| 11th Dynasty (90) 2130-2040BC | |
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The Dynasty itself began
with a series of four kings (in fact hardly more than nomarchs), who
ruled from Thebes. Three known as Intef (or Inyotef), one -
Mentuhotep. They were
each involved in struggles against the northern kings of
Herakleopolis. Interestingly, their Horus names indicate more their
aspirations than reality: Intef II called himself 'Kings of Upper
and Lower Egypt', whereas his control did not extend beyond the
X nom of Upper Egypt; and Intef III gave
himself the name Hr nxt
nb-tp-nfr Horus
Nekhetnebtepnefer (Beautiful
and Strong Champion).
The three Intefs were buried in great tombs in the Dra Abu el-Naga,
on area to the north of the Theban plain on the west bank, close to
where the road starts into the later Valley of the Kings. This
theban nomarchs were, de facto, the most
powerful vassals of hard-working Heracleopolitan Dynasties IX and X.
After long-year rivalry with North they gained the rule over Egypt.
Mentuhotep Nebhephetre re-unified the land and established the rule,
beginning the glorious period of the Middle Kingdom. |
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Menthu-hotep I 
(Montu Is
Satisfied)
(15) 2133-2118BC
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The
ruler regarded as founder of the dynasty, although some historians
place Intef before him, the predecessor of kings
succeeding Mentuhotep I. Others identify Mentuhotep I with
Mentuhotep II Nebhepetre, the fifth pharaoh of this dynasty, the
approach which has not found much of understanding among those who
are expert in the field. The name Mentuhotep used to be associated
with by-name "the Older" Other dating schemes 2160-2123 (Dodson
[with Intef I]) |
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Inyotef I 
(Son Of
Re)
(-1) 2118-2117BC
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Made
wars with Herakleopolitan kingdom (X dynasty). He unified part of
the Land (Thebes, Abydos, This) and extended Theban rule up to
Dendera which means that to him were subjected nomes I-VI of Upper
Egypt. The relief in the temple of Montu at Tod he is presented with
Mentuhotep and Intefs II and III making offerings to the Montu. To
Intef I belongs the earliest of the three tombs located in a row at
the el-Tarif necropolis at Western Thebes, with pillar portico. Other dating schemes 2160-2123 (Dodson, with Mentuhotep I)2134-2118 (Redford) 2125-2112 (Shaw) 2124-2107 (Malek, with Mentuhotep I) 2077-2065 (Franke) 2074-2064 (Lehner)
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Inyotef II
(Son Of
Re)
(48) 2117-2069BC
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Most outstanding ruler of this name. Aiming at unification of the Land he made wars with neighboring nomarchs - nome XIII (Asyut), XV (Hermopolis) and Herakleopolitan rulers - Cheti II and Merikare. Stela Hetepi of el-Kab and "The instructions for the king Merikare" mention battles of Thebans with Herakleopolitans. Finally Intef exptended his control over the land up the Antaeopolis nome X in Upper Egypt. Intef’s tomb is located at the el-Tarif necropolis in Western Thebes and is the middle of three portico tombs. Turin Canon gives 49 years of rule. Other dating schemes 2123-2074
(Dodson)
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Inyotef III
(Son Of
Re)
(7) 2068-2061BC
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Son
of Intef II, father of Mentuhotep II. On relief in the Montu temple
at Tod presented with his predecessors: Intef I and II and his
successor – Mentuhotep II. Presumably put in order system of
internal policy and expanded the borders as far as to nome XVII in
Upper Egypt. The Turin
Canon gives 8 years of rule. Burial place – third of the three
tombs in-row at the necropolis el-Tarif in Western Thebes. Other dating schemes 2074-2066 (Dodson) |
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Menthu-hotep II
(Montu Is
Satisfied)
(51) 2061-2010BC
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The
most outstanding of all rulers bearing this name and one of the
greatest rulers of ancient Egypt. He was son of Intef III by queen
Jah. Turin Canon gives 51 years of his rule. After long-lasting wars
he finally defeated the Heracleopolitan kingdom and re-unified the
land which took place somewhere between his 30 and 34 regnal years.
He made war campaigns to Nubia and Libya. He warred against Bedouins
of Sinai. The stone block from Deir el-Bahari records annexation of
oases and Lower Nubia to Egypt. Stele of Henenu mentions revenge
expedition against Bedouins and expedition to Libya for wood.
Presumablu he renewed trade contacts with the land of Punt. In the
Upper Egypt he erected many sanctuaries, among other magnificent
mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari which became his burial place and
a splendid funerary complex. Between his funerary chamber and
internal courtyard of the temple runs a 150 m long passage. The
funerary chamber contained an alabaster chapel with wooden coffin of
the king and funerary equipment. Of the royal mummy remained only
fragments of skull. 1859 became a year of discovery of a tomb of
queen Tem’s, the first royal wife. East-north of Mentuhotep’s sacral
complex there is a tomb of Neferu, sister and second royal wife. It
is supposed that Mentuhotep I, formerly identified by scholars with
Nebhepetre, was predecessor of the Intefs on Theban throne and
sometimes he is regarded as the founder of dynasty XI. Other dating schemes 2066-2014 (Dodson)
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Menthu-hotep III
(Montu Is
Satisfied)
(12) 2010-1998BC
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Son
of Mentuhotep II Nebhepetre by queen Tem. He came to the throne
after long-year reign of his father. At that time he himself was
relatively elderly. During his reign he was preoccupied with raising
and restoration of many buildings and with sending trade expeditions
to the land of Punt. The first documented expedition took place in
year 8 of Mentuhotep’s rule. With one of his harem women named Imi
he had a son, Mentuhotep IV. However he is not mentioned by Turin
Canon where dynasty XI ends up with Mentuhotep III to whom 12 regnal
years are given. Burial place - Deir el-Bahari, where at the so
called Mountain of Thot he erected a temple of Montu-Re. Also there
he started to build mortuary temple modeled on his great father’s
one, this work however remained unfinished. Other dating schemes 2014-2001 (Dodson)
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