Senusret I

Senusret I was the second pharaoh of the Twelfth Dynasty of Egypt. He ruled from 1971 BC to 1926 BC, and was one of the most powerful kings of this Dynasty. He was the son of Amenemhat I and his wife Nefertitanen. He co-ruled with his father for ten years before ascending the throne as the sole ruler. He continued his father’s aggressive expansionist policies against Nubia and established Egypt’s formal southern border near the second cataract. He also organized expeditions to the Western Desert oasis and established diplomatic relations with some rulers of towns in Syria and Canaan. He tried to centralize the country’s political structure by supporting nomarchs who were loyal to him. He rebuilt the important temple of Re-Atum in Heliopolis and erected two red granite obelisks there to celebrate his Year 30 Heb Sed Jubilee. One of the obelisks still remains and is the oldest standing obelisk in Egypt. He also built temples and shrines in Koptos, Elephantine, Armant, El-Tod, and Nubia. He was known by his prenomen, Kheperkare, which means “the Ka of Re is created”. He was mentioned in the Story of Sinuhe, where he rushed back to the royal palace in Memphis from a military campaign in Libya after hearing about the assassination of his father. He was succeeded by his son Amenemhat II, who was also his co-regent in his last years.