The Middle Kingdom of Egypt was the period of renewed stability and prosperity between the chaos of the First Intermediate Period and the Second Intermediate Period. It began when Mentuhotep II of Thebes reunified the country, and reached its height under the Twelfth Dynasty, founded by Amenemhat I, who moved the capital to Itjtawy near the Faiyum. Kings such as Senusret III extended Egypt's power into Nubia, building massive fortresses, while Amenemhat III oversaw irrigation works in the Faiyum. The period is considered a classical age of Egyptian literature, with works such as the Story of Sinuhe, and of fine jewelry and sculpture. Weak rulers and the infiltration of Asiatic settlers in the Delta led to its decline.
Before and after
- c. 2,100s BCEEpic of Gilgamesh
- c. 2,101 BCEThe Code of Ur-Nammu is issued
- from c. 2,050 BCE to 2,000 BCETenth Dynasty of Egypt
- c. 2,050 BCECode of Ur-Nammu
- from c. 2,040 BCE to 1,782 BCEMiddle Kingdom of Egypt
- c. 2,040 BCEEruption of Long Island
- from c. 2,025 BCE to 609 BCEAssyrian Empire
- from 3rd millennium BCE to 2nd millenniumMaya civilization
- 3rd millennium BCEOrigins of Damascus
More in Civilizations & archaeology
- c. 1,274 BCEConstruction of Abu Simbel
- from 8th century BCE to 3rd centuryClassical antiquity
- from 351 BCE to 1494Construction of Mausoleum at Halicarnassus
- from 323 BCE to 30 BCEHellenistic period
- 248 BCEConstruction of Terracotta Army
- from 375 CE to 568 CEMigration Period
The era
This moment belongs to the Ancient civilizations (3,200 BCE to 500 CE), writing, cities and empires. You can also browse everything in the 21st century BCE.