2125–2112 BCE
11th Dynasty of Egypt
2125–1985 BCE
The 11th Dynasty began as a regional Theban house under the Intef kings, who extended their control in Upper Egypt during the First Intermediate Period. Its later kings, beginning with Nebhepetre Mentuhotep II, reunited the country and are treated as the founders of the Middle Kingdom.
Mentuhotep II's terraced mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari and the expeditions recorded at Wadi Hammamat mark the return of strong central kingship. The early chronology of the dynasty and its territory remain debated.
- Period
- Middle Kingdom
- Dates
- 2125–1985 BCE
- Rulers profiled
- 6
Rulers of the 11th Dynasty
Every ruler profile in the archive for this dynasty, in the order used by the chronology. Each name links to a full profile with dates, background, sources and illustrations.
11th Dynasty (Theban, early)
11th Dynasty (all Egypt)
2055–2004 BCE
2004–1992 BCE
1992–1985 BCE
Major monuments
- Saff-tombs at el-Tarif
- Theban royal inscriptions
- Mentuhotep II’s Deir el-Bahri complex
- Wadi Hammamat inscriptions
Key events
- Expansion of Theban influence northward and southward.
- Reunification of Egypt
- expeditions to the Red Sea and Wadi Hammamat.
Reading the evidence
This is a regional phase of Dynasty 11; dates and territorial control are reconstructed from limited evidence.
The reunification is central to the dynasty’s historical importance, though the chronology of its early stages remains debated.
Sources: Shaw (2000); UCL Digital Egypt; Metropolitan Museum chronology; Metropolitan Museum. See the full bibliography.