The Giant of the Middle Kingdom: Sesostri III
Brief review on the Fifth Pharaoh of the 12th Dynasty
Sesostri III was truly a giant in every sense of the word. Athletic and of the highest stature he reigned for a full thirty years (1878 to 1843 B.C.), leading Egypt to the height of its splendor at the time. Herodotus and Manetho compare his greatness to that of Ramesses II.
According to ancient traditions, he also had a pyramid built at Dashur, which has now almost completely collapsed.
Fifth Pharaoh of the Twelfth Dynasty, who succeeded Sesostri II, found a country in which real power was still divided among the Nomarchs, legacies of the early intermediate period, who now considered their office a hereditary asset, despite the attempts of previous Pharaohs to limit their authority. Therefore, he cut short and divided the country into three territories: Lower Egypt, Upper Egypt and Elephantine. Later, with the conquest of Nubia a fourth territory would be added.
He appointed a single governor for each territory with direct responsibility to the Grand Vizier, thus succeeding in eliminating every other power center. Having consolidated the kingdom, he then dealt with both the Nubian and Libyan threats, taking Egypt's borders as far as the second cataract, at Semna, where he placed memorial stelae and built important fortifications. And these had also been well preserved until, with the construction of the Aswan Dam, everything was submerged!
Near his pyramid jewelry was found, including a splendid breastplate, attributed to his daughter Mereret, celebrating these victories. Another victorious expedition of his reportedly took place later in the Retenu.
Sesostri III was also very concerned with the commercial development of Egypt, with trading expeditions to the South and the Red Sea, restored and built Temples, such as the one dedicated to Montu, god of war, at Madamud. In the statues dedicated to him in these temples, there is an important peculiarity. Whereas previously the Pharaoh was always depicted at the height of his longevity and youth, the statues of Sesostri III depict his gradual advancement in age and thus constitute true faithful portraits: beautiful, from which emanates all the authority and personality of the Pharaoh.
