Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt

364 Senwosret III

Khemetnefer-Sheri, SOBEK-SHEDTY-NEFERU, SIT-WERET, and
possibly SIT-HATHOR YUNET.
Senwosret III is one of the most famous pharaohs of
the Middle Kingdom, a warrior and an astute administra-
tor. He started his Nubian campaigns in his sixth regnal
year and reopened the first cataract at SEHEL ISLANDin
order to facilitate the movement of Egyptian units to the
Nubian (modern Sudanese) sites. The records at Sehel
state that he erected a chapel to the goddess Anuket
there. The fortresses in the territory were strengthened,
and new defensive structures were added, including
SEMNA, URONARTI, MIRGISSA, and Askut. The Sehel canal
was called “Beautiful Are the Ways of Kha’kauré.”
Senwosret III went as far south as Semna, campaign-
ing in his 19th year of reign. A NILOMETERat DAL ISLAND,
some 60 miles south of Semna, dates to his 10th regnal
year. He became the patron deity of Nubia after his death,
having erected a fortress at Uronarti in his 10th regnal
year.
Senwosret III’s campaigns in Palestine were also vig-
orous, and he could claim to be “Egypt’s shield” and “the

throat-slitter of the Asiatics.” He was much loved for his

monuments and temple donations as well, erecting stat-

ues in BIGAand ELEPHANTINEIsland, as well as HIERAKON-

POLIS. At ERMENThe added to the temple of MONTUand

refurbished that deity’s shrine at MEDAMUD. He also added

to the temple of OSIRISin ABYDOS. Senwosret III erected

six statues and a stela at DEIR EL-BAHRI. Records also indi-

cate that he brought great treasures of semiprecious

stones to Egypt from the SINAI, and he founded the Royal

Cemetery in Abydos.

As an administrator, Senwosret III regulated the

nome hereditary aristocrats and instituted a new court

system. He divided the government into three vizierates,

Upper and Lower Egypt and Nubia. He also removed the

nome governors who had amassed hereditary powers.

His son and heir was AMENEMHET III, born to Queen

NEFERHENT. His daughters were Menut, SENTSENEB,

Meryt, and Sihathor. Amenemhet III served as coregent

before Senwosret III died. DASHURwas the site of Sen-

wosret III’s burial complex, and another Abydos complex

has also been discovered. The Dashur burial site con-

tained a pyramid that was made out of mud brick, lined

with limestone. The burial chamber within the pyramid

was lined with red granite, with a sarcophagus of the

same vivid stone. Seven mastabas surround the ruined

monument. A cache of jewelry was recovered from this

complex, and three cedar boats also were found. The

queens and family members were buried in subterranean

levels. The Abydos tomb had cult rituals celebrated there

for two centuries.

Suggested Readings:Arnold, Dieter, and Adela Oppen-

heim. The Pyramid Complex of Senwosret III and Dashur:

Architectural Studies.New Haven, Conn.: Yale University

Press, 2001.

Senwosret-ankh(fl. 20th century B.C.E.)Royal building

official for rulers of the Twelfth Dynasty

He served AMENEMHET I(r. 1991–1962 B.C.E.) and SEN-

WOSRET I(r. 1971–1926 B.C.E.) as the high priest of PTAH

at MEMPHIS. He was also the royal builder for the

pharaohs. Senwosret-ankh’s mastaba at el-LISHTis ruined,

but the original burial was at the end of a deep shaft.

Having a starred ceiling, the chamber is decorated with

the PYRAMID TEXTS. His sarcophagus was fashioned out of

stone blocks set into a floor cavity.

sepat This was the Egyptian name for a NOME or

province, used as well to describe the symbols of such

entities. These symbols, normally representing a local

deity or animal theophany, were carried on poles and

served as totems. The sepatwas always placed just below

the totem and was formed by a depiction of a plot,

crossed and semi-crossed by the lines of canals. Below the

sepatwas another titular figure associated with the nome.

An oil portrait of Senwosret III, the great Middle Kingdom

Period warrior pharaoh, displaying the sacred scarab.