Senusret III

Senusret III was a pharaoh of Egypt who ruled from 1878 BC to 1839 BC during a time of great power and prosperity. He was the fifth king of the Twelfth Dynasty of the Middle Kingdom. He was a great pharaoh of the Twelfth Dynasty and is considered to be, perhaps, the most powerful Egyptian ruler of the dynasty. Consequently, he is regarded as one of the sources for the legend about Sesostris. His military campaigns gave rise to an era of peace and economic prosperity that reduced the power of regional rulers and led to a revival in craftwork, trade, and urban development. Senusret III cleared a navigable canal through the first cataract of the Nile River, and relentlessly pushed his kingdom’s expansion into Nubia where he erected massive river forts. He also led expeditions into Palestine and Syria and afterwards increased trade relations with those regions. Senusret III was among the few Egyptian kings who were deified and honored with a cult during their own lifetime. He was also associated with the nameless pharaoh from the biblical book of Genesis, chapters 39-47, in which Joseph is sold into servitude in Egypt and wins his freedom through his ability to interpret dreams accurately. Senusret III was the son of Senusret II and Khenemetneferhedjet I, also called Khenemetneferhedjet I Weret. He had three wives and several daughters and sons, the most notable of whom was Amenemhat III, who succeeded him as pharaoh. Senusret III was buried in a pyramid at Dahshur, along with his wives and daughters. His cult was centered at Abydos and continued until the New Kingdom. He was also revered by the Nubians, who considered him a god. Senusret III is widely regarded as one of the greatest pharaohs of ancient Egypt.