Thirteenth Dynasty
From ArchaeoWiki
The Thirteenth Dynasty of ancient Egypt marked a transition from the unified Middle Kingdom Period to the politically-fragmented Second Intermediate Period (SIP).
Previously, historians had judged the extent of the Middle Kingdom as confined to the late Eleventh and Twelfth Dynasties, marking the start of the SIP with the advent of the Thirteenth Dynasty. Present scholarship, however, has established that the first half of the Thirteenth Dynasty at least should be considered as belonging to the Middle Kingdom period. Thus, although the delineation of a 'dynasty' is somewhat tenuous in this instance—the Thirteenth Dynasty not representing a properly-constituted familial-political arrangement—there was, nonetheless, no change in the political capital or main royal residence (located at Itjtway); little decrease in the general policy, range or effectiveness of government; and no general decline in the material and intellectual culture of Egypt. As regards the latter, many of the finest works of Middle Kingdom art and literature emanate from the period of the early Thirteenth Dynasty.
Importantly, the early Thirteenth Dynasty maintained its control in Nubia to the Second Cataract region. Inter-regional trade relations were also continued. By way of contrast with the Twelfth Dynasty, however, the early Thirteenth Dynasty apparently did oversee a significant decline in monumental building programs, suggesting a departure from the grand conceptions of late Twelfth Dynasty rulers. That the early Thirteenth Dynasty was apparently weaker than its predecessor, hampered by a succession of brief or ephemeral reigns for most rulers of the dynasty, presumably also had some bearing in this matter.
The early Thirteenth Dynasty was seemingly composed of several lineages, the process of royal succession remaining not completely resolved. A "circulating succession" has been suggested[1], power being shared in the short- to mid-term by representatives of the leading families in turn, given the absence of a single ruling dynasty.
With the political fragmentation of the country, the Thirteenth Dynasty greatly altered its character. Ultimately, some scholars view the Seventeenth Dynasty as essentially continuing the Thirteenth Dynasty in an alternate location, ruling from Thebes rather than Itjtway.
Rulers
- Sobekhotep II
- Khasekhemre Neferhotep I
Notes
- ↑ cf. Quirke 1991.
Bibliography
- Quirke, Stephen [1991], "Royal Power in the 13th Dynasty", in Quirke, S. (ed.), Middle Kingdom Studies, New Malden: SIA Publishing, 1991, pp.123-139. ISBN 1872561020
