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ANCIENT EGYPT:
The Middle Kingdom |
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The Middle Kingdom, 2040-1782 BCE |
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There were many problems toward the end of the Old Kingdom, the rise of
the nobles who showed only nominal allegiance to the central authority,
wives who plotted for power and influence, decentralization of
authority, and the rule of powerful queen. The last dynasty of the
Old Kingdom came to an end around 2181 BCE. For approximately 140
years, Egypt suffered from disorder and fragmentation. A
strong line of rulers from Upper Egypt re-established a unified
Egypt under Mentuhotep I. He was named for Mentu the Theban god of
war. His long reign of 5o years resulted in peace and
prosperity. Like most pharaohs, his vast building projects
included an impressive temple at Deir el-Bahari. This temple would
impress the temple builders of the 18th Dynast Queen
Hatshesput. Manetho recorded six kings for Eleventh
Dynasty. Mentuhotep III, the last king of the dynasty, was
overthrown by a military commander who established the Twelfth
Dynasty. Egypt expanded, lands to the South were conquered,
and Egypt was prosperous. The Thirteenth Dynast shared power with
a group Semitic kings known as Hyksos. Manetho considered this to
be the greatest disaster that ever struck Egypt. |
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The
Pharaoh I Chronology I
Manetho II |
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Last update, March
29, 2004 |
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Alexandria Campus
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