ships in this armada, and Amenemhet I was displaying
the political support of a nome aristocrat alongside mili-
tary might. He also moved the capital from Thebes to ITJ-
TAW Y, “the Seizer of the Two Lands,” near the modern
town of Lisht. The capital was originally called Amen-
emhet-Ity-tawy and was shortened over the years. He
married NEFRU-TOTENEN, who is believed to have borne
SENWOSRET I, the heir. Asecond queen, SIT-HATHOR, gave
birth to Princess DEDYET(1) and Princess Nenseb-djebet.
Later in his reign a woman named NEFRU-SOBEK (2)
became his queen. He had two daughters: Nefrusheri and
Nyetneb.
Amenemhet I proved an efficient administrator and
militarily astute ruler. He established his new capital
between the boundaries of Upper and Lower Egypt in
order to have increased control of the DELTA. He also
erected the WALL OF THE PRINCE, a series of forts that safe-
guarded Egypt’s eastern and western borders. He founded
SEMNAfort in Nubia and routed the Bedouins on the SINAI
Peninsula, using the genius of General Nysumontu.
Within the palace, however, Amenemhet I faced harem
revolts, one unsuccessful attempt on his life, and a last
murderous assault.
In 1979 B.C.E., Amenemhet I named his son, Senwos-
ret I, as his coregent, thus discouraging attempts by oth-
ers to take the throne. Senwosret also received a set of
“Instructions” from Amenemhet I. This document was
also called the Testament of Amenemhet.In it the pharaoh
declares that a ruler must avoid all intimacy with lesser
courtiers, and these “Instructions” clearly define royal
obligations based upon the needs of the people, including
personal sacrifices and loneliness. Possibly the INSTRUC-
TION OF AMENEMHET Iwas written after the second assault
on the pharaoh’s life, a palace feud that was successful in
bringing Amenemhet I’s reign to an end.
Senwosret I, who campaigned militarily in his father’s
name, was in the desert region when word came of the
assassination. He raced back to the capital with a large
force and routed the enemies of his inheritance. Amen-
emhet was buried in a pyramid in LISHT, called “Horus of
Repeating Births,” now in ruins. The assassination of
Amenemhet is a key element in the plot of the tale of
“SINUHE THE SAILOR.” The hero of the tale is involved in
some way in the harem struggles, and he flees Egypt
when Senwosret I receives word of the royal death.
See also NEFER-ROHU’S PROPHECY.Amenemhet II (Nubkauré)(d. 1892 B.C.E.)Third
ruler of the Twelfth Dynasty
He reigned from 1929 B.C.E. until his death. Amenemhet
II was the son of SENWOSRET Iand Queen NEFRUSHERI.
Serving three years as coregent with his father, AMEN-
EMHET IIconducted two military campaigns, a foray into
NUBIA, modern Sudan, and one to rout the BEDOUINSon
the SINAIPeninsula. He also made trade pacts with Syria
and Levantine cities. His reign was highlighted by inter-
nal difficulties as the various NOMARCHS(provincial aris-
tocrats) attempted to overthrow a centralized system of
government in order to exercise independence. Beginning
under Senwosret, Amenemhet II reclaimed the FAIYUM
territory of Egypt, the lush marshland fed by the BAHR
YUSUF(a small river that leads into the region from the
Nile between modern el-Ashmunein and old Meir). The
Faiyum, called Ta-she by the Egyptians, “the Land of the
Lakes,” or Payuum, became an agricultural base for the
country. At various times the Faiyum extended over
4,000 square miles and included Lake MOERIS. The cult of
SOBEK, the crocodile god, was established in Shedet, the
capital of the region. Amenemhet II’s CARTOUCHEwas dis-
covered in Lebanon, and other seals were found in the
temple of MONTUat Thebes. He sent expeditions to the
Red Sea and to PUNTand used the local gold mines.
Amenemhet II married Queen MERYET (2), the
mother of the heir, SENWOSRET IIand Queens TEOand
KEMANWEB. His daughters were Ata, Atuart, Khnumt, Sit
Hathor, Sit Hathor Hormeret, and Sit Hathor Meryt. Sen-
wosret II served as his coregent for five years before
Amenemhet II died.26 Amenemhet IIThe warrior pharaoh Amenemhet III
Twelfth Dynasty.(Hulton Archive.)