Mentuhotep II
| Mentuhotep II | |
|---|---|
 Mentuhotep II |
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| Pharaoh of Egypt | |
| Reign | 2061–2010 BC, 11th dynasty |
| Predecessor | Intef III |
| Successor | Mentuhotep III |
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| Consort(s) | Tem, Neferu, Ashayet, Henhenet, Kawit, Kemsit, Sadeh |
| Children | Mentuhotep III |
| Father | Intef III |
| Mother | Iah |
| Born | 2046 BC |
| Died | 1995 BC |
Nebhepetre Mentuhotep II (2046 BC – 1995 BC) was a Pharaoh of the 11th dynasty, the son of Intef III of Egypt and a minor queen called Iah. His own wife was the 'king's mother' Tem. Other wives were Neferu (his sister) and several secondary wives, one or more who it has been suggested were possibly Nubian,[3][4] buried in his funerary complex. His only known son was Mentuhotep III.
Many Egyptologists have long considered two rock reliefs, showing Mentuhotep II towering over smaller figures labeled king "Intef", to be conclusive evidence that his predecessor Intef III was his own father; this is, however, not entirely certain, as these reliefs may have had other propagandistic purposes, and there are other difficulties surrounding Mentuhotep's true origin, and his frequent attempts to claim descent from various gods.[5]
The king seems to have changed his "Horus name" at least twice during his reign - in his 14th year, marking the beginning of his campaign against Herakleopolis Magna to the north; and again in about his 39th, marking the final success of that campaign, and his reunification of all Egypt. His throne name was Nebhepetre, and he was the first ruler of the Middle Kingdom of Egypt. The Turin Canon credits him with a reign of 51 years.[6]
In the 14th year of his reign, an uprising occurred. This was probably connected with the conflict between Mentuhotep II based in Thebes and the rival 10th dynasty based at Herakleopolis.
During his reign, Mentuhotep was able to reunite ancient Egypt for the first time since the 6th dynasty. The exact date when reunification was achieved is not known, but it is assumed to have happened shortly before year 39 of his reign.[7]
Mentuhotep II also led military campaigns south into Nubia (in his 29th and 31st years), which had gained its independence during the First Intermediate Period. There is also evidence of military actions against Canaan. The king reorganized the country and placed a vizier at the head of the administration. The viziers of his reign were Bebi and Dagi. His treasurer was Khety who was involved in organising the sed festival for the king. Other important officials were the treasurer Meketre and the overseer of sealers Meru. His general was Intef
Mentuhotep II was buried in a large tomb he had constructed at Deir el-Bahri. Mentuhotep II built temples and chapels at several places in Upper Egypt. These places include Denderah, Abydos, Armant and Gebelein.[8]
Mentuhotep II was considered by his subjects to be divine, or half divine.
[edit] References
- ^ XIth Dynasty
- ^ Clayton, Peter A. Chronicle of the Pharaohs: The Reign-by-Reign Record of the Rulers and Dynasties of Ancient Egypt. Thames & Hudson. p. 72. 2006. ISBN 0-500-28628-0
- ^ Wendrick, Willike (2010). Egyptian Archaeology. Wiley-Blackwell. p. 151. ISBN 978-1405149884. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=WkUnROOHjnEC&pg=PA151&dq=Mentuhotep+II+wives+++buried&hl=en&ei=NtypTNDxK5TR4wa51aDBDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CD8Q6AEwBDgK#v=onepage&q=Mentuhotep%20II%20wives%20%20%20buried&f=false.
- ^ Török, László (2008). Between Two Worlds: The Frontier Region Between Ancient Nubia and Egypt 3700 BC - 500 AD. Brill. p. 83. ISBN 978-9004171978. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=irbP2hHqDAwC&pg=PA83&dq=Mentuhotep+II+wives&hl=en&ei=vtupTOavMZWL4Qai-Mm9DQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CDwQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=Mentuhotep%20II%20wives&f=false.
- ^ Ian Shaw, Oxford History of Ancient Egypt, p. 139.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Grajetzki, The Middle Kingdom, p. 19
- ^ Grajetzki, The Middle Kingdom, p. 20-21
[edit] Further reading
- W. Grajetzki, The Middle Kingdom of Ancient Egypt: History,Archaeology and Society, Duckworth, London 2006 ISBN 0-7156-3435-6, 18-23
- Labib Habachi: King Nebhepetre Menthuhotep: his monuments, place in history, deification and unusual representations in form of gods. Annales du Service des Antiquités de l'Égypte 19 (1963), p. 16-52
| Preceded by Intef III |
Pharaoh of Egypt Eleventh Dynasty |
Succeeded by Mentuhotep III |
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