Eleventh Dynasty of Egypt Facts for Kids

The Eleventh Dynasty (also called Dynasty XI) was a group of powerful rulers in ancient Egypt. They ruled from about 2150 BC to 1991 BC. The early kings of this dynasty were part of a time called the First Intermediate Period. Later kings helped start the Middle Kingdom. All these rulers governed from the city of Thebes in Upper Egypt.

What Made the Eleventh Dynasty Special?
Kings of the Eleventh Dynasty
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What Made the Eleventh Dynasty Special?

Historians know a lot about the Eleventh Dynasty. This is thanks to old records and lists of kings. One important record is the Turin King List. It helps us understand when these kings ruled.

An ancient writer named Manetho said there were 16 kings in this dynasty. He also said they ruled for only 43 years. But other records show there were actually seven kings. They ruled for a much longer time, about 143 years. Manetho was right about one thing: the dynasty was based in Thebes. During this dynasty, all of ancient Egypt was brought back together. This marked the start of the Middle Kingdom.

How the Dynasty Began

This dynasty started with a local governor from Thebes. His name was "Intef the Great." He was a powerful leader in his region. But the first king of this dynasty was his successor, Mentuhotep I.

One king, Wahankh Intef II, was the first to claim he ruled all of Egypt. This led to fights with the rulers of the 10th Dynasty. These rulers were based in a city called Herakleopolis Magna. Intef II led his armies north. He managed to capture the important area of Abydos.

Uniting Egypt

The fighting between Thebes and Herakleopolis Magna continued for a while. But eventually, the Thebans won. This happened during the reign of Nebhepetre Mentuhotep II. After this victory, the Eleventh Dynasty could truly unite and strengthen their rule.

The kings of this dynasty also made Egypt powerful again. They brought back Egypt's influence over its neighbors. These neighbors were in Africa and the Near East. For example, Mentuhotep II sent trips to Phoenicia. This was to get valuable cedar wood. Later, Sankhkare Mentuhotep III sent an expedition from Coptos. This trip went south to a place called the land of Punt.

The End of the Dynasty

The end of the Eleventh Dynasty is a bit of a mystery. Records mention "seven empty years" after Mentuhotep III died. These years match the reign of Nebtawyre Mentuhotep IV. Some experts believe his chief minister, Amenemhat, became the next king. This Amenemhat is thought to be Amenemhat I, who started the 12th Dynasty. It might have happened because of a change in power at the palace. We only know a few things about Mentuhotep IV's reign. His chief minister, Amenemhat, saw two amazing signs at a stone quarry called Wadi Hammamat.

Kings of the Eleventh Dynasty

Here are the kings who ruled during the Eleventh Dynasty:

**Pharaohs of Dynasty XI**
Pharaoh	Horus name	Reign	Burial	Consort(s)	Comments
Mentuhotep I	Tepya	2134 BC – ?		Neferu I	Tepy-a, "the ancestor"
Intef I	Sehertawy	?–2118 BC	El-Tarif, Thebes		Son of Mentuhotep I
Intef II	Wahankh	2118–2069 BC	El-Tarif, Thebes	Neferukayet?	Brother of Intef I
Intef III	Nakhtnebtepnefer	2069–2061 BC	El-Tarif, Thebes	Iah	Son of Intef II
Nebhepetre Mentuhotep II	Seankhibtawy (originally) Netjerihedjet (later, pre-reunification); Sematawy (later, post-reunification)	2061–2010 BC	Deir el-Bahari	Tem Neferu II Ashayet Henhenet Kawit Kemsit Sadeh	Son of Intef III and Iah. Reunifies Egypt starting the Middle Kingdom.
Sankhkare Mentuhotep III	Sankhtawyef	2010–1998 BC	Deir el-Bahari		Son of Mentuhotep II and Tem
Nebtawyre Mentuhotep IV	Nebtawy	1998–1991 BC			Son of Queen Imi

Images for kids

This part of the Abydos King List shows cartouches (royal names) from the Eleventh Dynasty.
A model of Egyptian soldiers from the 11th Dynasty, found in the tomb of Mesehti.
A model of Nubian archers from the 11th Dynasty, found in a tomb in Asyut.

Eleventh Dynasty of Egypt facts for kids

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