As in the Predynastic Period unification came from the south through a family from Luxor. They formed the Eleventh Dynasty. The first prominent ruler from the Twelfth Dynasty was Amenemhat I. Egypt became very prosperous under his reign, and those of his successors. So much so, that Egypt dominated Nubia to the south and traded with Palestine to the north-east. Many literary masterpieces were written in this period. Expeditions went as far as the exotic land of Punt. The last king of the Twelfth Dynasty was Amenemhat IV and a female pharaoh Sobeknefru after him.
The Thirteenth Dynasty started with another upheaval, known as the Second Intermediate Period [1782-1570 BCE], with very short reigns that weakened the power of the throne. At the same time foreigners called the Hyksos settled in the Delta at Avaris (Tell ed-Dhaba). They were probably from Western Asia as their pottery and building styles reveal strong links with this region.