1860 – 1814 BC	Black Pyramid; Pyramid at Hawara	Aat Hetepi Khenemetneferhedjet III
Amenemhat IV	Maakherure	1815 – 1806 BC	Southern Mazghuna pyramid (conjectural)
Sobekneferu	Sobekkare	1806 – 1802 BC	Northern Mazghuna pyramid (conjectural)

Here are some details about the kings and queen of the Twelfth Dynasty:

Amenemhat I: The Founder

Amenemhat I started this dynasty. He might have been a top advisor, called a vizier, to the last king of the 11th Dynasty. His armies traveled south, reaching the Second Cataract of the Nile. They also went into southern Canaan. He also restarted friendly relations with the Canaanite state of Byblos. He also worked with Greek rulers in the Aegean Sea. Amenemhat I was the father of Senusret I.

Senusret I: Continuing the Legacy

Senusret I continued his father's successes. He led an expedition even further south, reaching the Third Cataract.

Amenemhat II: A Time of Peace

A guardian statue likely showing Amenemhat II or Senwosret II. It was a divine protector for the imiut. Made of cedar wood and plaster around 1919–1885 BC.

Amenemhat II ruled during a very peaceful time for Egypt.

Senusret II: Peaceful Reign

Senusret II also enjoyed a peaceful reign as king.

Senusret III: A Strong Warrior

Head of Senusret III with youthful features, 12th Dynasty, around 1870 BC.

Senusret III found that Nubia was causing trouble. So, he sent armies to punish them. He also sent an expedition into the Levant region. His military actions led to stories of a powerful warrior named Sesostris. These stories were told by ancient writers like Manetho and Herodotus. Manetho even claimed that Sesostris conquered parts of Canaan and Europe. However, there are no records from that time that prove these extra claims.

Amenemhat III: Great Builder

Amenemhat III followed Senusret's foreign policy. He continued to keep Egypt strong. After Amenemhat III, the dynasty's strength began to fade. The growing problems of the government were left for the last ruler, Sobekneferu, to handle. Amenemhat III is remembered for a huge temple he built at Hawara. Ancient writers called it the "Labyrinth." Also, during his rule, the swampy Fayyum area was first used for farming and other projects.

Amenemhat IV: Short Rule

Amenemhat IV became king after his father, Amenemhat III. He ruled for about nine years.

Sobekneferu: The Last Ruler

Sobekneferu was the last ruler of the 12th Dynasty.

Sobekneferu was a daughter of Amenemhat III. She became queen after Amenemhat IV died. He was thought to be her brother or half-brother. She had to deal with the government problems that started during her father's rule. Her older sister, Neferuptah, would have been next in line. But Neferuptah died young. Sobekneferu was the last ruler of the Twelfth Dynasty. There is no record of her having a child to take the throne. Her reign was also quite short. The next dynasty began with new rulers who were likely not related to Amenemhat IV.

Amazing Ancient Egyptian Literature

It was during the Twelfth Dynasty that Ancient Egyptian literature became very good. Perhaps the most famous story from this time is The Story of Sinuhe. We have found hundreds of papyrus copies of this story. Many teaching stories, called didactic works, were also written. These include the Instructions of Amenemhat and The Tale of the Eloquent Peasant.

The kings of the 12th through 18th dynasties helped save some amazing Egyptian papyri. These ancient documents have survived to today:

1900 BC – Prisse Papyrus
1800 BC – Berlin Papyrus
1800 BC – Moscow Mathematical Papyrus
1650 BC – Rhind Mathematical Papyrus
1600 BC – Edwin Smith papyrus
1550 BC – Ebers papyrus

Images for kids

Stele of Abkau dates to the 12th Dynasty.

Twelfth Dynasty of Egypt facts for kids

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