The Middle Kingdom of Ancient Egypt: History, Archaeology and Society (Duckworth Egyptology) (Duckworth Egyptology Series) [Paperback]

Wolfram Grajetzki (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0715634356 | ISBN-13: 978-0715634356 | Publication Date: March 1, 2006

For the ancient Egyptians, the Middle Kingdom (c. 2000-1700 BC) was a classical period of art, history and literature. The Twelfth Dynasty was one of the strongest ever to rule on the banks of the Nile: some of its kings were later worshipped as local gods, and were made famous by classical Greek authors. Yet Egyptologists tend not to look beyond the extraordinary royal sculpture and literary masterpieces of the time. Although the picture is fragmentary, as with any archaeological record, the last two hundred years of exploration and excavation have revealed much of the splendor of the period. This book examines the evidence for the culture, history and society of both central and provincial Egypt at the time, revealing the wealth of the entire country. Too often overshadowed by the better-preserved architecture of other periods, Middle Kingdom Egypt emerges for the reader as a fascinating age in its own right.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Wolfram Grajetzki is the author of several books, including most recently Burial Customs in Ancient Egypt (2003, also published by Duckworth) and studies of Tarkhan and Harageh.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Gerald Duckworth & Company (March 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0715634356
• ISBN-13: 978-0715634356
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #785,085 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thorough account., August 31, 2010

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DFOX - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Middle Kingdom of Ancient Egypt: History, Archaeology and Society (Duckworth Egyptology) (Duckworth Egyptology Series) (Paperback)

Middle Kingdom Egypt is less well known than the other periods but author Grajetski gives the most thorough account of every aspect of life during this important transitional time, including Pharaohs and Dynasties, important officials, details of the life of the common people, archaeological sites, etc. He leaves no stone unturned and mines the data with great detail. I particularly loved his compendium on the nomes of ancient Egypt and their important Middle Kingdom population centers from Aswan to the Delta with commentary on temples and tombs found in each. This book left me with a much richer appreciation for the whole of Egyptology. A most enjoyable read if you are fascinated with life in Ancient Egypt! I would be sure to take it along on a tour up the Nile.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Middle Kingdom - Unappreciated Glory, September 22, 2007

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Glen V. Mcintyre (Kingfisher, ok. USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Middle Kingdom of Ancient Egypt: History, Archaeology and Society (Duckworth Egyptology) (Duckworth Egyptology Series) (Paperback)

Many books have been written about Ancient Egypt. However, most of them cover either the Old Kingdom - that is the Pyramid Age, or the New Kingdom- the great Pharoahs like Thutmose III, Hatshepsut, Amenhotep III, Akhnaton and Rameses the Great.
This book is a comprehensive history of this underappreciated period in Egyptian history - the 11, 12th&13th dynasties.
The book starts with brief, concise summaries of the reign of each of the Pharoahs of the period, such as Montuhotep, and Amenemhet and Senusret, as well as summaries of the mysterious 13th dynasty, which is usually completely ignored in the history books.
Then the book starts in the South of Egypt, and works its way north, region ( called Nomes in Egyptian history) by region, summarizing all of the remains that can be found in this region which date to the Middle Kingdom.
Then the books concludes with a section on Egyptian society, including material on the King and his court, and some of the towns like Lahun.
This is a comprehensive, welcome addition to an armchair Egyptologists library.

4.0 out of 5 stars EXCELLENT ADDITION TO STUDY OF THE MIDDLE KINGDOM, March 11, 2011

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Great Pyr (OR) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: The Middle Kingdom of Ancient Egypt: History, Archaeology and Society (Duckworth Egyptology) (Duckworth Egyptology Series) (Paperback)

I'D HAVE RATED THIS BOOK A 5 STAR ACCEPT FOR IT'S INADEQUATE MAPS. MANY FINE LINE DRAWINGS OF ARCHITECTURE BUT ONE NEEDS AN ADDITIONAL MAP SOURSE WHILE READING TO KNOW WHERE THINGS WERE HAPPENING.