Ninth Dynasty of Egypt facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ninth Dynasty of Egypt
c. 2160 BC–c. 2130 BC
Jasper weight with the cartouche of Nebkaure Khety
Capital	Herakleopolis Magna
Common languages	Egyptian language
Religion	ancient Egyptian religion
Government	Absolute monarchy
Historical era	Bronze Age
• Established	c. 2160 BC
• Disestablished	c. 2130 BC
Preceded by Succeeded by Seventh Dynasty of Egypt Eighth Dynasty of Egypt Tenth Dynasty of Egypt

The Ninth Dynasty was a group of rulers in ancient Egypt. It existed around 2160 BC to 2130 BC. This time in Egyptian history is called the First Intermediate Period. During this period, Egypt was not a single, strong country. Instead, different rulers controlled different parts. The Ninth Dynasty is often grouped with the 7th, 8th, 10th, and early 11th Dynasties because they all ruled during this time of change.

The rulers of the Ninth Dynasty came from a city called Herakleopolis Magna. It seems they took control from the earlier Eighth Dynasty in a forceful way. An ancient historian named Manetho described the first ruler of this dynasty, Achthoes, as very powerful and someone who caused many changes across Egypt.

Who Were the Ninth Dynasty Rulers?

The Ninth Dynasty started in the city of Herakleopolis Magna. The Tenth Dynasty also continued from there. During this time, Egypt was not united. This means there were other local rulers in different areas at the same time.

An ancient list of kings, called the Turin Canon, mentions eighteen kings for this royal family. However, many of their names are hard to read, missing, or completely lost.

Important Kings of the Ninth Dynasty

Historians have different ideas about the exact order of these kings. But we do know about a few of them from old objects and writings. Here is a possible list of rulers from the Ninth Dynasty:

Ninth Dynasty Kings (around 2160 - 2130 BC)

Name	Image	What We Know
Meryibre Khety I		This king might be the "Achthoes" that the historian Manetho wrote about. He was a local leader who declared himself pharaoh.
[name lost]		We don't know this king's name.
Neferkare VII		He might be the "Kaneferre" mentioned in the tomb of a local governor named Ankhtifi.
Nebkaure Khety II		This king is also mentioned in an old Egyptian story called The Eloquent Peasant.
Setut		We don't have much information about this king.
[name lost]		We don't know this king's name.
Mery[...]		Part of this king's name is missing.
Shed[...]		Part of this king's name is missing.
H[...]		Part of this king's name is missing.
[three names lost]		Three kings' names are completely lost from the records.
User(?)[...]		Part of this king's name is missing.
Imhotep		This king ruled for a very short time. We only know about him from two carvings found in a place called the Wadi Hammamat. We are not sure exactly when he ruled.