Ancient Egyptians - Middle Kingdom
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Egyptian History & Civilisation

Definition of the Middle Kingdom
Definition Middle Kingdom: The Middle Kingdom is the name of a period in ancient Egyptian History. The dates of the Middle Kingdom were 2134 - 1782 BCE and extended from the 11th to the 12th dynasty, a total of 331 years. For additional information refer to:

11th Dynasty

12th Dynasty

Historical Overview of the Middle Kingdom
The Middle Kingdom extended from the late 11th to the 12th dynasty during which a series of kings oversaw a renaissance in Egyptian art and in Egyptian literature. The previous dynasties were marked by the rise in influence of Nomarchs who ruled the 42 Nomes (administrative and religious districts) of ancient Egypt and priests and nobles gained more independence and power. The early part of the 11th Dynasty saw the decline of the rulers and nomarchs in Herakleopolis and the rise of the Theban kings and the reunification of the kingdom. The capital of the Middle Empire was Thebes, in Upper Egypt.  The kings of the 12th dynasty of the Middle Kingdom increased their power and wealth and eventually regained control over the Nomarchs. An extensive Irrigation systemwas initiated in the Faiyum region which significantly increased the farming capabilities of the region. Queen Sobeknefru became the first known female ruler of Egypt but died in her short reign leaving no heir. This ended the period of the Middle Kingdom which was followed by the 2nd Intermediate period that led to the conquest and rule of the Hyksos. The Asian Hyksos, meaning "foreign rulers", introduced the horse and the chariot to ancient Egypt.

Facts about the Middle Kingdom
The following facts provide a fast overview of the history of Egyptian civilization during the historical period known as the Middle Kingdom that followed the 1st Intermediate Period 2181 - 2134 BCE.

The Middle Kingdom Fact Sheet 2134 - 1782 BCE

Fact 1 Middle Kingdom: Power struggles dominated the history of Egyptian civilization in the period known as the Middle Kingdom.

Fact 2 Middle Kingdom: The early 11th dynasty Pharaohs had lost much of their power to priests and government officials, especially the Nomarchs.

Fact 3 Middle Kingdom: A type of  Feudal organization was established in ancient Egypt, overseen by Nomarchs who were initially members of the royal family.

Fact 4 Middle Kingdom: The Nomarchs were the rulers of Ancient Egyptian provinces. The role of a Nomarch was to serving as a provincial governor. Civil wars arose as the powerful Nomarchs no longer belonged to the royal family.

Fact 5 Middle Kingdom: The Nomarchs held authority over one of the 42 nomes of ancient Egypt.

Fact 6 Middle Kingdom: A Nome was an administrative and religious district into which ancient Egypt was divided

Fact 7 Middle Kingdom: There were 22 nomes in Upper Egypt and 20 nomes in Lower Egypt.

Fact 8 Middle Kingdom: The strong, powerful kings of the late 11th and the 12th dynasty eventually decreased the power of the Nomarchs.

Fact 9 Middle Kingdom: Military campaigns were mounted against Nubia.

Fact 10 Middle Kingdom: Fortresses were built along the banks of the River Nile and standing armies established.

Fact 11 Middle Kingdom: Religion continued to dominate Egyptian life. Every ancient Egyptian was preoccupied with death and surviving the terrible dangers of the Underworld and judgement day in the Hall of Judgement.

Fact 12 Middle Kingdom: Religion of ancient Egypt focused on funerary and mortuary religious beliefs.

Fact 13 Middle Kingdom: The funerary cult of Osiris the god of death, the Underworld and Rebirth rose to dominate Egyptian popular religion.

Fact 14 Middle Kingdom: The Coffin Texts were created for ordinary Egyptians. The coffin texts provided magic spells and a guide to surviving the perils of the Underworld painted on wooden coffins

Fact 15 Middle Kingdom: The period of the Middle Kingdom in the history of Egyptian civilization saw the change in the culture of ordinary Egyptians and the rise of the common man.

Fact 16 Middle Kingdom: The Middle Empire ended with the 12th dynasty followed by the 2nd Intermediate period that led to the conquest and rule of the Hyksos foreign rulers who introduced the horse and the chariot to ancient Egypt.

The Middle Kingdom is followed by the 2nd Intermediate Period 1782 -1550 BCE

The Middle Kingdom Fact Sheet 2134 - 1782 BCE

Facts about the Middle Kingdom
Discover fast, interesting fun facts about the Middle Kingdom for kids with some amazing, cool and quick information about ancient Egypt and Egyptians. Ideal for children, homework, schools, teachers and kids of all ages! Find fascinating fun facts about the Middle Kingdom for kids and the history, culture and civilisation of the ancient Egyptians and ancient Egypt. Interesting, fun facts about the Middle Kingdom for research, schools, students and kids of all ages.

Ancient Egyptian Dynasties - Major Time Periods in Ancient Egypt History
The main ancient Egyptian history time periods are:

The Early Dynastic Period

The Old Kingdom

The Middle Kingdom

The New Kingdom

The Late  Period

Ancient Egyptian History and the Middle Kingdom
The Egyptologists and historians divide the years of ancient Egyptian history and civilisation into the following historical time periods, which include the period known as the Middle Kingdom.

Ancient Egyptian History

Egytian Time Periods

Prehistoric Egytpt 5000 - 3100BCE

Early Dynastic Period: 3100 - 2686 BCE

The Old Kingdom 2686 - 2181 BCE

1st Intermediate Period 2181 - 2134 BCE

The Middle Kingdom 2134 - 1782 BCE

2nd Interm ediate Period 1782 - 1550 BCE

The New Kingdom 1550 - 1069 BCE

3rd Interm ediate Period 1069 - 664 BCE

The Late Period 664 - 332 BCE

Ptolemaic Egypt 332 - 30 BCE

Roman & Byzantine Egypt 30 BCE - 641 CE

The Dynasties of the Middle Kingdom
Historians divide Ancient Egyptian history into 31 dynasties. A Dynasty consisted of a succession of kings from the same family who succeeded each other on the throne by right of inheritance. The kings of the Middle Kingdom consisted of the 11th and 12th dynasties that covered a time span of 331 years.

Ancient Egyptian Dynasties

Ancient Egytian Dynasties

Early Dynastic Period: 1st - 2nd Dynasties

The Old Kingdome 3rd - 6th Dynasties

1st Intermediate Period 7th - 10th Dynasties

The Middle Kingdom 11th - 12th Dynasties

2nd Intermediate Period 13th - 20th Dynasties

The New Kingdom 18th - 20th Dynasties

Post Empire 21st - 31st Dynasties

Middle Kingdom Pharaohs and Kings of the Eleventh Dynasty
The Middle Kingdom pharaohs of the 11th Dynasty ruled for 143 years (2134–1991 BC). The first pharaohs of this dynasty were Intef I and Intef II when Egypt was split between the power of the Nomarchs and the pharaohs that resulted in military conflicts. Mentuhotep II managed to gain more control in his reign and succeeded in the conquest of the Thinite region ruled by the Herakleopolitan princes which led to the reunification of the country. To further assert his authority Mentuhotep II created the positions of Governor of Upper Egypt and Governor of Lower Egypt who had power over the local Nomarchs. His son Mentuhotep III increased the royal coffers by instigating a military campaign in the land of Punt that resulted in valuable 'spoils of war' including precious gemstones and other rare items. Mentuhotep IV was mysteriously succeeded by his vizier Amenemhat, who founded the 12th dynasty.

*The names of the kings of the 11th Dynasty of the Middle Kingdom were Intef I (2134 - 2117 BC), Intef II 2117 - 2069 BC), Intef III (2069 - 2060 BC), Mentuhotep I (2060 - 2010 (BC), Mentuhotep II (2010 - 1998 BC),  Mentuhotep III (2010 BC – 1998 BC) and Mentuhotep IV (1998–1991 BC).

Middle Kingdom Pharaohs and Kings of the Twelfth Dynasty
The Middle Kingdom pharaohs of the 12th Dynasty ruled for 188 years (1991–1803 BC). The non-royal Amenemhet I, who had usurped the throne of Mentuhotep IV, was eventually murdered. His son Senusret I claimed the throne and became one of the most powerful kings of the 12th Dynasty supporting the Nomarchs that were loyal to him and instigating successful trading missions. During his reign he mounted aggressive military campaigns against the gold rich Nubia. Senusret II initiated work on an extensive irrigation system in the swamplands of the Faiyum region which significantly increased the farming capabilities of the region. Senusret III was the most powerful king of the 12th dynasty and decreased the power of the Nomarchs. The building of the Sesostris Canal was initiated during  his reign to link the River Nile to the Red Sea. He continued campaigns against Nubia and built a series of fortresses on the border and extended Egypt's lands in Nubia. Sobeknefru was the daughter of Pharaoh Amenemhat III and the first known female ruler of Egypt. Sobeknefru died young, leaving no heir and the 13th dynasty of the 2nd Intermediate period began leading to the conquest and rule of the Hyksos foreign rulers.

*The names of the kings of the 12th Dynasty of the Middle Kingdom were Amenemhet I (1991 - 1962 BC), Senusret I (1971 - 1926 BC), Amenemhet II (1929 - 1895 BC), Senusret II (1897 - 1878 BC), Senusret III (1878 - 1841 BC), Amenemhet III (1842 - 1797 BC), Amenemhet IV (1798 - 1786 BC) and Queen Sobeknefru (1785 - 1782 BC).

Middle Kingdom
Learning about the ancient Egyptians and the Middle Kingdom inspires everyone to visit historical sites and undertake Egypt Travel and Tours to experience the wonders of this magical land at first hand. Many people choose to experience a tour of Egypt on a Nile Cruise stopping at the famous destinations and sites of Egypt such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx. The information and facts about the Middle Kingdom will provide you with a great insight into Egypt and the legacy of the ancient Egyptians.

Middle Kingdom