Senusret I served as co-regent with his father until
his father's death at which time he became the second king of the
12th Dynasty. Senusret I ruled for 34
years following his father's death.
During his reign, a series of 13 forts were built down to the Second Cataract. Gold mines near Coptos and agricultural goods from the Wadi Hammamat were utilized. Quarries and mines were also exploited throughout Egypt. During his long reign Senusret I led various expeditions to the south and to the oases. He carried out building projects at over three dozen sites around Egypt.
Senusret I took his son, Amenemhet II, as co-regent for the last three years of his reign. His pyramid complex was built at Lisht, about 1 mile south of his father's pyramid.
Some of the other names Senusret I in known by are Sesostris I and Senwosret I.
Senusret II began as co-regent with his father, Amenemhet II. His reign was marked by a long period of peace. He continued the foreign policies of his predecessors and was also popular with the provincial elites. He continued the cultivation efforts in the Faiyum. Senusret II built his pyramid at Luhan.
Some of the other names Senusret II in known by are Sesostris II, Senwosret II
Senusret III was the 5th King of the
12th Dynasty and ruled for 37 years
following his father's death. It does not appear that Senusret III's father,
Senusret II, named him co-ruler during his father's rule.
Senusret III is believed to have stood about 6"6' which for some reason is believed to have been important in his internal changes in the government. This mainly consisted of subjugating the nomarchs who had gained too much power and threatened the monarchy. He also appointed three officials to oversee select parts of Egypt.
Senusret III led several campaigns to Nubia and one to Syria. The Nubian expeditions were aimed at subjugating Lower Nubia and making it safer for trade. Two campaigns were directly in response to rebellions. The one expedition to Syria is believed to have been only to plunder the area and as a way to demoralize the people of that region. On one of his expeditions, Senusret III left an admonition for his future forbears; it was a statement that the boundary set by him was to be maintained if an heir was to be related to him, otherwise the king was not related to him. This might explain why Senusret III was later worshipped as a god in Nubia.
Although known for his military prowess, Senusret III was also known as a builder. One of his projects was a temple built in honor of the war god Montu. He built the largest pyramid of the 12th Dynasty at Dahshur, but not much of it survived to the present.
Some of the other names Senusret III in known by are Sesostris III, Senwosret III
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