Mentuhotep II

Mentuhotep II, king (ruled c. 2009–c. 1959 bce) of ancient Egypt’s 11th dynasty (c. 2080–c. 1940 bce) who, starting as the ruler of southernmost Egypt in about 2009 bce, reunified the country by defeating his rivals and ushered in the period known as the Middle Kingdom (c. 1980–c. 1760 bce). At his accession, Mentuhotep controlled Upper Egypt from Aswān to This, an ancient city about 90 miles (145 km) north of Thebes, his capital. He...