Egypt and Palestine in the Middle Kingdom
& Second Intermediate Periods

Historical Background

	Strong rulers of the 12th Dynasty at the beginning of 
	the Dynasty.
		
		Amememhat I - may have been vizier in 11th Dynasty.

			Moves capital northward to Memphis area.
					
			Strengthens Egyptian borders and campaigns
			against the traditional enemies.

			May have been assassinated.

		Senweseret I, reigns 38 yrs.

			Expands into Nubia and campaigns against Libyans.

			Strengthens central government.

		Dynasty reaches its height under Senweseret III
		(about 1860 B.C.E.).

	Egypt weakens at the end of the 12 Dynasty
	[ANET., pp. 328]. Kings of 13th-14th Dynasties
	were ephemeral.

		Perhaps some of the weakiness due to
		movement of Asiatic peoples into Egypt
		just prior to disintegration of the 
		Middle Kingdom (perhaps around 1700 B.C.E.)

		Asiatics infiltrated or conquered Egypt
		(h(y)ke.hswt = Hyksos)

			New weaponry: horse-drawn chariots

	Hyksos. ANET., p. 231.  Group associated with Hurrian
	culture.

		Associate with the city of Tanis (Avaris) in
		Delta and the general delta region. Indigenous
		Egyptian culture in the south (13th, 14th & 17th Dyn.)
	
		Egyptian kings of 14th-16th bear Asiatic names

		Folk tale only insight into the Hyksos. ANET., pp. 231-232.

		Hyksos became egyptianized: stela of King Khayan
		in Palestine and Egypt. 

	Archaeological remains in Egypt

		Tell el-Yahudiyeh - massive fortification system &
		distinctive pottery.

		Qantir in Delta - burials, distinctive pottery, weapons,
		jewelry (scarabs) and small finds.
		
	Liberation of Egypt by mid-part of the 16th c. B.C.E.

		Seqnen-Re of 17th Dynasty and Folktale. ANET., pp. 231-232.

		Kamose's war in Middle Egypt. ANET., pp. 232-233, 554-555.

		Ah-mose throws the Hyksos out. ANET., pp. 233-234.