Senusert III was a pharaoh of the Twelfth Dynasty of Egypt, who ruled from c. 1897 to 1878 BC. He was the son of Amenemhat II and Queen Iset.

Senusert III is best known for his military campaigns in the Levant. Which helped to establish Egyptian control over this region. He campaigned as far as Byblos and Cyprus. And his efforts were rewarded with the return of valuable resources, including cedar wood and bronze.

Senusert III also built several major projects during his reign. Including a new temple at El-Kab, which was dedicated to the god Sokar. He also renovated several other temples, including those at Karnak and Soleb.

In addition to his military and building activities, Senusert III was also a patron of the arts. He commissioned a number of statues and stelae. Including one that depicts him offering a sacred barque to the god Amun.

Initiatives

Granite statue of Senwosret III – he is shown wearing the nemes headcloth with a cobra image of Wadjet at the front, the pleated shendyt kilt, and the bull’s tail, visible between his legs; beneath his feet are nine bows, symbolizing Egypt’s traditional enemies under his power. He also relentlessly pushed his kingdom’s expansion into Nubia (from 1866 to 1863 BC) where he erected massive river forts including Buhen, Semna, Shalfak and Toshka at Uronarti.He carried out at least four major campaigns into Nubia in his Years 8, 10, 16, and 19.

Another great stela from Semna dated to the third month of Year 16 of his reign mentions his military activities against both Nubia and Canaan. In it, he admonished his future successors to maintain the new border that he had created. Year 16, third month of winter: the king made his southern boundary at Heh. I have made my boundary further south than my fathers.

I have added to what was bequeathed me. (…) As for any son (i.e., successor) of mine who shall maintain this border which my Majesty has made, he is my son born to my Majesty. The true son is he who champions his father, who guards the border of his begetter. But he [who] abandons it, who fails to fight for it, he is not my son, he was not born to me. Now my majesty has had an image made of my majesty. At this border which my majesty has made, in order that you maintain it, in order that you fight for it.