Middle Kingdom · 12th Dynasty

Senusret I

Reign: 1919–1875/74 (1956–1911/10) BC
Throne name: Kheper-ka-Re
Other names: Sesonchosis, Senwosret I, Ankh-mesut
Dynasty: 12th Dynasty
Period: Middle Kingdom, c. 2040–1780 BC
Capital at the time: Thebes, then Itjtawy (near el-Lisht)

Senusret I is listed in the king list under ‘12th Dynasty’ and so belongs to this period: Middle Kingdom (c. 2040–1780 BC). Reign: 1919–1875/74 (1956–1911/10) BC. The figures in brackets give the alternative dating by the Egyptologist Jürgen von Beckerath. The throne name is Kheper-ka-Re. Other recorded names: Sesonchosis, Senwosret I, Ankh-mesut.

What is known about Senusret I

Senusret I was probably the most important ruler of the 12th Dynasty. He is attested by very extensive building activity. Important literary works were composed during his reign, for example the Story of Sinuhe. He built a pyramid at El-Lisht.
From the German Wikipedia list of pharaohs, CC BY-SA 4.0, translated and edited.

The period: Middle Kingdom

After reunification, literature, art and administration flourish. Later generations regarded the language of this period as ‘classical’ Egyptian.

c. 1950 BCAmenemhat I moves the royal residence to Itjtawy; the ‘Story of Sinuhe’ is composed under Senusret I.
c. 1870 BCSenusret III secures the southern frontier with a chain of mighty fortresses in Nubia, such as those at Semna and Buhen.
c. 1840 BCAmenemhat III has the Faiyum opened up through irrigation; the Greeks called his mortuary temple at Hawara the ‘Labyrinth’.
c. 1795 BCSobekneferu reigns as the first female ruler of Egypt attested by contemporary evidence.

More about this period: Middle Kingdom

Senusret I

What is known about Senusret I

The period: Middle Kingdom

12th Dynasty: all rulers

Further reading