Grey Granite Statue of Amenemhat III

Amenemhat III meaning “Amun is at the forefront”, was the son of the great king Senwosret III, and the sixth king of Ancient Egypt’s 12th Dynasty.

Amenemhat Ill’s features are clearly marked and give life to a highly individualistic portrait quite unlike the idealized models of the ruler. The cheekbones protrude, the eyelids are heavy, the curves of the mouth evident, and the deep lines that indicate his advanced age express a sense of deep tension.

The high cheekbones, wrinkled face, and bitter, pouted mouth identify the statue as belonging to the 12th Dynasty ruler, King Amenemhat III. The area of Faiyum, largely drained by Amenemhat III, was chosen by the king as his burial place where he built a pyramid and a large funerary complex celebrated in classical sources as the “Labyrinth.”

The are a variety of contemporary sources attesting to the reign of Amenemhat III. Chief among these are the collection of inscriptions left at mining sites throughout Egypt, Nubia, and the Sinai peninsula.

Did you know?

The first pyramid Amenemhat III attempted to build, the so-called Black Pyramid, had major construction flaws and had to be abandoned when it started to collapse.

Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty, c.1853-1806 B.C. Dimension: H. 23, W. 20, D. 17 cm. Now in the Neues Museum, Berlin. Inv.-No. ÄM 17551