Amenemhat III (c.1855-1808 BC) is the last major king of the Twelfth Dynasty; he reigned for more than 45 years. Along with his predecessor Senusret III (see AE 151), he is regarded as one of the most important rulers of ancient Egypt. The king is well known from an unusually high number of statues, which often show him as a mature man in his prime. He is also the builder of two pyramids; before this, only Snefru (c.2613-258 BC) of the Old Kingdom had constructed multiple pyramids, with at least three attested. However, almost nothing else is known about Amenemhat III and political events in his time.
Family
The family relations of the king are not entirely clear. He was most likely the son of Senusret III. Three wives are known. Aat and Khenemetneferhedjet were buried inside the king’s pyramid at Dahshur. They died young, in their twenties, as examination of their bodies has shown. A third woman, Hetepti, was the mother of the king’s successor Amenemhat IV. However, she is known from only one inscription at the temple at Medinet Madi in the Fayum, and does not bear the title ‘king’s wife’. Her main title is ‘king’s mother’, which relates to Amenemhat IV. She might have been a lesser wife or a concubine of Amenemhat III, although there is no evidence that she was related in any way to him. It is possible that he did not have a male heir, so a brother, or the son of a brother, might have stepped in to become the successor. Another option is that a daughter of Amenemhat III married an official who then became king; a ‘king’s son’ named Khakheperka-seneb (reading uncertain) appears on a vessel inscription found in a tomb at Hawara, but his position and relation to Amenemhat III are uncertain.
There are at least three daughters attested for Amenemhat III. Hathorhotep was buried within the king’s pyramid at Dahshur. She is known only by name, and it is possible that, although she was buried in the Dahshur pyramid, she was the daughter of another king. Neferuptah is known from many monuments and she was buried not far from king’s pyramid at Hawara. There is little doubt about the father–daughter relationship between Amenemhat III and Neferuptah. A third daughter is Sobekneferu, who became the last ruler of the Twelfth Dynasty. In later sources she is called the sister of Amenemhat IV. Although the father–son relation between Amenemhat III and IV is not fully confirmed, it is probable.
