Senwosret III, King of Egypt (1874-1855 BC)

The late Twelfth-Dynasty king Senwosret III (also known as Senusret or Sesostris) succeeded Senwosret II and was instrumental in reshaping Egypt's internal and foreign affairs. His domestic policy centred on the reorganization of the administrative system. After the Old Kingdom (about 2613-2160 BC), royal power was devolved to provincial governors (nomarchs), but the Twelfth Dynasty saw the re-centralization of power and the gradual disappearance of the governors and their families, their tombs move from the provinces to the royal cemetery. This process reaches its climax in the reign of Senwosret III.

Senwosret also launched a series of campaigns to annex more thoroughly the Second Cataract region, and strengthened the chain of fortresses controlling Lower Nubia. So great was his hold on Nubia that by the New Kingdom (about 1550-1070 BC) the deified Senwosret was worshipped in the northern part of the province. The king seems to have personally led a campaign into Palestine and has left remains of building work throughout Egypt.