Middle+Kingdom



Amenemhat I []

Back to Home Back to Group The Middle Kingdom **//The Middle Kingdom was Egypt’s Golden Age.//** There were many events that had an impact on the empire as it expanded. **Art and Literature progressed and were encouraged.** The Middle Kingdom was mostly a great time for Egypt.

The Middle Kingdom went from 2040 B.C.- 1782 B.C. After the First Intermediate Period, King Mentuhotep II reunited Egypt. He started the 11th Dynasty at Thebes and 6 more pharaohs succeeded him. When the 11th Dynasty declined, a vizier named Amenemhat I rose to power and moved the capital to el-Lisht, creating the 12th Dynasty. Egypt attacked Nubia, a country to the south. They wanted Nubia’s gold and other natural resources. At first the Nubians rebelled, but eventually saw the advantage of Egyptian protection. **//Egypt also conquered Syria and Palestine to the East.//**

Art and Literature were a major part of Ancient Egypt. The Egyptians did not build gigantic pyramids as in the Old Kingdom, but still made many pieces of art. They made sculptures called Block statues, which looked like a man squatting down with his knees drawn up to his chest and his arms crossed over the knees. The men often wore a "wide cloak" that makes the body look like a block. Pharaohs, animals of the Nile area, gods, and pictures on walls were other works of art made by the Egyptians. The rock-cut tombs of the Valley of Kings were also started during this time. Literature during the Middle Kingdom was motivated by entertainment and intellectual curiosity. **//Stories, poems, and philosophical works were written.//** Art and Literature contributed to the culture of Egypt.

The Middle Kingdom was a great period of time for Egypt. Many events occurred that changed the way Egypt was. Art and literature were also very important because it showed daily life, culture, and animals. Although the Middle Kingdom isn't as well known, it was an important part of Ancient Egypt.



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Bibliography:

Great Ages of Man: Ancient Egypt by Lionel Casson and Editors of Time-life books

Published by Time Incorporated in New York City (c) 1965 Pages 123-125

The Egyptian Kingdoms by A. Rosalie David Published by Peter Bedrick Books in New York City (c) 1988 Pages 18-22

The Usborne Internet Linked Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt by Gill Harvey and Struan Reid Published by EDC Publishing in Tulsa, Oklahoma (c) none Pages: 20-23, 44,64, 80, 98, and 103.

Electronic Sources

The Middle Kingdom King-Tut.org.uk www.king-tut.org.uk/ancient egypt-history/middle kingdom No author, publisher or publishing. Visited 1-7-12