Amenemhat

Amenemhat, also written Amenemhet, is the throne name of several ancient Egyptian pharaohs who ruled during the Middle Kingdom. The name means “Amun is foremost.” The most prominent bearer is Amenemhat I, founder of the 12th Dynasty, traditionally dated to the late 2nd millennium BCE. He is credited with consolidating the dynasty, establishing a centralized administration, and moving the capital to Itjtawy. His pyramid complex at Lisht is among the early monumental expressions of the 12th Dynasty.

Amenemhat II, who reigned after Amenemhat I (roughly 1929–1895 BCE, dates vary by source), continued the consolidation of royal power and supported state-building efforts, including architectural projects and the administration that sustained resource extraction and irrigation works. His reign is known from a range of inscriptions and tombs.

Amenemhat III, sometimes dated to around 1860–1814 BCE, is noted for extensive state-sponsored irrigation and land reclamation projects in the Faiyum region and for a large-scale mortuary complex that may include the famous so-called Labyrinth at Hawara, a site associated with his era in popular tradition.

Amenemhat IV, with a shorter and less-documented rule (roughly 1814–1805 BCE), is the least well-attested of the Amenemhats. His reign marks the late phase of the 12th Dynasty, after which the 13th Dynasty and other periods followed.

In Egyptian sources, Amenemhat appears in king lists and inscriptions as a royal name used by multiple rulers. The four pharaohs named Amenemhat collectively helped shape the Middle Kingdom’s political structure, architectural programs, and economic administration.