Origins & Early Life

See Amenemhat, for other individuals with this name. Amenemhat III, alternatively Amenemhet III, (Egyptian: Ỉmn-m-ḥꜣt, lit. 'Amun is at the forefront') was a pharaoh of ancient Egypt and the sixth king of the Twelfth Dynasty of the Middle Kingdom. He is believed to have been elevated to co-regent by his father Senusret III, with whom he may have shared the throne as the active king for the next twenty years.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

During his reign, Egypt attained its cultural and economic zenith of the Middle Kingdom. The aggressive military and domestic policies of Senusret III, which re-subjugated Nubia and wrested power from the nomarchs, allowed Amenemhat III to inherit a stable and peaceful Egypt. He directed his efforts towards an extensive building program with particular focus on Faiyum. Here he dedicated a temple to Sobek, a chapel to Renenutet, erected two colossal statues of himself in Biahmu, and contributed to excavation of Lake Moeris. He built for himself two pyramids at Dahshur and Hawara, becoming the first pharaoh since Sneferu in the Fourth Dynasty to build more than one.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Near to his Hawara pyramid is a pyramid for his daughter Neferuptah. To acquire resources for his building program,...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Senusret II — Contemporary (Died in -1900) (-1900): Fourth king of the 12th Dynasty, known for massive irrigation works in the Faiyum oasis.
• Sobekneferu — Contemporary (Born in -1900) (-1900): First confirmed female pharaoh of ancient Egypt, ruling during the Twelfth Dynasty.
• Amenhotep I — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Second Pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty, known for rebuilding temples and revolutionizing mortuary design.
• Amenhotep II — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Seventh Pharaoh of the Eighteenth Dynasty, known for stabilizing Egypt's borders.
• Amenhotep III — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: The Magnificent Pharaoh, ruler during Egypt's zenith of prosperity and grandeur.
• America in Vietnam — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A controversial 1978 book arguing for a non-immoral view of US actions in Vietnam.
• -1900 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from -1900
• -1806 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from -1806