Part 2

The Middle Kingdom & Second Intermediate Period

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The Middle Kingdom

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Reunification of Egypt:-

Mentuhotep II is also known as “The Second Menes” as he rejoined the Egypt. After reintegration, he focused on military accomplishments and construction projects. Mentuhotep III expanded and sustained his programs.

Amenemhat I:-

The 12th dynasty was founded by Amenemhat I, he considered himself chosen by the gods as most Pharaohs believed to legitimise their reign. The practice of co-regency became prominent as Amenemhat I appointed his son Senusret I as his co-regent. It was to ensure, the next king understood the responsibilities and learned how to govern a vast empire, and the seamless transfer of power to stop clashes.

Senusret III:-

Senusret III was the most potent emperor of the Middle Kingdom. During his dominion, the empire made military progress, and riches were risen as well as Egypt’s influence. His era was so prosperous that the people used to deified him during his lifetime – a rare honour in ancient Egypt.

The first Labyrinth:-

The labyrinth of Hawara is a complex mortuary temple built by Amenemhat III. It had multiple passageways, rooms and enclosures.

Agricultural advancements:-

In the 12th dynasty, nilometers were used to gauge the height of the flood to determine the tax level supposed to be paid in that particular region. Various crops were grown due to technological advancements of the dynasty for example a tool called “shaduf” was used to increase production.

Sobekneferu:-

Sobekneferu was potentially the daughter of Amenemhat III and sister of Amenemhat IV, due to no male heir she ascended to the throne and became the first lady to govern since the early dynastic period. She sustained the power and after her death, due to no male successor, the 12th dynasty ceased.

13th and 14th dynasties:-

It was founded by Sobekhotep I but was more vulnerable than the 12th dynasty. Lack of central authority resulted in the collapse of the 13th dynasty and Egypt was split into fragments ruled by local nomarchs or chiefs. Little is known about the 14th dynasty and it was presumably ruled by the local Egyptians with no central power. Thus, the second intermediate period began.

Second Intermediate Period

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Hyksos Invasion:-

Hyksos – Semitic people from the Levant invaded northern Egypt and occupied the Nile Delta. They announced the 15th dynasty and established control over Lower Egypt with their capital at Avaris. The upper Egypt was still under the Egyptian’s influence. The 16th dynasty existed simultaneously with the 15th dynasty, its capital was Thebes. Nubians became stronger in the South of Egypt causing trouble for Egyptian rulers.

Hyksos domination over Thebans:-

Hyksos empire was more powerful than the Thebans thus people of upper Egypt paid taxes to the Hyksos government which they referred to as “Asiatic taxes”. Later, in the 17th century, the Thebans grew powerful enough to rebel against the Hyksos.

The War between Hyksos and Thebans:-

As Thebans rose into authority they challenged the Hyksos. Thebans were pure Egyptian people who yearned for freedom from Hyksos’ rule over Egypt as they were a foreign nation.

One day the Hyksos King Apophis (also known as Apepi), wrote a letter to the Theben King Seqenenre Tao: “Do away with the hippopotamus pool to the east of the city, for it prevents me from sleeping day and night”. He claimed the noises were loud to caused him not to sleep even though the cities were apart from each other. The hippopotamus was utilized in Theban’s religious practices and it was seen as a symbolic attack on Thebans and to humiliate the King.

The Theban King was enraged by the letter and took it as a challenge. He prompts an attack on the Hyksos – a pivotal moment in ancient Egypt’s history. Seqenenre Tao died in between the military campaigns against the Hyksos but his son Kamose led further movements against the Hyksos. Kamose gave a formidable period to the Hyksos but perished ultimately and his son Ahmose I led the campaigns further.

End of Hyksos:-

Ahmose I conquered Avaris (capital of the Hyksos empire) terminated the Hyksos people reunified the lower and upper Egypt once again and formed a central government in Egypt. After expelling the foreigners he fortified the northern and southern borders to prevent potential invaders from attacking and initiated plans against Nubia. He is the founder of the 18th dynasty and with this, we enter into the New Kingdom of ancient Egypt – the pinnacle of Egypt’s wealth, power and influence.

Story of Prophet Joseph and role in Egypt

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Prophet Jacob and his sons:-

Prophet Jacob used to reside in modern-day Palestine 🇵🇸 with his sons. One of his sons Prophet Joseph once saw a dream of 11 stars, moon and sun prostrating him. His father advised him not to let out the dream to anyone and knew his son was destined for prophethood. Due to jealousy, his 11 brothers decided to kill him initially but later threw him in a well where a caravan took him prisoner and sold him in Egypt’s market.

Prophet Joseph and Zuleikha:-

The Hyksos minister bought him. He was famous for his beauty and wisdom. As he grew older the wife of the minister also known as “Zuleikha” in Islamic tradition fell in love with him. She tried to seduce him but due to high moral character Prophet Joseph denied her. In her frustration and fury, she accused him of harassment. Minister knew the purity of Prophet Joseph but imprisoned him to avoid scandal and humiliation.

Prophet Joseph’s rise to power:-

Once the King saw an unusual dream and nobody was able to decipher it. One of the men knew the intellect of Prophet Joseph and urged the King to invite him. Prophet Joseph decrypted the dream and prophecised 7 years of abundance following 7 years of famine. Witnessing his wisdom the King offered him the position of managing the resources.

Minister and reunion with family:-

It is interpreted that the King at the time of Prophet Joseph was Hyksos King as Prophet Joseph was Semitic and the Hyksos would have been more relaxed assigning such a high position to a non-Egyptian person than the Pharaohs of Egypt.

Prophet Joseph was honoured with Ministership and oversaw the resources of Egypt and was second to only the King. One day his brothers reached for business and he disclosed his identity to them. He pardoned them and invited his whole household to Egypt.