Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

The Middle Kingdom of Ancient Egypt by Wolfram Grajetzki explores the era of the Middle Kingdom (2000-1700 BC), including its art, history, literature, the political achievements of the powerful Twelfth Dynasty, and the evidence modern archaeology has revealed about the culture, history, and society of provincial Egypt. A detailed and scholarly textual analysis that paints a vivid picture of a noble nation-state's vibrant past.