Amenemhet II was buried in DASHUR, near MEMPHIS,
in a white pyramid originally some 263 feet square, called
“The Soul of Amenemhet.” The tombs of the princesses
of the reign contained a vast collection of jewelry, now
prized by the modern world. A queen, KEMINIBU, from the
Thirteenth Dynasty (1784–1640 B.C.E.) was found buried
there also.
Amenemhet III (Nima’atré)(d. 1797 B.C.E.)Sixth
ruler of the Twelfth Dynasty
He reigned from 1844 B.C.E. until his death. Amenemhet
was the son of SENWOSRET IIIand Queen NEFERHENT(2)
and is considered one of the outstanding pharaohs of the
Middle Kingdom (2040–1640 B.C.E.). Egypt enjoyed a
period of economic growth during his reign. In an era of
peace, Amenemhet III developed the FAIYUMregion in
Middle Egypt and used the mines and quarries of the
SINAIand southern Egyptian regions to good advantage.
Amenemhet III also held the government of Egypt in
tight rein. In the Sinai, 49 texts concerning the era were
discovered at SERABIT EL-KHADIM, with others found at
WADI MAGHARAand WADI NASB. Originally the Egyptians
set up seasonal camps at such mining sites, but in Amen-
emhet III’s reign permanent settlements were established,
complete with residences, defensive fortifications, wells,
and cemeteries. The temple of HATHORat Serabit el-
Khadim, designed to honor that goddess, was enlarged,
and military units were assigned to the mines for protec-
tion of workers gathering gems.
Inthe south, Amenemhet III fortified the great trad-
ing post at SEMNA, at the southern end of the second
cataract. Most of Amenemhet III’s efforts were aimed at
the Faiyum region, however, as he reclaimed the dense
marshlands and furthered the irrigation projects and
dikes started by other pharaohs of his line. He was hon-
ored in the Greco-Roman eras for his reclamation of the
Faiyum and worshiped under the name Lamares. Two
colossal statues of Amenemhet III made of granite on
limestone bases were discovered at BIAHMU, a site north-
east of HAWARA. He decorated the temple of the god SOBEK
at Kiman Fares and built a chapel for RENENUTET, the
Egyptian goddess of the harvest.
Amenemhet III’s queen was A’AT, the mother of AMEN-
EMHET IV, who was buried at DASHURin a southwest corri-
dor. The pyramid there, called “Amenemhet Is Beautiful,”
was faulty, and the pharaoh abandoned it and built a sec-
ond one at Hawara, in the southeastern Faiyum, called
“Amenemhet Lives.” This second pyramid is called a
LABYRINTHbecause of its intricate chambers, trapdoors,
dead-end passages, and sliding panels. The burial cham-
ber is a vast block of quartzite, hollowed out and sunk
into the foundation of the pyramid. Amenemhet III’sSAR-
COPHAGUS, also of quartzite, and a smaller one for
princess Neferu-ptah, his daughter, were found in the
chamber. This burial site was sealed by a single slab of
stone that weighed an estimated 45 tons.Amenemhet IV (Ma’akheruré)(d. 1787 B.C.E.) Sev-
enth ruler of the Twelfth Dynasty
Hereigned from 1799 B.C.E. until his death. The son of
AMENEMHET IIIand probably Queen A’at, he served as
coregent with his father for two years and carried on the
family’s projects in the FAIYUM, the lush region in middle
Egypt. He is believed to have erected the temple of QASR
EL-SAGHAH, just north of Lake QARUN. He also completed
Amenemhet III’s temple at Medinet MA’ADI, and he sent an
expedition to the SINAI and maintained TRADE pacts.
SOBEKNEFERU, the sister of Amenemhet IV, whom he had
married, assumed the throne when he died after a brief
reign. Sobekneferu thus became a woman pharaoh, the
only woman holding that title in the Middle Kingdom
(2040–1640 B.C.E.). The two pyramids at MAZGHUNA,in
the southern part of DASHUR, are ascribed to this royal
pair, the last rulers of the Twelfth Dynasty, bringing to an
end this royal line and an entire historical period.Amenemhet V (Ameny Intef IV; Sekhemkare or
Sankhibré; Hornedjheritef)(fl. c. 1760 B.C.E.) Fourth
ruler of the Thirteenth Dynasty
His throne name meant “the Heart of Ré lives.” He was
also called Ameny Intef IV and by the throne name
Hornedjheritef, “Horus, Avenger of His Father,” in some
monuments. The HYKSOS, or Asiatics, were in the DELTA
during his reign, establishing their hold on the northern
and eastern territories, but there are no records of conflict
between the two royal houses. He is credited with receiv-
ing tribute from BYBLOS(in modern Lebanon). The Thir-
teenth Dynasty in the Second Intermediate Period is a
shadowy royal line, reportedly composed of 50 pharaohs,
most unidentified.Amenemhet VI(fl. 18th century B.C.E.)Obscure ruler
of the Thirteenth Dynasty
His actual date of reign is unknown. Amenemhet VI was
called “the Asiatic” and his mortuary pyramid is report-
edly in DASHUR.Amenemhet VII (Sedjefakaré)(fl. 18th century B.C.E.)
Fifteenth ruler of the Thirteenth Dynasty
He ruled possibly c. 1740 B.C.E. Amenemhet VII’s name
was discovered on monuments in TANIS, the ELEPHANTINE
Island (at modern Aswan), and in MEDAMUD. Nothing
else is known about his reign.Amenemhet (1)(fl. 14th century B.C.E.) Prince of the
Eighteenth Dynasty
Amenemhet’s mummy was found standing upright,
propped against the wall of TUTHMOSIS IV’s (1401–1391Amenemhet 2 7