Egypt: The Middle Kingdom

The Middle Kingdom of Egypt occupies an odd, transitional time in the history of this culture and the Mediterranean as a whole. The prior unity of rule under specific dynasties is interrupted by the collapse of the Old Kingdom after years of internal strife, famine and other struggles. For a time, different dynasties, the Tenth and the Eleventh, rule over the northern and the southern regions of this nation respectively.

It was Mentuhotep II, a pharaoh of the Eleventh dynasty in the south, who managed complete reunification of Egypt after defeating the Egyptians of the north militarily and consolidating power in his 39th year of rule. Historians consider him to be the founder of Egypt's Middle Kingdom.

This Kingdom would endure approximately four centuries. Eventually, the 11th dynasty would give way to the 12th. The greatest of this line would be Senusret III. This warrior-king would expand the borders in successful wars with Nubia. Additionally, he re-dredged the Old Kingdom canal that had become clogged.

Eventually, the golden age of the 12th dynasty would come to an end, as would that of the Middle Kingdom. Under the 13th dynasty, Egypt would decline into another intermediate period, like that which had followed the demise of the Old Kingdom. The 17th century before Christ saw the complete breakdown of unity in Egypt.

A century prior to this disintegration, the Hyksos arrived.The origin of this people is somewhat mysterious, though their names appear Semitic. These people would eventually lift one of their own to the throne to begin the 15th dynasty, which would rule briefly during this intermediate period before the New Kingdom.