Colossal statue of a Middle Kingdom King

In the heart of Middle Kingdom Egypt, during the 12th Dynasty (circa 1985–1773 BCE), colossal statues like the one discovered at Herakleopolis Magna were crafted to project the divine authority of pharaohs such as Senwosret III—or possibly even his predecessor, Senwosret II. These kings reigned during one of the most culturally rich and politically centralized periods in ancient Egyptian history. This particular statue, carved from hard stone and once standing as a pair, likely depicted a Middle Kingdom king accompanied by two princesses, whose figures were shown near the king’s legs. While the exact identity remains uncertain, scholars propose it could be either Senwosret III, known for his stern, deeply expressive statues, or Amenemhat IV, whose reign is less understood due to a lack of records. Although we don’t know whether Amenemhat IV had children, Senwosret III is known to have had three wives and at least five daughters. Interestingly, the statue was later reinscribed during the Ramesside Period, possibly under Merneptah—son of Ramses II—which was a common practice when temples and sculptures were repurposed for new rulers. The statue was originally discovered near the remains of a small temple close to the modern city of Faiyum, a region that was once an important agricultural and religious hub during the Middle Kingdom. Herakleopolis Magna (ancient Henen-nesut), located just south of Faiyum, was a key city and had once served as the capital during the First Intermediate Period. By the Middle Kingdom, it remained a religious and strategic center. What makes this statue particularly significant is that it reflects a shift in artistic style that emerged under Senwosret III—a style marked by more individualized and realistic facial features, moving away from the idealized images of previous periods. His statues often convey a sense of seriousness, perhaps reflective of the military campaigns he led into Nubia and the administrative reforms he enforced throughout Egypt. The reuse of the statue during the Ramesside era also points to the reverence later kings had for Middle Kingdom rulers, viewing their legacy as one worth associating with. Merneptah, ruling centuries later, faced challenges from the Libyans and the so-called Sea Peoples, and like his ancestors, sought to legitimize his reign by connecting to Egypt’s glorious past. Today, this colossal sculpture is more than a work of stone—it is a palimpsest of Egyptian history, bearing layers of political symbolism, dynastic pride, and evolving artistic vision. Its survival and rediscovery allow us to glimpse how Egypt’s kings not only ruled in life, but etched their presence into eternity.