The Twelfth Dynasty was a line of pharaohs of the Middle Kingdom, founded by Amenemhat I, probably a former vizier, who restored central authority after the unsettled First Intermediate Period. The capital moved to Itjtawy, near Lisht south of Memphis. Its rulers included Senusret I, Senusret III, who campaigned in Nubia, built great fortresses and curbed the power of regional governors, and Amenemhat III, who developed the Faiyum region. It was a period of prosperity, fine jewelry and classic literature such as the Tale of Sinuhe, and pyramids were still built, now mostly of mud brick. The dynasty ended with Queen Sobekneferu, one of the first women recorded as ruling Egypt in her own right.
Before and after
- from 3rd millennium BCE to 2nd millenniumMaya civilization
- 3rd millennium BCEOrigins of Damascus
- 21st century BCEThe last mammoths die out on Wrangel Island
- from c. 2,000 BCE to 1,500 BCEPhilippine Jade Artifacts
- from c. 1,991 BCE to 1,802 BCETwelfth Dynasty of Egypt
- from 20th century BCE to 6th century BCEBabylonia
- c. 1,900 BCEConstruction of Karnak Temple Complex
- c. 1,900 BCEEruption of Black Peak
- c. 1,890 BCEEruption of Hudson, Cerro
More in Civilizations & archaeology
- c. 1,274 BCEConstruction of Abu Simbel
- from 8th century BCE to 3rd centuryClassical antiquity
- 248 BCEConstruction of Terracotta Army
- 200 BCEOrigins of Nazca Lines
- 19 BCEConstruction of Western Wall
- 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 20th century BCE.