Lecture on the Middle Kingdom of Egypt

Context of the Middle Kingdom

• Lecturer: Dr. Rob Steffen
• Time Period Before: First Intermediate Period
  • Characterized by fragmentation and regionalization
  • Complex political and military struggles
  • Tenth Dynasty: Ruled from Heracleopolis in Lower Egypt
  • Powerful nomarchs arise in Thebes (Upper Egypt)

The Rise of Thebes and the 11th Dynasty

• Key Figures:
  • Intef I: Local leader who proclaimed himself king, founder of the 11th Dynasty
  • Intef II: Conquered Abydos, linked himself symbolically to early kings
  • Mentuhotep II: Reunified Egypt after defeating the Heracleopolitan kings
• Significant Date: ~2055 BCE (Reunification by Mentuhotep II)

Achievements of the Middle Kingdom

• Expeditions:
  • Sinai Peninsula for metals/minerals
  • Military campaigns into Nubia
• Religious Authority:
  • Reinstated central authority
  • Reestablished the cult of the Pharaoh

Ideological Shifts in Kingship

• Old Kingdom Kings: Idealized, youthful, divine beings (e.g., Khafre, Menkaure)
• First Intermediate Period: Showed that kings could be challenged
• Middle Kingdom Kings: More realistic depictions
  • Examples: Statue of Amenemhat III
• Literature and Art: Show kings as fallible, shepherds of people

Prominent Kings and Achievements

• Senusret I: Portrayed as shepherd of the people
• Senusret III:
  • Peak of the Middle Kingdom
  • Abolished nomarchs
  • Strong military campaigns in Nubia
  • Controlled movement of non-Egyptians
  • Legacy memorialized by Greeks (e.g., Herodotus)

Middle Kingdom Literature

• Considered the literary high point of Ancient Egypt
• Complex themes dealing with real-life issues
  • Examples:
    • Debate between a Man and His Ba: Discusses the value of life
    • The Eloquent Peasant: Commentary on justice and power

Middle Kingdom Art

• Focused on everyday life, not just the divine
  • Tomb models depicting daily activities (fishing, brewing beer, taxation)
  • Realistic portrayals in tomb reliefs and paintings
  • Artifacts from the tomb of Meketre

Artistic and Literary Achievements

• Shift towards realistic representation in art
  • Examples: Statues of Senusret III and Amenemhat III
• Reliefs and paintings in non-royal tombs depict everyday activities
• Competitive sports depicted in tombs

Conclusion

• Middle Kingdom as a classical age of art and literature
• Emphasis on real-life and daily activities
• Artistic movement reflecting real challenges and beauty of life
• Philosophical reflections on the complexity of life

Key takeaway: The Middle Kingdom was not just about grand constructions but also about deep philosophical and cultural development.