Middle Kingdom (CA. 2040-1640 B.C.)

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Begin of The Middle Kingdom:

In the Late of dynasty 11 King Mentuhotep II of Upper Egypt reunites the country with capital at Thebes. Monumental building projects resume in Upper Egypt, as does trade with nearby lands.

In the dynasty 12 one of the great periods of Egyptian art and literature (“portraits” of kings and texts such as “The Story of Sinuhe,” "The Eloquent Peasant,” wisdom texts,” etc.). First king, Amenemhat I, relocates capital to the north at El Lisht. His pyramid and that of his son (Senwosret I) built at Lisht according to Old Kingdom prototypes.

Later pyramids at Dahshur, Illahun, and Hawara. In the Faiyum new land made available for cultivation through irrigation. Lower Nubia conquered and forts built at the second cataract. Important gods are Osiris (at Abydos) and Amun (at Thebes). Imports from Minoan Crete.

Pyramid of Senfru at Dahshur

In the dynasty 13 During most of the dynasty administration continues as set up in Dynasty 12. Position of kings weakened by very short reigns. Asiatic foreigners settle in eastern delta and an important center for trade grows at Avaris (Tell el-Dab'a). Many imports from Canaan. Nubian forts are abandoned after middle of the dynasty.

In the dynasty 14 local rulers in the delta rule contemporaneously with rulers of late Dynasty 13.

Dynasties 15 and 16 (CA. 1640-1550 B.C.)

Western Asiatic kings originating from foreign community at Avaris with strong ties to southern Canaan gain power over most of Egypt. They are called “chiefs of foreign lands” (in Egyptian heka khasut, or Hyksos). They adopt the Egyptian title of pharaoh, usurp earlier monuments, and make contacts with the kingdom of Kerma in Nubia. (More about the Hyksos invasion)

Dynasty 17 (Period of Hyksos )

Ruling dynasty of Thebes contemporaneous with the Hyksos. They acknowledge Hyksos as their overlords, but at the end of the dynasty King Kamose starts movement to expel the Hyksos. From this time onward, Egyptian military power is based on the use of horse-drawn chariots. (Egypt conditions under the Hyksos)